Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system includes a retractable seat belt buckle, one or more buckle sensors, and a control unit. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the one or more buckle sensors and one or more drive systems of a vehicle. The retractable seat belt buckle is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The one or more buckle sensors are positioned to sense a position of the retractable seat belt buckle and output a signal indicative of the position of the retractable seat belt buckle. The control unit receives the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, determines the position of the retractable seat belt buckle based on the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, and transmits a stop signal to the one or more vehicle drive systems to cause the one or more vehicle drive systems to prevent motion of the vehicle when the retractable seat belt buckle is positioned in the extended position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle seat includes a seating portion and a seat back extending from the seating portion. The seat back defines a rear facing surface and a recessed area formed in the rear facing surface. The recessed area extends from an upper surface of the seat back toward a central portion of the seat back. The recessed area defines a void between the vehicle seat and a child seat positioned proximate to the seat back.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system includes a retractable seat belt buckle, one or more buckle sensors, and a control unit. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the one or more buckle sensors and one or more drive systems of a vehicle. The retractable seat belt buckle is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The one or more buckle sensors are positioned to sense a position of the retractable seat belt buckle and output a signal indicative of the position of the retractable seat belt buckle. The control unit receives the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, determines the position of the retractable seat belt buckle based on the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, and transmits a stop signal to the one or more vehicle drive systems to cause the one or more vehicle drive systems to prevent motion of the vehicle when the retractable seat belt buckle is positioned in the extended position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle seat includes a seating portion and a seat back extending from the seating portion. The seat back defines a rear facing surface and a recessed area formed in the rear facing surface. The recessed area extends from an upper surface of the seat back toward a central portion of the seat back. The recessed area defines a void between the vehicle seat and a child seat positioned proximate to the seat back.