Swedish carmaker Volvo, is renowned for it vehicle safety, but now it seems it is also turning its attention to pedestrians. The company is introducing new pedestrian airbags on the new V40 model, which it hopes can help reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

Unveiled at last months Geneva Motor Show, the new airbag is located under the bonnet at the base of the windscreen. If a pedestrian impact is detected by the sensor system, it will trigger this part of the bonnet to pop up slightly and a U-shaped airbag will deploy from underneath, forming a cushion around the base and sides of the windscreen and A-pillars.

The major drawback of the new airbag system is that it is only effective at low speeds (under 35kph). However, the airbag is only part of a wider system designed to reduce danger to pedestrians. Using external radar location sensors, the vehicle equipped with Volvo IntelliSafe can detect if there is an object or person that is in danger of being hit. The driver is warned and brakes are automatically engaged.