45. The expert from Japan updated GRSP on the progress of their work on safety guidelines for express buses with full-flat seats (GRSP-77-28). Answering a question from the expert from the Republic of Korea, he expanded on their use of dummies and their limitations and their plans on using simulation models. GRSP asked him to keep it informed of the progress of their work.

46. The expert from France presented informal document GRSP-77-32 to open a discussion on the durability of airbags and other pyrotechnic systems installed in vehicles. The discussion had already been introduced in the last session of WP.29 and was sparked by a safety problem linked to airbags affecting more than 30 car brands and having caused millions of recalls. The expert from CLEPA informed GRSP that they had already started a research project to determine how to best prevent these issues in the future. He explained that they were taking a two-step approach, focusing on the stability of the propellant and on its handling. He informed GRSP that they would share a technical guidance document as soon as it was ready. The expert from Spain was in favour of addressing the problem within a dedicated automotive group like WP.29 and its working parties rather than in other horizontal fora.

47. The expert from France presented informal document GRSP-77-40-Rev.1 to discuss motorcyclist protection and wearable airbags. The expert from the United Kingdom indicated that he would check for national data and previous research. The expert from IMMA stressed the importance of wearing certified protections. On the specific topic of wearable airbags, he explained that technology is currently evolving and that one key area was the reliability of algorithms used to automatically deploy the airbags, in order to avoid misfirings. The expert from Spain cited a legislative initiative by his country’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) to mandate the use of gloves and closed shoes.