Abstract: A vehicle environment detection system (3) including a control unit arrangement (8) and at least one sensor arrangement (4) that is arranged to be mounted in an ego vehicle (1) and to provide sensor detections (9, 12) for at least two preceding target vehicles (10, 11). The control unit arrangement (8) is arranged to determine a resulting TTC, time to collision, between the ego vehicle (1) and a closest preceding target vehicle (10), based on an ego velocity (v0) and an ego acceleration (a0) for the ego vehicle (1), a first distance (r1) between the ego vehicle (1) and the closest preceding target vehicle (10), and that target velocity (v1, v2) and corresponding target acceleration (a1, a2) for a preceding target vehicle (10, 11) among the target vehicles (10, 11) that provide a lowest TTC value.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle having at least a front wheel arrangement having one or more wheels and rear wheel arrangement having one or more wheels, the arrangement having: a control unit; and one or more vehicle inertial sensors to detect acceleration experienced by the vehicle, the inertial sensors being connected to the control unit so the control unit receives output signals from the inertial sensors; and one or more vehicle safety systems which may be activated by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to process the signals received from the inertial sensors and to determine whether at least one of the wheels of the front and rear wheel arrangements is not in contact with the surface over which the vehicle is driven.

Abstract: A method for activating safety systems of a motor vehicle, the method including the steps of: monitoring signals from at least one vehicle sensor; analysing the signals from the at least one sensor to determine that the vehicle appears to be involved in a particular one of a plurality of pre-defined “run off the road” events: confirming the determination by analysing signals from at least one different vehicle sensor, performing a different analysis on the signals from the at least one sensor, or analysing signals from the at least one sensor over a predetermined period of time; where a detection is confirmed, estimating the severity of the event; and based on a confirmed determination that the vehicle is involved in a particular event, and the estimated severity of the event, selecting one or more vehicle safety systems to be activated to protect an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle having at least a front wheel arrangement having one or more wheels and rear wheel arrangement having one or more wheels, the arrangement having: a control unit; and one or more vehicle inertial sensors to detect acceleration experienced by the vehicle, the inertial sensors being connected to the control unit so the control unit receives output signals from the inertial sensors; and one or more vehicle safety systems which may be activated by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to process the signals received from the inertial sensors and to determine whether at least one of the wheels of the front and rear wheel arrangements is not in contact with the surface over which the vehicle is driven.