A great variety of side impacts exists in real world. Beside the moving barrier test conditions of FMVSS or EEVC there are other situations which are significant for the development of restraint systems.

Compared to the frontal crash numerical and experimental investigations of the side impact are more difficult. The occupant comes into direct contact with the crushing structure or the striking object. Beside this the behavior of the vehicle and the restraints, the kinematics of the occupant and its interaction with the vehicle and the striking obstacle are difi'erent for most load cases.

This contribution informes about the experiences of the authors to manage this situation. The paper informes about the used engineering tools for the development of side airbags. Numerical simulation methods and nondestructive tests on a HYGE sled are presented.