Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Head Restraints With Airbags

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for head restraints with airbags that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on August 17^th, 2023, published on August 27^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 12071092.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has filed a bevy of patents exploring various places where it may install airbags in future vehicles, which makes sense given the safety improvement those types of parts provide. This list includes ideas for a full seatback airbag system, an airbag surrounding seatback, a seat bottom-mounted airbag system, and a seatback supported airbag system, to name just a few. Now, this newly published patent keeps adding to that list with a new idea for head restraints with airbags that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

In this instance, Ford proposes installing airbags in the head restraints of a vehicle, parts that are present to help prevent neck injuries and increase comfort for the driver and passengers. In this case, those restraints would double as the location for additional airbags and inflators, however, which would deploy in the event of an accident, providing another layer of protection for – in this case – rear seat occupants, specifically.

Interestingly, Ford points out in the patent that these head restraint airbags could also be configured to move along with the restraint, making it suitable for passengers of all sizes – an important distinction, given the fact that everyone from children to full-grown adults could be riding in the back of a vehicle. Given Ford’s seeming desire to add as many airbags to the inside (and in some cases, outside) of its future vehicles, we wouldn’t be surprised to see if come to reality one day, either.

We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.