Evolution of safety systems in the automotive industry: From Passive to Active technologies

6 May

Since historical times, road safety has always been a priority for car manufacturers. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the development of safety systems, starting with passive measures and ending with active technologies that prevent accidents and reduce their consequences.

Passive safety systems:

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The first step in the development of car safety was connected with the introduction of passive protection systems. These systems are designed to minimize injuries to passengers in the event of an accident. Among the key elements of passive safety, it is worth noting:

Seat belts: They have become an integral part of car seats, ensuring the fixation of passengers during a collision.
Airbags: They were first introduced in cars to absorb impacts and protect the head and chest of passengers.
Crash energy absorption zones: Structural features of cars designed to dissipate and absorb energy in the event of an accident.
Safety frame: A strong body structure that ensures the stability of the car and the protection of passengers in the event of a collision.
Active security systems:
With the growth of technological capabilities, the automotive industry has moved to active systems aimed at preventing accidents or reducing their consequences. This includes:

Image source: https://www.spinny.com/blog/index.php/anti-lock-braking-system-technical-details-explained/

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System): Provides vehicle control when braking by preventing the wheels from locking and improving driver control.

Image source: https://ackodrive.com/car-guide/electronic-stability-control/


ESP (dynamic stabilization system): Detects and corrects the vehicle’s deviation from the set course to maintain stability on the road.
SRS (Collision Prevention System): Detects the possibility of a collision and initiates emergency braking or other measures to reduce its consequences.

Image source: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/photos/detail/adaptive-cruise-control-42099


Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically maintains a safe distance from other cars on the road, helping to avoid collisions.

Image source: https://www.dubizzle.com/blog/cars/park-assist-system/


Parking assistance systems: Detect obstacles around the vehicle and provide the driver with information for safe parking.

The future of security systems in the automotive industry lies in the further development of active technologies. This includes expanding the use of artificial intelligence to predict dangerous situations on the road, even more automated control systems, and the use of advanced sensors to enhance the safety of passengers and pedestrians.


With the development of security technologies, new challenges arise, such as cyber security and ethical issues related to autonomous systems. Ensuring protection against potential cyber-attacks on automotive systems is becoming increasingly important, as is the need for regulation to ensure safety and transparency in the operation of automated systems.

In general, the development of safety systems in the automotive industry demonstrates a constant effort to adapt to the growing safety requirements and technological progress, with the aim of ensuring a safe and comfortable ride for all road users.