Volvo is well known for its technical achievements in terms of vehicle safety. In a press release regarding its new V40 the company has just announced the employment of the world’s first external airbag for pedestrian protection. The airbag resides under the rear lip of the bonnet. When a crash signal is received from the front bumper that resembles an impact with a pedestrian, the airbag will deploy and lift the bonnet upwards to reduce the impact. At the same time it will also cover up to a third of the windscreen – see video above (click on video tab) for visual representation.
