With the evolution of future mobility technology leading to diverse vehicle forms, safety technologies designed to protect passengers are also being advanced. A prime example of this is the technological development of airbags, a key safety component in vehicles. Amid this trend, Hyundai Mobis has garnered global attention with its newly developed technologies that surpass foreign products in the airbag module and safety components sector, which had previously been dominated by overseas manufacturers.
The ‘Head Rotation Prevention Airbag’ developed by Hyundai Mobis achieved a perfect score in the ‘Head Rotation Injury’ category of a new crash safety test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This technology reduces injuries caused by head rotation during a vehicle collision and has demonstrated exceptional performance in the upcoming ‘Oblique Collision Mode’ test, which reflects real accident scenarios.
This innovation has been recognized for its outstanding technology and originality, earning the Gold Tower Industrial Medal in the ‘New Technology Commercialization Promotion Competition’ hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Currently, airbags and similar products from competing companies installed in mass-produced vehicles are limited in their ability to prevent passenger head rotation and injuries, as they primarily focus on improving performance through cushion size and airbag shape alone.
In contrast, the new airbag technology features a protruding section (auxiliary chamber) that suppresses head rotation and optimizes pressure in this area just as the passenger in the accompanying seat is thrust toward the inside of the vehicle upon impact, showcasing remarkable efficacy in reducing head injuries. In the development process, Hyundai Mobis utilized numerous patented technologies registered and applied for domestically and internationally, reducing the number of components and product size to make it suitable for mass production through weight reduction.
Hyundai Mobis’ advancement in airbag technology development is gaining heightened attention, particularly in relation to future mobility trends such as autonomous driving and electrification. Unlike conventional internal combustion vehicles where airbag placement is standardized, autonomous vehicles represented by PBV (Purpose-Based Mobility) will have significantly more varied seating arrangements for passengers, as well as diverse deployment positions and methods for airbags.
In response, Hyundai Mobis has developed a ‘Total Airbag Package’ for future PBVs aimed at leisure, relaxation, and outdoor purposes. This system places airbags in various niche spaces within the vehicle to accommodate a variable interior layout where a large display is projected on the vehicle’s window and seats rotate in accordance.
Firstly, the ‘Face-to-Face Airbag’ deploys from the center of the vehicle’s roof to prevent collisions between facing passengers. The ‘Curtain Airbags’ deploy from the four connection points between the windows and the roof, covering all directions within the cabin. Additionally, the ‘Omni-Directional Airbag’ operates from both sides of the back of the seat to provide a protective shield around the passengers.
Hyundai Mobis has also developed a ‘Slim Airbag’ that is 40% thinner than traditional airbags to fit the structural changes of electrified vehicles, which differ significantly from internal combustion models. The Slim Airbag can be effectively installed in the thin spaces of variable display panels or slim seat sides.
When mounted to a display, the airbag’s capacity can be adjusted based on its position, optimizing passenger protection performance in accordance with the distance between the driver and the display. The innovative future cockpit ‘M.VICS 4.0’ featuring the Slim Airbag received praise during its exhibition at a ‘Private Booth’ targeted at global buyers during CES.
Since starting airbag mass production in 2002, Hyundai Mobis has developed and produced key components such as cushions, controllers, and crash sensors. Building on bold investments and accumulated technical expertise, the company pioneered the world’s first panoramic sunroof airbag technology in 2017 and is currently working on mass production. Hyundai Mobis aims to lead the field of safety solutions in future mobility by securing intellectual property rights related to airbag technology from various angles.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr