When we think of the main safety devices installed in vehicles which are designed for driver and passenger protection, the first thing which comes to many peoples’ minds is the airbag. Airbags are primarily used as a safety device for drivers and passengers. When a crash or any sort of notable impact occurs, there are certain sensors within vehicles which register these events. These sensors correspond directly with airbags installed in the vehicle which are contained in the airbag electronic controller unit, also known as the “ECU.”
Any new car you buy is required to be equipped with airbags according to federal regulations. But, airbags haven’t been around all that long. Airbags were first introduced in the 1970s with limited success and broad based commercial use of airbags didn’t start in the market until the late 1980s and early 1990s. Therefore, relatively speaking, airbags are somewhat modern technology.