Toyota develops airbag first

Toyota has developed a rear window air bag to updgrade protection for back-seat passengers, the company said Tuesday.

In the event of a rear-end collision, the air bag is ejected from the roof lining above the rear window and spreads like a curtain to protect the heads of the rear passengers, Toyota Motor Corp. said in a statement.

Toyota said the rear window curtain-shield air bag is the world's first.

The new safety gear will debut in the "iQ" compact four-seater vehicle, to be introduced later this year, Toyota said, adding that the air bag is expected to double the safety of rear passengers.

As part of an effort to attract buyers, Toyota has tried to make side air bags and shield air bags standard features, and has said it plans to increase efforts to develop safer vehicles and technologies
that can ultimately eliminate traffic casualties.