Raising the hood in collisions with pedestrians helps mitigate impacts to the head
In the event of a collision between an automobile and a pedestrian, head injuries are the most likely to be life-threatening. To help mitigate the severity of such injuries, the Pop-up Hood System raises the hood to create space inside the engine compartment. In a collision, greater clearance between the hood and hard parts, such as the engine, helps mitigate the head injury criterion for pedestrians. This even applies to vehicle designs with low hoods.
Instant hood pop-up when a collision is detected
The Pop-up Hood System activates in the event of a front-on collision, such as a collision with a pedestrian, when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of approximately 25 km/h or faster. When a collision with a pedestrian is perceived by the information from a pressure sensor or speed sensors fitted inside the front bumper, or the way the bumper is crushed, the system triggers an actuator that raises the rear end of the hood around 100 mm before the pedestrian’s head hits the hood. Creating space inside the engine compartment helps mitigate the impact to the pedestrian’s head, even if the vehicle has a low hood, by making the hood easier to dent.
Pop-up Hood System configuration
Anticipating real-world conditions to advance original technologies for protecting pedestrians
Under its global safety slogan, “Safety for Everyone,” Honda aims to realize a collision-free society where not only drivers and riders, but everyone sharing the road, can safely and confidently enjoy the freedom of mobility .
This “Safety for Everyone” philosophy meant Honda was quick to engage in research into pedestrian safety. In 1995, the company developed an Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) to be used for research into pedestrian safety. It incorporated a shock-absorbing structure for the hood. In 1998, a vehicle body that absorbed head area impacts to reduce injury to pedestrians was developed. Measures were broadened to encompass pedestrian leg injuries in 2000.
To elucidate the mechanisms of accidents involving pedestrians and to develop
technologies to protect pedestrians, Honda developed the world’s first
pedestrian crash test dummy, POLAR I, in 1998. POLAR II, more closely resembling
the human body and with more parts for measuring data, followed in 2000. POLAR
III, developed in 2008, behaved like an actual human body would in a
collision.
Honda also built the world’s first indoor omnidirectional crash test facility in
2000. In this way, Honda has proactively advanced research and development of
original pedestrian protection technologies.
This ongoing cutting-edge activity and research led to the unveiling of Pop-up Hood System technology in 2004. This was incorporated into a production vehicle in 2008. The development involved using simulations and crash test facilities to conduct crash tests that mirrored the real world. The technology was the result of extensive examination anticipating collisions with pedestrians of different build and at varying impact angles and speed.
Pedestrian Crash Test Dummies
Indoor Omnidirectional Crash Test Facility
The Pop-up Hood System may not work depending on other conditions such as the position, angle, and vehicle speed at the time of the collision.