Ford Presents World's First Automotive Inflatable Seat Belts

Air bags of every type and size are continuing to make their way into our cars and from what we gather, it won't be long before we make the chubby Michelin man look under inflated with all those bags surrounding us in our vehicles. The latest development in the field of air bags is the introduction of the world's first automotive application of inflatable seat belts by Ford.

The Detroit automaker says that it has combined the attributes of traditional seat belts and air bags to provide a increased level of crash safety protection for the rear seat occupants.

"Ford's rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

If knock on wood you happen to be involved in a frontal or side crash, the seat belt's air-bags deploy in 40 milliseconds. According to Ford, the inflatable belt's increased diameter helps hold the occupant in a more appropriate seating position thus reducing the chances of injury.

The air-bag equipped seat belts will make their debut in 2010 on the next-generation Ford Explorer and will gradually find their way on other Ford models sold all over the world.