| Honda has developed a pop-up bonnet system
for pedestrian safety. Three sensors located inside the front bumper and
a vehicle speed sensor to determine if an impact with a pedestrian has
occurred signal an actuator to raise the rear portion of the engine bonnet
approximately 10cm. This provides a space between the bonnet, the engine
and other hard components to reduce pedestrian head injuries.
Use of the pop-up bonnet for pedestrian safety can cause approximately
a 40 per cent reduction in HIC (Head Injury Criteria) values, according
to Honda's internal research. This achieves a higher level of pedestrian
safety performance even in models where design considerations make it
difficult to provide ample clearance between the bonnet, the engine and
other hard components.
Honda first introduced its Pedestrian Injury Reduction Body technologies
with the HR-V in 1998, employing a body structure designed to reduce impact
to the head, the area of many life-threatening injuries. With the release
of the Civic in 2000, further measures were added to reduce harm to the
legs - a common injury location. Impact-absorbing structures are employed
in the engine bonnet, bonnet hinges, wiper pivots, front wings, bumpers
and other components. Currently, most Honda cars feature the Pedestrian
Injury Reduction Body technologies, with total sales of such models totalling
more than 3 million vehicles in Japan.
Honda has long been involved in research into safety technologies based
on real-world crash conditions. Particularly in the area of pedestrian-related
accidents, Honda has taken the lead over other manufacturers, unveiling
the world's first pedestrian dummy, the POLAR I, in 1998, to help clarify
the kinematics of accidents involving pedestrians and to support development
of pedestrian protection technologies. This was followed in 2000 by the
POLAR II, which features an even more human-like structure and is equipped
with sensing devices at more key points of measurement. Honda is committed
to the further development of technologies designed to help prevent accidents
involving pedestrians.
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