Pedestrian safety is a central issue in automotive development, particularly in Europe where strict standards have governed vehicle design for two decades. Volkswagen presented an ingenious system on its ID.7 electric sedan. The principle: if a risk of collision with a pedestrian or cyclist is detected, the front hood of the car automatically raises a few centimeters. This action aims to cushion the possible impact of the pedestrian’s head against the car, thus reducing serious injuries.
A hood that lifts to avoid the worst
The German manufacturer’s video demonstration shows a vehicle equipped with this system, combined with an emergency braking function. When a dummy crosses the road in front of the ID.7, automatic braking is triggered and the hood instantly rises. If the impact is avoided, the hood returns to its initial position without manual intervention by the driver. This automatic retraction capability sets Volkswagen apart from other manufacturers offering active hoods, where manual replacement or a visit to a workshop is sometimes necessary.
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The concept of an active hood is not new. As early as 2006, Citroën equipped its C6 with such a device, meeting the first European standards known as “pedestrian shock”. Since then, many models have adopted this technology, but the addition of automated functions, as offered by Volkswagen, marks a notable evolution.
In Europe, safety standards require manufacturers to rethink car designs to minimize risks to pedestrians. These requirements even influence vehicle design, often to the detriment of aesthetics. At the same time, driver assistance systems, such as emergency braking or automatic seat belt tightening, complement these devices to offer maximum protection in the event of an accident.
Volkswagen’s ID.7 already integrates certain features of its “Proactive Pedestrian Protection System”, such as automatic closing of windows or activation of hazard lights in the event of imminent danger. However, the active hood system with automatic retraction is not yet commercially available. According to the manufacturer, this technology will be added in the future, without a specific date being announced.
Volkswagen and other brands like Tesla exemplify a trend: that of smarter safety, not only for the driver and their passengers, but also for those outside the vehicle who are most vulnerable. Of course, we will have to wait a little longer to see this technology arrive on our roads, but we can already welcome the effort: protecting pedestrians while preventing the driver from playing mechanics (or ambulance drivers) on the side of the sidewalk, i.e. ‘is a hell of a plus.
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