I remember when Ralph Nader was writing "Unsafe at any speed" there was one example where an occupant was killed by a pot metal radio knob. A belt line pressurized bumper, extending completely around the vehicle would mitigate all kinds of low speed impact damage.
When the impact involved a pedestrian or bike the ability to reduce the highest g forces of that impact would reduce injuries and an exterior design like Basjoos' Honda would minimize the damage even further.
2 million people have died in the US in my lifetime in road accidents, many more seriously injured. Last years road deaths were the lowest since 1949, the year before I was born. Road fatalities are close to half of their previous highest levels.
Remember the "sparrow strainer" hood ornaments.
I ride a bike and completely understand the point made in the previous post, but the fact is you will eventually be involved with a stupid vehicle operator. Minimizing the damage both physical and vehicular is not going to make drivers better drivers, but it might make you less of a victim of their stupidity.
I also completely agree with the fact that the more you make the vehicle "smart" the dumber many drivers will become, but that is a different scenario and requires better design, better education, and more serious consequences for irresponsibility.
regards
Mech
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