The active headrests are mechanical in operation, not electrical or explosive iirc
Aye
The new Active Head Restraints go a long way towards reducing these risks. The system operates mechanically and is activated by the front passenger's upper torso pressing against the seat back in the event of a rear-end collision. The head restraint is moved upwards and forwards by a lever system integrated into the seat back; this shortens the distance between the head and the restraint significantly and consequently reduces the force acting on the cervical vertebra.
The entire system is installed in the upper section of the front seat-back, weighs only about one kilogram and does not interfere with the side airbag, which is installed lower down in the seat-back; nor does it have any adverse effect on the seat occupant's comfort. The Active Head Restraint mechanism is fully reversible as Joachim G. Fürll, seat designer at the International Technical Development Center (ITEZ) in Rüsselsheim, explains: ”If, for example, during a multiple collision involving several vehicles, passengers were to be jerked backwards and forwards several times, the head restraints would be ready to cushion the head on every impact.”
During a severe impact, the Active Head Restraints can – depending on how far they have been extended – move upwards by up to 20 millimeters and forward by more than 60 millimeters .
Opel developed and adapted the Active Head Restraints to the seats in its individual models together with the seat manufacturer, Lear. During the two-year cooperation period, impact-sled tests played a key role. Trials were conducted in various configurations and with speed differences of 8, 16 and 22 km/h as part of the program. Joachim Fürll: ”The specially designed Hybrid-III dummies we asked to risk their necks for this purpose were equipped with additional sensors in the cervical vertebra area and modified neck elements that also permitted sliding movements.”