TRW Unveils Self-Adjusting Airbag for Rear Seats

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has debuted a unique U-shaped airbag designed to help protect rear-seat passengers.

TRW's rear seat airbag concept

The system deploys from the back of the front seat. TRW says the bag's unusual bowed shape enables it to provide cushioning regardless of the passenger's size or the position or rake of the front seatback.

TRW unveiled the concept at the Airbag 2014 conference in Karlsruhe, Germany, this week. The company also is showing its previously announced ceiling-mounted "bag-in-roof" concept airbag for rear-seat passengers. It says both systems will be ready for production in late 2017.

Finally, TRW used the conference to introduce a smaller and 35% lighter inflator system for side curtain airbags. The new design is intended for roof rail airbags in mini- to midsize vehicles. The system is designed specifically to meet the demands of European, Asian and emerging markets, according to the company.