Abstract: A reusable system for cushioning impacts to a vehicle comprising: a bumper mounted via shock absorbers to the chassis of the vehicle; a remote sensor for detecting location and relative velocity of objects in proximity of the vehicle; a processor; a primary airbag mounted within the bumper, expandable outwards from some bumper upon inflation; an inflator for the primary airbag; a valve for releasing gas from the primary airbag and a retractor for compressing primary airbag, wherein a signal from processor indicating imminent impact triggers inflation of primary airbag beyond bumper protecting bumper and retractor collapses airbag for reuse.

Abstract: A reusable system for cushioning impacts to a vehicle includes a bumper mounted via shock absorbers (18) to the chassis (12) of the vehicle; a remote sensor means for detecting location and relative velocity of objects in proximity of the vehicle; a processor; a primary airbag (20) mounted within the bumper, expandable outwards from some bumper upon inflation; an inflation means for the primary airbag; a valve for releasing gas from the primary air bag and a retracting means for compressing primary airbag, wherein a signal from processor indicating imminent impact triggers inflation of primary airbag beyond bumper protecting bumper and retracting means collapses airbag for reuse.