40 Years, 90,000 Lives Saved

In 1977, Bosch began developing what became the industry’s first electronic controller for airbags.

(Images: Bosch)

Full-scale production began three years later (December 1980) for use in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

That makes the technology 40 years old, and Bosch is talking up the milestone.

By the Numbers

The supplier has steadily improved the airbag ECU over the years and seriously ramped up production as the number of airbags in vehicles continues to proliferate.

For those keeping score at home, here’s Bosch’s latest tally on related metrics:

• 250 million — the number of airbag ECUs Bosch has produced since 1980
• 1.8 million — crash simulations that new ECUs undergo during the development process
• 90,000 — estimated cumulative lives saved worldwide due to the deployment of airbags via Bosch controllers
• 60 — vehicle models outfitted with the first-generation system
• 48 — different restraint devices and functions that can be controlled by and integrated with the airbag ECU
• 12 — generations of Bosch airbag control technology
• 10 milliseconds — speed it takes to interpret crash event to determine if an airbag deployment is required
• 30 milliseconds — total time to fully deploy an airbag

Enhancements

Launched in 2017, the 12th-generation ECU is smaller, lighter and better performing than its predecessors, according to Bosch.

The first system consisted of three components—a voltage converter, energy reserve and control unit—comprised of a combined 170 parts. They managed the driver’s airbag and belt tensioner as well as optional systems for the front passenger.

Bosch’s latest controllers have half as many parts and can coordinate 48 restraint devices, including as many as nine airbags, multiple belt tensioners, rollover sensors and other safety-critical systems. Deployment can be tailored to the size and weight of an occupant.

A new algorithm based on kinetic energy absorption parameters was added to improve the accuracy of detecting crashes and rollovers, according to the supplier.

In addition to airbag deployment, the latest ECU also can trigger other systems. This includes sending a signal to cut fuel to the engine or disconnect the high‑voltage battery in an electric vehicle. Information also can be sent to emergency responders to notify them that an airbag has been deployed.

What’s Next?

Next-generation ECUs likely will become even more sophisticated as vehicles add new driver-assist technologies.

The sensors for these systems, Bosch notes, will provide more information to allow the ECUs to make better decisions and integrate more functions.

One example: automatically adjusting seats just prior to a collision to help position occupants to reduce injury risks. This will become more important as flexible seating and reconfigurable interiors start to be introduced in future robo-taxis and other highly automated vehicles.