Frost: Vehicle Safety Legislation Boosts Demand for Passive Safety Systems

October 2, 2006 // Published as a news service by IHS

Growing customer awareness of the need for enhanced safety, the implementation of legislation, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) and technological advances are crucial factors fueling the installation of emerging passive safety systems in vehicles.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the European market for emerging passive safety systems such as whiplash protection, occupant sensing and advanced restraint systems is showing significant growth.

Recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan found that European markets for whiplash protection, occupant sensing and advanced restraint systems earned revenues of $2.51B in 2005, with estimates to reach $3.21B in 2015.

"Despite the market being mature and commoditized, new safety systems are being developed that focus on safety, as well as comfort features," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Vinay Joshi. "New sensing applications, greater need for information and further integration of various active and passive safety systems are creating opportunities for the development of advanced passive safety systems."

Analysts said providing safety for rear-seat occupants remains a concern for market participants today. While side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners are the only safety systems that offer protection to rear-seat occupants, their installation in rear seats continues to be insignificant. Yet another challenge faced by market participants is the very short product differentiation life cycle of the safety features of systems.

"As legislation and Euro NCAP protocols often pursue accelerated penetration of these safety systems, they are rapidly becoming commodity features," said Joshi. "Hence, vehicle manufacturers will need to continuously adapt to evolving market needs and introduce advanced safety features to offer product differentiation," he said.

"In view of the need to offer safety in rear-end collision, the market is witnessing increasing emphasis on whiplash protection systems," said Anil Valsan, program manager at Frost & Sullivan.

"In addition, high costs related to whiplash injuries, combined with the anticipated Euro NCAP protocol on whiplash system testing, together with growing pressure from insurance agencies are driving an increase in the installation of these systems," Valsan said.

Subsequently, whiplash protection systems are expected to experience a high penetration rate by 2015 and will be available in one out of every two cars.

Meanwhile, costs of unintended deployment of airbags, the Euro NCAP protocol on seatbelt reminder (SBR) systems and the existing inconsistency in the use of seatbelts are promoting greater demand for occupant sensing systems.

Analysts said SBR and occupant detection systems (ODS) enjoy greater popularity in comparison to occupant classification systems (OCS) which offer less utility. While driver SBRs exhibit prominence, the expected installation of SBR in front and rear seats will contribute to further growth.

Analysts said as the seating position of occupants is the primary cause of most injuries they sustain, advanced restraint systems such as multi-stage airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners are being developed to ensure better occupant restraining capability at the peak of a collision's impact.

In view of the above trends, analysts said passive safety systems are expected to evolve into "intelligent" systems that can adapt to a collision scenario and correct the occupants' seating position, thus ensuring correct deployment of the system.

Source: Frost & Sullivan.