Yep, had some of those "automatic" seatbelts which qualified, initially.
Now, of course, the law has been modified.

As we know from recent M$oft legislation, you've gotta give it away if it
becomes popular....

"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...

The reason airbags became popular is that in 1984 the NHTSA enacted a
regulation requiring all new cars to have passive restraints, and in 1993
amended that regulation to require airbags. Had nothing to do with patent
expiration and everything to do with being forced by the government to
install them.