Abstract: A motor vehicle secondary hood latch release mechanism comprises a striker, a primary hood latch, and a secondary hood latch. A remote secondary hood latch release device actuates the secondary hood latch only after a primary hood latch switch provides a signal to the controller indicating that the primary hood latch is in the disengaged position. A hood sensor provides a signal when the hood has been lifted to the open condition. The controller actuates the secondary hood latch to the disengaged position for a prescribed period of time upon actuation of a vehicle system input device, and thereafter the controller actuates the secondary hood latch to the engaged position upon the earlier of expiration of the prescribed time or the hood sensor providing the signal to the controller that the hood has been lifted to the open condition.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of vehicle-deployed wireless transmitters and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is further configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on the distance from the mobile device to each of the respective transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor of the controller is programmed to receive a side-impact signal representing a collision to a side of the vehicle, receive an occupancy signal indicating that a first rear seat of the vehicle is occupied, and send an output control signal to deploy an airbag between a front seat adjacent the side of the vehicle and a second rear seat adjacent the side of the vehicle in response to the side-impact signal and the occupancy signal only when the second rear seat is unoccupied.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect an operating condition of a first vehicle based on at least one sensor of a second vehicle in communication with the processor. The processor is also configured to wirelessly broadcast the operating condition or associated alert including any vehicle identifying traits of the first vehicle as detected by the second-vehicle sensor or other detection systems of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive data values from a sensor to detect infrared light. The sensor is in a line of sight to a vehicle foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that an object is present in the foot well. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that there is no object in the foot well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a center component defining a center chamber therein and first and second side components defining first and second chambers therein, respectively. The first and second side components are coupled to opposing ends of the center component with the first and second chambers in fluid communication with the center chamber. The center, first side and second side components are configured to extend substantially across a width of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes first, second and third pressure sensors in communication with the first, second and center chambers, respectively.

Abstract: Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.

Abstract: An image is received from an image sensor including an occupant's head and a webbing. A center line of the occupant is determined. A webbing payout length is determined based on the center line. A safety device is adjusted based at least in part on the webbing payout length.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a seat rotatably disposed on the base, a magnet generating a magnetic field, and a sensor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the seat relative to the base based at least in part on an orientation of the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a driver seat rotatably disposed on the base, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the driver seat relative to the base and output a displacement signal representing the angular displacement. The processor is programmed to receive the displacement signal and select at least one of a plurality of passive safety devices based at least in part on the angular displacement represented by the displacement signal and only deploy the selected passive safety devices during a collision.

Abstract: A sensor test system may include a controller coupled to at least one test device and a sensor, the controller configured to receive test instructions including a plurality of test sequences, instruct at least one display unit to display an item based on the test sequences, receive response data from the test device indicative of a driver behavior, the response data including timing information and test device information, compile the response data based on the timing information and the test device information, receive sensor data acquired by the sensor during the test sequences, compare the compiled response data to the sensor data, and determine an accuracy of the sensor based on the comparison.

Abstract: A belt assembly includes a belt retractor, a sensor having a detection field, and a belt retractably payable from the belt retractor through the detection field. The belt has a webbing and a plurality of markers fixed to the webbing. The webbing has a longitudinal length and the markers are equally spaced along the longitudinal length of the webbing. The sensor senses the length of the webbing paid out. A size of the occupant may be determined based on the length of the webbing paid out, and the size of the occupant may be used to classify the occupant in classes.

Abstract: A plus-two-point belt system is disclosed. The plus-two-point belt system includes a longitudinal webbing anchored at a first end to a seat and fixed at a second end to a retractor. The webbing is extendable from the retractor to allow an occupant to slip their arm under the webbing to provide a supplemental restraint. The webbing includes first and second portions where the second portion is retractably coiled on the retractor and the second portion has at least one conductive marker. A sensor is provided to sense the marker and a processor is provided to set an alarm when the marker is not detected.

Abstract: A gesture-activated hood release system for a motor vehicle is provided. That system incorporates a gesture sensor, a first actuator and a second actuator. Further, the system includes a controller that is responsive to the gesture sensor to activate the first actuator and open a primary hood latch and then, after a predetermined time delay, activate the second actuator and open the secondary hood latch.

Abstract: A system for detecting that an occupant is present in a vehicle seat. The system includes a bladder disposed in the vehicle seat, a pressure sensor, and a fluid pump. A conduit provides a single line into the bladder, a first branch of the single line connected to the fluid pump, and a second branch connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to a computing device. The computing device is programmed to detect that the occupant is present in the vehicle seat according to two or more data, including a first pressure value and a second pressure value that is detected at a time following detection of the first pressure value.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a vehicle floor from a forward-facing position to a rear-facing position. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. A seat belt assembly extends at least partially from the seat back. At least one airbag is incorporated into the seat belt assembly and is deployable when the vehicle seat is rotated to at least one of the rear-facing position and a position between the forward-facing position and the rear-facing position.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive first data values from a first sensor which detects infrared light. The infrared sensor is disposed in a line of sight to a vehicle front passenger foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a front passenger knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that an object is present in the front passenger foot well and is in motion. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that there is no motion in the front passenger foot well.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a vehicle floor from a forward-facing position to a rear-facing position. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. A seat belt assembly extends at least partially from the seat back. At least one airbag is incorporated into the seat belt assembly and is deployable when the vehicle seat is rotated to at least one of the rear-facing position and a position between the forward-facing position and the rear-facing position.

Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, a second thigh support, and a controller. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and are independently movable relative to the frame to adjustable positions. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The controller is programmed to independently inflate the first and second deployable devices based at least on the adjustable positions of the first and second thigh supports in response to a sensed vehicle impact.

Abstract: A wireless-based system is provided for opening the hood of a motor vehicle. That wireless-based system includes a wireless latch release actuator. Further, the wireless-based system also includes a controller. The controller is configured to release a secondary hood latch when (a) the wireless latch release actuator is activated, (b) a primary hood latch has already been released and (c) a motor vehicle wheel is stationary whereby the hood may be opened. A related hood opening method is also disclosed.