Global automotive manufacturers are relentlessly innovating to enhance vehicle safety by integrating advanced active and passive safety features.
The world’s first helmet-style airbag marks a groundbreaking advancement in this field. Integrated into the seat, this system is designed to protect the head, neck, shoulders, and spine of vehicle occupants.
Chinese Automaker Unveils World’s First Vehicle Equipped with Helmet-Style Airbag
This innovative system will debut with the Luxeed V9 minivan, the latest offering from the HIMA alliance, a joint venture between Huawei and Chery. This premium minivan is slated for market launch in the upcoming spring season.
Upon collision, the helmet airbag deploys, enveloping the occupant. It inflates around the head, neck, shoulders, and spine to prevent fractures. Images released by Chinese media showcase a cocoon-shaped balloon that deploys alongside side airbags.
Additionally, if the seat is reclined during travel, it automatically returns to an upright, safer position within milliseconds, based on signals from the ADAS system. This technology was first introduced by Yanfeng Automotive Interior Systems in 2023. The seats developed by this company feature large-angle tilt adjustment, rotation, and sliding capabilities.
Furthermore, in the event of an imminent collision, airbags integrated into the seatbelt protect the occupant’s torso, minimizing the whiplash effect caused by sudden impact, where the body is thrust forward while the head snaps back and forth.
The Luxeed V9 minivan, measuring 5.3 meters in length with a 3.2-meter wheelbase, is built on Chery’s modular E0X architecture, which also underpins models like the Exlantix ET and ES, as well as other Luxeed vehicles. The V9 will launch with Huawei-developed powertrain technology and an 800V high-voltage electrical system.
HIMA will introduce this model in both EV and EREV variants. Both versions are equipped with batteries supplied by CATL. The Luxeed V9 will join HIMA’s lineup alongside the S7 sedan and R7 SUV.
