Fender Bender Ender

[Archean]

Airbags on the inside of cars have become pretty much the standard now, even if some people still believe they do more harm than good. So what’s the next step in automobile safety? Why, exterior airbags, of course. This slightly ridiculous-looking concept is called Easpace, and it proposes to keep your car’s paint job and body from getting scuffed up in an accident while keeping you and your family a little safer than before. It would do this by deploying funny little external airbags whenever a collision is imminent, cushioning your car from the impact so that you save on a body shop bill and feel less of a jolt from inside the car.

 

[PhilFrisbie]

I really doubt an airbag could be strong enough to support this.

Also, if the airbag WAS strong enough, then you would STILL get crush damage in all but the slowest of crashes unless the car bumpers were beefed up in the entire area of the airbag.

 

[kajabla]

It would prevent minor bumper mashing.

 

[Archean]

I don't think it is aimed at preventing damage in case of major accidents any way, however, minor bumps etc. as kaj pointed out will at least not damage anything

 

[Pyree]

If both car detects imminent collision and they both generates a strong magnetic field of the same pole, that will be a different story.

 

[13thmonkey]

a tow bar makes people behind pay more attention.

fords new infotainmet system can provide sports results, why... when you are in the drivers seat you are driving, period.

 

[Archean]

@Pyree
Even then Newton's 3rd Law of physics will come into play, i.e. Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction.

 

[Clob]

This may work, however, whats cheaper, a bumper or a really expensive airbag?

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

Exactly. Air bags are a use-once item. Replacement costs would exceed the cost of repair for a "minor bump".

Besides, what happens of a kid runs his bike into one of those? The bag may cause more harm then good.

Instead, how about bumpers that arnt crumple zones and made of steal like the 80's! Oh ya.

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

Here is my fender-bender ender:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marauder_(vehicle)