A device 1 for detecting a deformation of a component 10, in particular in the
automotive industry, having a deformable hollow body arrangement assigned as a deformation indicator to component 10 and having at least one
orifice area 3, and at least one sensor device 4; 12 situated in the particular
orifice area 3 for measuring an air flow corresponding to the deformation of hollow body arrangement 2. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of detecting such a deformation of a component 10 and activating an appropriate safety application, the measured data being analyzed by an analyzer unit 13 after measurement of the deformation, and a suitable safety application optionally being activated if the measured data of the at least one sensor device 4; 12 indicates a deformation of hollow body arrangement 2 and thus of component 10.