ZF Lifetec Unveils World’s First Foot Airbag

What used to be a novelty reserved for the high-end brands back in the day, airbags have become a staple nowadays, thanks to the more stringent vehicle regulations and crash tests. While six or eight airbags are becoming more common in most new cars today, we could see an additional airbag coming soon.

ZF debuts the world's first dedicated foot airbag, known as the ZF Lifetec Active Heel Airbag.

That is because renowned German automotive equipment manufacturer ZF has unveiled the world’s first foot airbag technology, known as the ZF Lifetec Active Heel Airbag. This new foot airbag will serve as a supplement to the knee airbag, providing occupants with better protection during uneventful crashes.

Before we get into the details, it is important to understand how a knee airbag works first. The knee airbag itself was created to complement both the frontal airbag and seat belts, as it helps to transfer some of the restraint energy from these two components to the knees and thighs. For knee airbags to work properly, however, it is necessary to ensure that the feet remain securely positioned in the footwell during a crash.

That is where the new foot airbag comes in, where it helps to ensure a stable heel impact point, even when the occupants or drivers are sitting in a relaxed position during the event of crashes.

This also ensures that the knee joint can enter the knee airbag at the most favourable angle, thanks to the secure support of the heel in the footwell. This allows a large proportion of the crash energy to be absorbed by the car's structure via the thigh, which houses the largest and strongest bone in a human body.

"If the heel contact point is missing, the knees can hardly be effectively immersed in the airbag, and the knee airbag does not achieve its full effect," explains Harald Lutz, Head of Development at ZF Lifetec. 

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

According to ZF, the new ZF Lifetec Active Heel Airbag can be integrated directly into the footwell without taking up any additional space. In the event of a crash, the airbag inflates under the vehicle's floor carpet, providing the necessary heel stability and protection. More importantly, this foot airbag can be easily adapted in any kind of vehicle worldwide, where it will be available in the market from 2028 onwards.