Hyundai Mobis Develops Sunroof Airbag

South Korea’s Hyundai Mobis Co. has developed what it describes as the industry’s first airbag for panoramic sunroofs that extend over most of the passenger compartment.

The system, which is attached to the inside of the sunroof mechanism, is designed to prevent occupants from being ejected through the sunroof in a rollover accident. The airbag also cushions a person’s head from roof impacts to help reduce serious injuries to minor ones, according to Hyundai Mobis.

A sensor determines if a vehicle is in a rollover accident based on its lateral orientation and triggers the sunroof airbag to be inflated. The airbag can be deployed in in 0.08 seconds—whether the sunroof is open or closed—to cover the entire unit, according to the supplier.

Hyundai Mobis claims 11 patents related to the technology. The company completed road and reliability testing earlier this month and says it is now is ready for mass-production applications. The initial marketing focus will be on premium SUVs.