Heel Airbags to Debut in 2028

Cars could soon be fitted with airbags to protect feet.

German engineering giant ZF – best known for making transmissions – has announced the Active Heel Airbag, designed to reduce foot and leg injuries for front-row passengers.

Along with front, side, and curtain airbags, carmakers are increasingly introducing driver knee and centre airbags – with the latter helping to prevent injuries sustained when the occupants hit their heads together.

However, engineers apparently encountered problems with the effectiveness of the knee airbag due to another safety feature: When drivers are using cruise control, they tend to place their feet flat on the floor – often changing the position of the knees.

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“If the heel strike point is missing, the knees cannot be effectively deployed into the airbag and the knee airbag is less effective,” said Harald Lutz, head of development at ZF Lifetec.

But with the Active Heel Airbag, the location of the knees is more consistent and predictable.

“The Active Heel Airbag helps to ensure an adequate heel impact point even in more comfortable seating positions,” Lutz added.

According to ZF, the Active Heel Airbag is fitted into the footwell under the carpet, and is expected to be available to car manufacturers from 2028.