Honda offers quicker, safer inflating air bag

TOKYO — Honda has developed an air bag that inflates quicker and reduces the impact of a crash, the Japanese automaker said Thursday.

Tokyo-based Honda Motor Co. said its new air bag is the world's first that inflates in stages, mitigating the force of its deployment.

The new air bag will be introduced in the Life minicar, which goes on sale in Japan in November. Overseas sales plans are undecided as regulations vary, especially for the U.S., said senior manager Koichi Kamiji.

Europe may get the air bag as early as next year, he said.

The new air bag inflates to a safe size in 0.015 seconds. Current air bags take 0.030 seconds, according to Honda.

Honda also unveiled a camera system that shows blind-spots for the driver on a car-navigation monitor.

The system, which uses cameras in the front, sides and rear of a vehicle, will be offered in the Odyssey minivan, set to go on sale next month in Japan. Overseas plans are undecided.

Nissan Motor Co. already offers a similar system.