Ford Hopes to License Its Inflatable Shoulder Belt System

Ford Motor Co. is offering to license its inflatable shoulder belt technology to other carmakers.

The system, which debuted in the 2011 Ford Explorer crossover vehicle, consists of an accordion-folded airbag within the torso portion of the seatbelt assembly.

In a frontal crash, compressed gas stored in a cylinder below the seat inflates the airbag. The belt expands sideways across the wearer's chest, helping to absorb crash energy over five times as much surface area as a conventional belt.

Ford says the technology is especially useful in protecting children and elderly passengers. The company points out that the system could be used in non-automotive types of seated-passenger transportation, including military and airborne applications.

Ford is offering up other technologies for license too. Among them are a vehicle roll stability control system, technology that monitors a driver's attention level and a system for police vehicles that warns officers of unexpected approaches to their vehicle from the rear.