While they might look like a simple part of a vehicle’s design, various technological advancements are helping bumpers to improve vehicle safety, function, and standards, providing safer roads for everyone. Continue reading to learn more about how a car interacts with its surroundings using modern bumpers and safety technology.
Energy Absorbing Materials for Impact Protection
A car’s bumper can determine the severity of a pedestrian’s injuries following a collision. Regulations require automobile manufacturers to design bumpers with the aim of reducing harm when a vehicle impacts a pedestrian. For this reason, many modern car bumpers feature energy-absorbing foam or soft materials for enhanced safety. To put this into perspective, the European New Car Assessment Programme estimates that modern bumpers can decrease injury risks by 30-40% in a low-speed pedestrian collision.
Active Safety Systems to Avoid Collisions
Some vehicle manufacturers have taken safety measures one step further by integrating modern bumper design into an active safety system. For example, the Toyota Yaris front bumper is designed to absorb impact to minimise injury, and some models even adjust the structure or height of its bumper once it detects the vehicle has impacted a pedestrian.
What’s more, the active safety systems feature cameras and radars near the bumper to identify a potential collision with a pedestrian or another vehicle before it happens, sending an alert to the driver to hit the brakes. Depending on the vehicle, a car may automatically apply the brakes to prevent a crash. It will provide peace of mind on the commute to work, a fun day out, or a fun road trip.
Other innovative safety features include rear-cross traffic alerts when the bumper detects approaching vehicles from the side, and adaptive cruise control that works with other sensors to help a driver maintain a safe distance from surrounding vehicles and road users.
Dedicated Short-Range Communications to Alert Drivers
Evolving technologies are doing much more than enhancing a vehicle’s design, as they are helping various makes and models communicate on the road. For instance, many car manufacturers are installing dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) technology into their front bumpers, as wireless technology enables various vehicles to communicate on the road.
According to AUTODOC on DSRC technology, “Direct short-range communications (DSRC) technology is essentially a wireless technology that allows nearby vehicles to directly communicate with one another, as well as with the surrounding infrastructure, without the need for a cellular network.”
As a result, it might inform a driver to slow down due to a car braking ahead of them, or it might notify them of hazards in the road, upcoming traffic jams, or when out-of-sight vehicles are fast approaching. As a driver will be more aware of the dangers on the road, they can adjust their speed and behaviour to reduce the likelihood of a collision. What’s more, the alerts could help drivers plan alternative routes to reduce congestion and prevent accidents from occurring.
Better Aerodynamics for Fuel Efficiency
In addition to enhancing safety standards, protecting pedestrians during a collision, and supporting vehicle-to-vehicle communication, modern bumpers are made with aerodynamics and aesthetic appeal in mind. As a result, the lighter and improved styling can help vehicles experience less drag on the road, helping to improve fuel efficiency each day.
Conclusion
Most people don’t give their car’s front bumper a second thought. While it can determine a vehicle’s design, it also plays a fundamental role in its safety, performance, and aerodynamics. As many are made from energy-absorbing materials and feature active safety systems and DSRC technology, they are creating safer, smarter roads for everyone.
Plus, future bumpers are likely to include more advanced technologies to help drivers avoid collisions and keep road users safe each day. For instance, they might feature more cameras and sensors to alert drivers and help them avoid potential hazards.