The next-generation Ford Explorers will offer something unique that we haven’t seen before. Rear seatbelts that will inflate in an accident the same way an airbag inflates. The idea is that rear inflatable seatbelts would be able to multiply the surface area of the belt against your body by up to 5 times.

So in an accident, your crash would be more “comfortable.” We aren’t sure if this would be practical or not, but it might save lives in the future. I wonder if it will hurt those people with more girth, by squeezing them tight.

If you thought that the already available range of Wiimote attachments was crazy, check this out. They are not out of gimmicky ideas just yet. The patent system gives us a glimpse at an inflatable horse-riding controller that may or may not one day have geeks parting with their money.

The inflatable cushion has a spot for your Wiimote and can track your crazed bucking and thrashing as you shout yeehaw, translating it into horse movement. You would hold the nunchuk as if holding the reins.

Some people like touchscreens, some not so much. Well, very soon we may just be able to please everybody thanks to this CMU touch screen technology. It sports temporary buttons that pop out(up?) and inflate when you need them. When you don’t they deflate and you once again have a flat surface.

So, very soon everyone can be happy using the same device. For instance, how about a switch that will help users toggle between a button mode and a full touch mode? This may be in your future phone.

Camping used to be about getting away from technology and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But most camping gadgets and accessories these days are designed to make sure you still take some technology with you. Like this Coleman Inflatable Mattress. It features built-in speakers, insuring that while you are being one with nature, you also are never far from your tunes.

Just plug in your iPod or CD player and listen. Coleman also makes a model with a built in alarm clock, which is pretty handy if you’ve left your cellphone at home. All of these inflatable mattresses have a 4D pump, which is battery powered and hands free for easy inflation and deflation.

Summer may be gone, but you can at least start planning for some fun next summer. Open Air Cinema has just released its new 16-foot inflatable projection screen that folds up easily into a 20-pound bag, making it very portable when traveling.

After the screen is fully inflated, it will remain in place and tethered using straps. Which doesn’t sound all that promising. It’s 220″ of widescreen heaven. So if you somehow survive this economy, why not have some fun next summer and fork over $999. Add some helium and give the whole neighborhood a treat.

Let’s say you’re a circus clown and you’re tired of that age old bit regarding too many clowns in a small vehicle. It might be time to upgrade that act. XP Vehicles could hold the key to your future success at kids parties and the circus alike. They have a strange idea of selling inflatable cars to everyone. They’ll be powered by batteries or fuel cells. Forget balloon animals Krusty. You can ride in one.

Don’t worry about punctures, the XP Vehicles will be using the same material that NASA uses in their airbags when things crash into Mars. Sharp objects on the road won’t slow you down. With the weight being lighter then normal vehicles, it apparently can travel for up to 2,500 miles on a single charge. Assembly will take about 2 hours and the cost is £2,500. Man, you are gonna be one cool clown. Just a few more kids parties and the dream is yours.

If you like the Full Swing Golf simulator, but don’t want to tear up your home, this is the way to go. All you need is a yard large enough to park this eyesore in. Like other simulators, it uses a projection screen along with a motion sensors that will detect the motion and speed of the ball. That info is then put on screen and you can watch the result on a 3D course.

Apparently, it only works with woods and irons, so you’ll still suck at putting. They say that the inflatable structure is weatherproof so you could even play in nasty weather. Your neighbors will probably wonder why you vanish inside an inflatable house every afternoon. Nosy bastards.

We’ve seen our share of Wii accessories. They range from awesome to completely bizarre. This inflatable combat set, for example is bizarre. Who in their right mind is going to suffer the humiliation of using inflatable weapons while playing a Wii game?

You can try your best to beat Zelda and get involved in the game, but you will only be distracted by the huge clumsy sack of air in your hand. Oh, and the laughter from those who love you nearby. Still, if you like inflatible gaming, you can get the kit for $25.78. Maybe your Blow up doll can finally join in on the Wii fun, while you’re at it.

We’ve covered our share of mice here at the Brick, but this is perhaps the strangest. As far as mice go, it’s the ultimate in portability. That’s because it’s inflatable. You store it flat and blow it up. Some of you might be familiar with this concept in your women.

It can store flat because all of the electronic circuity is housed on a small flexible board. The body itself is soft plastic. When you need your mouse, just blow it up and attach the USB cable and you’re ready. It might even be the difference between life and death in a hairy water situation. They probably should have went the whole nine yards and included a breathalyzer too since this design obviously required a whole lotta booze to come up with it.