Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Size - By Technology, By Airbag Placement, By Vehicle, By Deployment Mechanism, By Sale Channel, Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Size

The global pedestrian protection airbag market size was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2025 and 2034, due to the integration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and collision avoidance technologies. These integrations improve the efficiency of pedestrian safety features in vehicles.
 

ADAS includes technologies such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection systems, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, which help drivers make safer decisions, maintain better control of the vehicle, and avoid accidents. When combined with pedestrian protection airbags, these systems significantly enhance the prevention of injuries in pedestrian accidents.
 

For instance, in May 2024, Epiroc launched the fourth generation of its Titan Collision Avoidance System (CAS), a significant advancement aimed at enhancing safety and operational efficiency in mining environments. This new iteration incorporates several key improvements designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry. The system combines low-frequency, time-of-flight, and sub-GHz RF technologies to improve vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian detection. This multi-faceted approach enhances the system's ability to identify potential collision scenarios effectively.
 

The increasing number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries is another key factor driving the demand for pedestrian protection airbags. As urbanization progresses worldwide, pedestrian traffic has grown, particularly in crowded cities where roads are shared by vehicles and pedestrians. This has resulted in a rise in pedestrian accidents, leading to more fatalities and severe injuries.
 

Traffic safety data indicates that pedestrian deaths are a significant concern, especially in developed regions like the United States, European countries, and rapidly urbanizing areas in Asia. This public safety issue has raised awareness among regulators, vehicle manufacturers, and consumers, encouraging the adoption of advanced safety solutions such as pedestrian protection airbags.
 

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Trends

The adoption of pedestrian protection airbags in mass-market vehicles is increasing, marking a notable change in the automotive industry. Previously, these airbags were primarily available in luxury vehicles due to their high costs. However, advancements in manufacturing have reduced costs, enabling automakers to include these safety features in more affordable models. This trend is expected to grow as global regulatory bodies, particularly in Europe and Asia, implement stricter pedestrian safety standards.
 

For instance, Euro NCAP has updated its safety protocols to prioritize pedestrian protection, driving demand for vehicles equipped with these airbags. As a result, pedestrian airbags are becoming more common in mid-range vehicles, expanding their presence in the market.
 

Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on sustainability in vehicle design by developing lightweight airbags. These airbags aim to reduce environmental impact while maintaining their effectiveness. This trend is part of a broader shift toward sustainable automotive technologies, driven by consumer preferences and regulatory efforts to lower vehicle carbon emissions. This emphasis on sustainability is also encouraging the adoption of pedestrian protection airbags, highlighting a commitment to improving vehicle safety and reducing environmental impact.
 

Technological challenges are major obstacles to the growth of the pedestrian protection airbag market. These safety systems require advanced technology and precise implementation. A key issue is ensuring airbags deploy reliably in real-time during pedestrian collisions. The effectiveness of these airbags depends on accurately and quickly detecting pedestrians, which is difficult due to unpredictable pedestrian movements, changing environmental conditions, and varying accident scenarios.
 

The sensors can also face difficulties in poor weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or snow, or in low visibility, which can reduce their ability to detect pedestrians in time to activate the airbags. This creates challenges in ensuring consistent performance under all real-world conditions.
 

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Analysis

Based on air placement, the market is segmented into hood airbag, side airbag, and front bumper airbag system. In 2024, the hood airbag segment held a market share of over 56% and is expected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2034. Hood airbags account for a significant share of the airbag placement segment in the pedestrian protection airbag market due to their effectiveness in protecting pedestrians during collisions. This is particularly important in urban areas, where pedestrian accidents are more common.
 

These airbags act as a cushion between the vehicle’s hard surfaces, such as the windshield, hood, and engine bay, and the pedestrian, helping to reduce the risk of serious head and chest injuries. When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, they often hit the front end, including the windshield, roof pillars, or hood, which can cause severe injuries. Hood airbags are designed to deploy from the vehicle’s hood or engine compartment, covering these areas to absorb impact forces and lower the chances of fatal injuries.
 

Based on the vehicle, the pedestrian protection airbag market is divided into passenger cars, off highway vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The passenger cars segment held around 58.5% of the market share in 2024, due to their high production levels, widespread use, and increasing focus on safety. These vehicles are the most common type on the roads, representing a large portion of global vehicle sales.
 

As urbanization grows and pedestrian traffic increases in cities, pedestrian-related accidents have become more frequent, making pedestrian protection systems in passenger cars essential. The high rate of such accidents, particularly in urban areas with dense pedestrian populations, has increased the demand for technologies that reduce injuries and improve safety.
 

