This is one of my favorite commercials of all time. When it first aired, I was 9 and scared of airbags, so ironically it would have probably been my least favorite commercial back then!
This ad advertised the 3rd generation, multi-stage airbag. A very rudimentary version of multi-stage airbag technology was actually used in the 1970s GM Air Cushion Restraint System, but it made a comeback in the early-mid 2000s and is now used on almost all cars. A multi-stage airbag reduces the risk of airbag-caused injuries. They can inflate with two or more different force levels. The Lexus/Toyota system advertised had three force levels.
There are actually five different generations of airbags. Keep in mind that within each generation of airbags, there are vast differences from design to design.
ACRS: The optional GM system, intended to be used in lieu of the shoulder seat belt. Used on vehicles sold to the public from 1973-1976, but some experimental systems from the late 1960s to early 1980s also utilized this idea.
1st Generation: The original "Mike Tyson" airbags. Pioneered by the Mercedes SRS system in 1980, and used on airbag-equipped vehicles prior to 1998.
2nd Generation: In 1998, cars switched to "depowered" airbags. This was a watershed year; almost all '97s had 1st generation airbags, whereas almost all '98s had depowered airbags; a few vehicles waited until 1999. Most 1998-2003 vehicles had these airbags; some had them as late as 2006.
3rd Generation: These airbags can inflate with multiple force levels, but most systems cannot shut off the passenger airbag.
This is a "catch-all" category that includes various systems, ranging from systems that only take into account crash severity (which might be called "2.5" generation airbags) to those systems that take into account crash severity, belt use, seat position, and passenger weight and actually are certified advanced, but use "low risk deployment" if there is not enough weight on the seat rather than deactivating the system entirely (these might be called "3.5" generation airbags). These systems have been used in various vehicles from the late 1990s to present; they were most common in the mid 2000s.
4th Generation: These airbags are Certified Advanced Airbags, and can deactivate the front passenger airbag. Used in various vehicles from the early 2000s to present.
Some examples of each type:
ACRS: 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado
1st Generation: 1994 Honda Accord
2nd Generation: 1998 Honda Accord
3rd Generation: 2003 Honda Pilot (airbag takes into account crash severity and belt use, cannot shut off passenger airbag)
2005 Toyota Avalon (can shut off passenger airbag, but not certified advanced)
2013 Dodge Dart (certified advanced, can not shut off passenger airbag)
4th generation: 2011 Honda Accord
This ad advertised the 3rd generation, multi-stage airbag. A very rudimentary version of multi-stage airbag technology was actually used in the 1970s GM Air Cushion Restraint System, but it made a comeback in the early-mid 2000s and is now used on almost all cars. A multi-stage airbag reduces the risk of airbag-caused injuries. They can inflate with two or more different force levels. The Lexus/Toyota system advertised had three force levels.
There are actually five different generations of airbags. Keep in mind that within each generation of airbags, there are vast differences from design to design.
ACRS: The optional GM system, intended to be used in lieu of the shoulder seat belt. Used on vehicles sold to the public from 1973-1976, but some experimental systems from the late 1960s to early 1980s also utilized this idea.
1st Generation: The original "Mike Tyson" airbags. Pioneered by the Mercedes SRS system in 1980, and used on airbag-equipped vehicles prior to 1998.
2nd Generation: In 1998, cars switched to "depowered" airbags. This was a watershed year; almost all '97s had 1st generation airbags, whereas almost all '98s had depowered airbags; a few vehicles waited until 1999. Most 1998-2003 vehicles had these airbags; some had them as late as 2006.
3rd Generation: These airbags can inflate with multiple force levels, but most systems cannot shut off the passenger airbag.
This is a "catch-all" category that includes various systems, ranging from systems that only take into account crash severity (which might be called "2.5" generation airbags) to those systems that take into account crash severity, belt use, seat position, and passenger weight and actually are certified advanced, but use "low risk deployment" if there is not enough weight on the seat rather than deactivating the system entirely (these might be called "3.5" generation airbags). These systems have been used in various vehicles from the late 1990s to present; they were most common in the mid 2000s.
4th Generation: These airbags are Certified Advanced Airbags, and can deactivate the front passenger airbag. Used in various vehicles from the early 2000s to present.
Some examples of each type:
ACRS: 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado
1st Generation: 1994 Honda Accord
2nd Generation: 1998 Honda Accord
3rd Generation: 2003 Honda Pilot (airbag takes into account crash severity and belt use, cannot shut off passenger airbag)
2005 Toyota Avalon (can shut off passenger airbag, but not certified advanced)
2013 Dodge Dart (certified advanced, can not shut off passenger airbag)
4th generation: 2011 Honda Accord
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