Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to control operation of the radar sensor to acquire data for determining and updating a number of occupants in the vehicle. Upon receiving a control command whose execution will result in movement of the vehicle, a pre-movement radar scan of the vehicle interior is performed. Using information acquired by the pre-movement scan, the sensor control module determines if an excessive occupant condition exists in the vehicle interior. Responsive to a determination that an excessive occupant condition exists, the sensor control module may control an operation of the vehicle other than executing the control command.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing interactions of a passenger with components within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates that a passenger satisfies a threshold in relation to an unpermitted action, generating a response that counters the unpermitted action.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adapting vehicle access by detecting a person carrying an object. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a person near a vehicle for gaining access. The method also includes scanning the person for an object using a radar of the vehicle, wherein information from the radar indicates densities of the person and the object. Upon detecting the object using the densities, the method also includes adapting the access to a compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to control operation of the radar sensor to acquire data for determining and updating a number of occupants in the vehicle. Upon receiving a control command whose execution will result in movement of the vehicle, a pre-movement radar scan of the vehicle interior is performed. using information acquired by the pre-movement scan, the sensor control module determines if an excessive occupant condition exists in the vehicle interior. Responsive to a determination that an excessive occupant condition exists, the sensor control module may control an operation of the vehicle other than executing the control command.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing ingress of water in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates an ingress of water into the passenger cabin, generating a response to the ingress of the water.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing interactions of a passenger with components within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates that a passenger satisfies a threshold in relation to an unpermitted action, generating a response that counters the unpermitted action.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to automatically control operation of the radar sensor to perform at least one radar scan of at least a portion of an interior of the vehicle. The sensor control module is also configured to determine, using information acquired by the at least one radar scan of the vehicle interior, at least one characteristic of a child car seat positioned in the interior. The sensor control module is also configured to compare the at least one determined characteristic of the child car seat with child car seat comparison information and, responsive to the comparison of the at least one determined characteristic with the child car seat comparison information, control an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the safety of a vehicle in relation to occurrences of smoke and fire. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a subject vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the subject vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates smoke is present within the passenger cabin, controlling the subject vehicle to generate a response to the smoke.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle sensors includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing a sensor control module including instructions that control processor(s) to, if the vehicle is not moving, and responsive to occurrence of an event, control operation of at least one radar sensor to scan the vehicle occupant compartment at a first scanning rate. Responsive to an occurrence of another event following commencement of scanning at the first scanning rate, the processor(s) control operation of the at least one radar sensor to scan the occupant compartment at a second scanning rate different from the first scanning rate. After passage of a predetermined time period after commencement of scanning at the second scanning rate, it is determined whether a living object resides in the occupant compartment. If no living object resides in the occupant compartment, radar scanning of the occupant compartment is discontinued.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle sensors includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing a sensor control module including instructions that control processor(s) to, if the vehicle is not moving, and responsive to occurrence of an event, control operation of at least one radar sensor to scan the vehicle occupant compartment at a first scanning rate. Responsive to an occurrence of another event following commencement of scanning at the first scanning rate, the processor(s) control operation of the at least one radar sensor to scan the occupant compartment at a second scanning rate different from the first scanning rate. After passage of a predetermined time period after commencement of scanning at the second scanning rate, it is determined whether a living object resides in the occupant compartment. If no living object resides in the occupant compartment, radar scanning of the occupant compartment is discontinued.