Europe dominated the global pedestrian protection airbag market with a major share of over 34% in 2024, owing to its leadership in automotive manufacturing, strict regulations, and focus on advanced vehicle safety technologies. As one of the largest automotive hubs globally, Germany is home to major car manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. These companies have been leaders in developing and adopting innovative safety features, including pedestrian protection airbags.
 

Germany's strong automotive industry not only promotes the use of these airbags domestically but also influences global market trends, as its automakers often set safety standards adopted in other regions.
 

The demand for pedestrian protection airbags is increasing in the Asia Pacific region due to factors such as rapid urbanization, growing pedestrian traffic, stricter safety regulations, and the adoption of advanced automotive technologies. As one of the most densely populated regions globally, Asia Pacific is experiencing a rise in the number of vehicles, leading to higher traffic congestion and more pedestrian accidents. With urbanization accelerating in many countries, pedestrian traffic is particularly high in cities, emphasizing the need for improved safety features like pedestrian protection airbags to reduce injuries and fatalities during collisions.
 

The demand for pedestrian protection airbags in North America is increasing due to factors such as rising pedestrian fatalities, greater awareness of vehicle safety, stricter regulatory standards, and advancements in automotive technologies. In the United States, urban expansion, growing traffic congestion, and a rising population have contributed to an increase in pedestrian accidents. This trend highlights the need for technologies that can reduce the severity of injuries during collisions. Pedestrian protection airbags, designed to cushion the impact between vehicles and pedestrians, play a critical role in minimizing injuries and preventing fatalities, making them an essential feature in modern vehicles.
 

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Share

Bosch and Autoliv collectively held a substantial market share of over 12% in the pedestrian protection airbag industry in 2024. Bosch and Autoliv hold a significant share in the Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market due to their extensive experience in automotive safety systems and strong technological expertise.
 

Both companies have been leaders in developing advanced airbag technologies, including pedestrian protection airbags and continue to innovate by offering solutions that integrate smoothly with other safety systems like ADAS. Their substantial investments in research and development, along with a wide range of products designed to meet changing regulatory requirements, have reinforced their positions as key players in the market.
 

ZF and Continental are making significant investments in research and development to improve their airbag technologies, focusing on pedestrian safety. They are integrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with pedestrian protection airbags, adding features like pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Both companies have established strong partnerships with major automakers to incorporate their technologies into future vehicles. They are also expanding their global manufacturing operations to meet the growing demand for safety systems.
 

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Market Companies

Major players operating in the pedestrian protection airbag industry are:

• Audi
• Autoliv
• Bosch
• Continental
• Denso
• Ford
• Honda
• Hyundai
• Joyson Safety Systems
• Lexus
   

Pedestrian Protection Airbag Industry News

• In July 2024, Sumitomo Electric Industries announced the launch of its NEXUSEYE millimeter-wave sensors, designed specifically for pedestrian detection. It will be available from October 2024, and these advanced sensors aim to enhance safety by providing high accuracy in detecting pedestrians even during night-time and adverse weather conditions. The NEXUSEYE sensors can detect pedestrians at a distance of up to 60 meters with nearly 100% accuracy, making them highly effective in low visibility situations such as rain or fog
   
• In April 2023, Raythink launched its innovative augmented reality head-up display (AR HUD), utilizing the proprietary OpticalCore PGU and wave-layer 3D display technology. This groundbreaking system aims to enhance the driving experience by providing critical information directly onto the windshield, allowing drivers to remain focused on the road. The AR HUD includes functionalities such as lane departure warning (LDW), pedestrian collision warning (PCW), and forward collision warning (FCW), all powered by artificial intelligence. This integration provides real-time traffic information and alerts, contributing to safer driving conditions
   

The pedestrian protection airbag market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($Bn) and shipments (units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Technology

• Sensor-based detection system
• AI-powered pedestrian recognition
• Automatic emergency braking integration
• Pre-collision assistance system

Market, By Airbag Placement

• Hood airbags
• Side airbags
• Front bumper airbag systems

Market, By Vehicle

• Passenger cars
  • Sedan
  • SUV
  • Hatchback 
• Commercial vehicle
  • LCV
  • HCV
• Off highway vehicle

Market, By Deployment Mechanism

• Sensor-based system
• Crash detection system

Market, By Sales Channel

• OEM
• Aftermarket

The above will be provided for following countries and regions:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada 
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Nordics
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia