ZF Lifetec has introduced the Active Heel Airbag, a new safety feature aimed at reducing the risk of foot and lower leg injuries for front-seat occupants in vehicles.
The airbag addresses concerns over unfavourable leg kinematics that arise when seats are moved into relaxed positions – such as autonomous driving scenarios.
Go deeper with GlobalData
This airbag is designed for when drivers not so engaged with driving – so it’s anticipating autonomous drive set-ups for the driver seat.
Sled tests have indicated that when front seats are pushed back, occupants may experience unfavourable leg kinematics, which can lead to injuries.
The Active Heel Airbag is engineered to work in tandem with the knee airbag, enhancing the effectiveness of the frontal restraint system, which includes the seat belt and front airbag.
The knee airbag’s role is to distribute some of the crash energy through the knees and thighs, necessitating that the feet are securely positioned in the footwell.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataHowever, when seats are adjusted to comfort positions, the necessary contact surface for the feet may become too distant.
The Active Heel Airbag addresses this by ensuring a stable heel impact point, even with the seats pushed back, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
In a press release, the company said its Active Heel Airbag technology aims to provide a consistent heel strike point and controlled knee path, which is crucial for energy transfer during a collision.
ZF Lifetec development head Harald Lutz said: “If the heel strike point is missing, the knees cannot be effectively deployed into the airbag and the knee airbag is less effective.
“The Active Heel Airbag helps to ensure an adequate heel impact point even in more comfortable seating positions.”
The airbag can also be used comfort positions on the driver’s side and can be activated via a button or an interior monitoring system.
By embedding the pedals, the system creates a uniform surface for the heel, minimising the risk of foot twisting or impact against the brake pedal.
The airbag deploys under the vehicle’s floor carpet, requiring no additional space while providing necessary support in the event of a crash.
ZF Lifetec has developed the technology for compatibility with various vehicle models, with availability slated for 2028.
