Ford Offering Patented Inflatable Seat Belts to Other Companies, Competitors

Ford Motor Co. is now offering its patented inflatable seat belts to other industries and companies, including competitors.

The Dearborn-based automaker today said it hopes the licensing leads to the wider adoption of inflatable safety belts as other automakers seek to enhance passenger safety.

"Ford's longstanding commitment to democratizing technology goes beyond our customers," said Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies, in a statement. "In this case, the wider adoption of inflatable safety belts has the potential to make travel safer and help mitigate passenger injuries – especially among children and the elderly."

According to Ford, its inflatable seat belt deploys over a vehicle occupant's torso and shoulder to help distribute crash forces up to five times more area than a traditional safety belt. Spreading the pressure over a larger area helps reduce pressure on the passenger's chest, and helps control head and neck motion.

Other than in the event of a crash, Ford says the inflatable safety belts operate like any other seat belt.

The inflatable seat belt, patented in 2008, is currently available on Ford Explorer, Flex, Fusion and the upcoming 2015 F-150, as well as Lincoln MKT and MKZ for outboard second-row seating positions.

Ford is not releasing how much it may cost another company to offer the inflatable safety belts. A Ford spokesman said it would likely be a private negotiation between the two companies.

Depending on the vehicle, Ford currently offers the inflatable safety belts as a stand-alone option for $195 or bundled with other technologies, including its Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, for $595.

Ford licenses thousands of patented products to other companies through its Ford Global Technologies LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary that manages all aspects of intellectual property for the Dearborn-based automaker.