Retractable headrest

A retractable headrest (10) is movable between an extended position (22) for protecting a passenger and a retracted position (14) for improving rearward visibility. In a first embodiment, the headrest is positioned below a stretchable fabric panel (34) which allows a headrest shell to be raised into the extended position by stretching the panel. A second embodiment incorporates an extending cushion that can be moved between the extended and retracted positions by an extending arm. A third embodiment incorporates a support frame that can be folded or bowed by a drive mechanism to move between the retracted and extended positions. A fourth embodiment is a hybrid between the second and third embodiments.