Car safety technology has come a long way in recent decades, with airbags and seatbelts saving countless lives. But while upper-body protection has been the focus, injuries to feet and legs — though often non-fatal — remain common and can require lengthy recoveries. Now, a new innovation promises to change that.
A new kind of protection underfoot
German automotive safety specialist ZF Lifetec has developed what it calls the world’s first active heel airbag, a system designed to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries in the event of a crash.
As reported by El Economista, this device is embedded in the floor of the vehicle beneath the mat and inflates on impact to stabilize the heels of the driver and front passenger.
The concept addresses a previously overlooked safety gap. In relaxed or comfort seating positions, legs can flail dangerously during a crash, leading to ankle fractures, knee injuries, or worse. The heel airbag gives the body a firmer point of contact, allowing energy from the impact to be better distributed through the knees and thighs — areas better suited to absorb force.
Designed for the future of driving
In vehicles with higher levels of driving autonomy — particularly Levels 4 and 5 — occupants are expected to recline more freely. ZF’s new airbag is particularly aimed at those models. The device can be triggered either automatically via seat position sensors or manually, offering additional protection even before an accident occurs.
The company says the system is set to enter the market starting in 2028. Initial tests show promising reductions in foot and leg injuries, which are typically painful and expensive to treat, even when they don’t threaten life.
While heel injuries may not have drawn the same attention as head trauma or chest impact, this innovation underscores how nuanced and holistic modern car safety is becoming — down to the soles of your feet.
