Is it possible to reinvent the driver airbag?

Starting from the assumption that the steering wheel has become a central element of vehicle interiors, ZF has rethought the deployment of the airbag.

Since the introduction of driver airbags in the 1980s, they have maintained their position at the center of the steering wheel, housed in the hub. But for 40 years, the steering wheel has evolved from being merely an interface between the driver and the car for transmitting steering commands. It has gradually become the control center for entertainment and assistance functions in modern cars. It was time to rethink the overall concept of this tool that combines functionality and safety, and ZF has designed a new generation of steering wheels to expand the possibilities of future-oriented concepts.

A Screen Instead of the Airbag

The driver airbag is now deployed from the center of the steering wheel, which prevents any placement of controls in this area. To free up this surface, ZF has designed a driver airbag that deploys from the top of the steering wheel, through the upper rim, towards the driver. This new position allows the horizontal radius, including the hub, to have a transparent design, similar to that of a smartphone. The vehicle’s entertainment and assistance controls are integrated behind a continuous surface. This design fits perfectly into the digital dashboards of modern vehicle interiors.

One can now imagine various uses for this genuine additional touchscreen benefiting from capacitive technology. Take the example of Tesla, which has done away with the driver screen. It could soon find itself at the center of the steering wheel.

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