Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can be programmed to receive an occupant position measurement from at least one of an acoustic and a light sensor, determine an estimated occupant size based on occupant weight, estimate a vehicle seat position based on the occupant position measurement, and, control a vehicle occupant safety device based on the estimated occupant size and estimated vehicle seat position.

Abstract: A composition that includes asphalt component; and graphite component.

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 vehicle includes a front seating assembly and a rear seating assembly. An occupant sensor senses occupancy of the front seating assembly. A proximity sensor senses an object in a footwell behind the front seating assembly. A rear door sensor senses the opening of a rear door. A controller activates an actuator to move the front seating assembly forward based on the sensed occupancy, a sensed object, and sensed door opening. A method of controlling a vehicle seating assembly includes the steps of: sensing the front seating assembly is unoccupied with the occupant sensor; detecting in the footwell behind the front seating assembly with the proximity sensor; sensing a rear door position with the door sensor; and moving the front seating assembly forward when the front seating assembly is unoccupied, an object is in the footwell, and the rear door is in an open position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that communicates with a wearable device having a haptic mechanism. In response to an alert event detected by the vehicle, the controller outputs a signal to activate the haptic mechanism. The wearable device may detect a physiological or biometric characteristic such as pulse rate. The controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism further in response to the pulse rate being less than a threshold. Also, the controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism while the vehicle is operating autonomously.

Abstract: A computer that includes memory that stores instructions executable by a processor. The computer may be programmed to: receive image data that includes a vehicle seat and an occupant within a vehicle cabin; determine, using the received data, an orientation of the seat and an orientation of the occupant; and perform a vehicle function based on the determination.

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.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a vehicle includes infrared skin temperature sensors for measuring actual skin temperatures of the driver and a cabin temperature sensor for measuring an actual cabin temperature of ambient air within the passenger cabin. A controller module stores a target cabin temperature. The controller module controls the HVAC system according to a first error between the target cabin temperature and the actual cabin temperature. A personalization module stores a target skin temperature, and the personalization module determines an offset to be applied to the target cabin temperature according to a second error between the target skin temperature and the actual skin temperature. Infrared temperature measurements are collected for the left and right sides of a person's face, and the actual skin temperature is selected as the one that deviates most from the actual cabin temperature.

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 belt assembly includes a belt, a first sensor and a second sensor. The belt has a webbing and a plurality of markers distinct from the webbing and fixed thereto. The markers are equally spaced a first longitudinal distance thereon in a longitudinal direction. The first sensor and the second sensor each have an associated detection field directed toward the belt and responsive to the markers in the fields. The second sensor is a second longitudinal distance from the first sensor differing from the first distance.

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: 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: A vehicle classification system includes a processor programmed to determine a seated height and seated weight associated with a vehicle occupant. The processor is further programmed to assign a classification to the vehicle occupant based at least in part on a ratio of the seated weight to the seated height.

Abstract: An image is received from an image sensor. The image includes an occupant's head. A seated height of the occupant is determined based at least in part on a distance from the image sensor to the occupant's head, and a detected angle of a vehicle seat. A safety device is adjusted based at least in part on the seated height of the occupant.

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: 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: 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 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 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.