The Prius C, I notice is equipped with 9 airbags. 2 of which are a Driver and Passengers seat cushion airbags. Evidently designed to deploy and raise the occupant to a "safer" height, or a height more aligned with all the rest of the safety airbags and equipment. I've never owned a vehicle with Bum raising airbags equipped. But? If it works it works. My question or concern would be thus. When I first saw the base model cloth upholestry on the Prius C, my first reaction was...I'd have to get Clazzio's... But wouldn't seat cushion airbags make seatcovers an impossibility? I can't imagine trying to either install them...or exactly how they would be manufactured to allow the airbags to work correctly. I've never owned or heard of a vehicle with such airbags installed. Does anyone have any familiarity? I would think it would complicate seat covers or even aftermarket upholestry work.
No...I listened to the Engineer at the introduction. The last video, longest presentation. The Airbags are under the front seat cushions, and designed to raise the occupants up slightly in case of a crash. Concievably to better align the occupant with other safety devices and airbags around them. Seat cover manufacturers are pretty careful to make break away portions to allow for side-airbag deployment in seats, but I can't even imagine how they could make a seat cushion cover that would work with these airbags. My fear being that if that is indeed the case, manufacturers won't even for legal reasons attempt to make or offer a cover. Inwhich case? I guess you either upgrade to Softex or learn to like the two-tone cloth. If Yaris does indeed have a similar set up? I will investigate a Yaris forum. Perhaps Yaris owners have already dealt with this situation.
SWAG here: Could it be that when the bags inflate the slight lift pushes the occupants securely against the seat belts. This would result in there being less/no slack in the belts. Occupant then best located for full effectiveness of other safety gear/systems. Are there any special warnings for pregnant women, persons with spinal issues?
It's certainly not the place most people need more padding... The theory doesn't sound totally crazy, but aren't most passenger safety systems designed to work with people of varying heights, shapes, and sizes? If seatcovers can be made to allow safe operation of side airbags from the seats, then they can probably be made to accommodate 'seat' bags...bun bangers?...butt bags?...whoopie cushions? Somehow, I can't see these things always politely referred to as just another airbag.
