Toyota Develops New Airbag for Backseat Passengers

TOKYO, Japan -- Toyota Motor Corp. announced today it has developed a rear-window airbag to improve protection for back-seat passengers.

In a rear-end collision, the airbag ejects from the roof lining above the rear window and spreads like a curtain to protect the heads of the rear passengers. Combined with the headrests, the airbag minimizes impact to the head from a colliding vehicle or parts from that vehicle. These protective measures help reduce the severity of injuries.

The new air bag will debut in the iQ compact four-seat vehicle, which the automaker will introduce later this year. The iQ will be sold in the Japanese market.