Volvo Releases Pedestrian Airbag

Quick, when you think Volvo, what's the first word that comes to mind? Ok, besides boring... and perhaps beyond reliable... yes, that's it... SAFE! Having spent decades researching how to increase their customers' chances of surviving a wreck, Volvo appears to have turned that gaze outwards now, and will be releasing the first ever pedestrian airbag on the new Volvo V40 station wagon. 

A stunningly simple idea that involves an airbag deploying from the trailing edge of the hood to cover the A-pillars and windscreen, the system works in concert with the car's already exemplary (and amazing) collision detection and avoidance systems, and is an interesting solution to the problem of ever-tightening European Union pedestrian safety standards.