A team of University of Iowa researchers is entering its final year of athree year project studying airbags in cars. Engineering Professor BarryButler says preliminary results show some modifications in the systems thatexpand the bags can make a big difference in their safety.Butler says there are many so called “smart systems” being tested that willtell the size of the person sitting in a seat. Butler says the addition of electronic systems to guide airbags shouldn’tmake a big increase in the cost of new cars.Butler says the perfect airbag could still take several years ofdevelopment.