Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for airbag systems suited for autonomous vehicles. Such an airbag system may include a first chamber, a second chamber, a dual-stage inflator, an orifice blocker mechanism and a control module. The dual-stage inflator may be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a first orifice and in fluid communication with the second chamber via a second orifice. The orifice blocker mechanism may be configured to block and unblock gas flow from the second orifice to the second chamber. The control module may be configured to activate the dual-stage inflator in order to inflate one or both of the first chamber and the second chamber with gas based on a position of the orifice blocker mechanism relative to the second orifice.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for airbag systems suited for autonomous vehicles. Such an airbag system may include a first chamber, a second chamber, a dual-stage inflator, an orifice blocker mechanism and a control module. The dual-stage inflator may be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a first orifice and in fluid communication with the second chamber via a second orifice. The orifice blocker mechanism may be configured to block and unblock gas flow from the second orifice to the second chamber. The control module may be configured to activate the dual-stage inflator in order to inflate one or both of the first chamber and the second chamber with gas based on a position of the orifice blocker mechanism relative to the second orifice.

Abstract: A vehicle control assembly and a method and system for controlling a vehicle. The assembly includes a controller. A steer-by-wire component, a brake-by-wire component, and an accelerator-by-wire component are each operably attached to the controller. A track is operably attached to the vehicle. The controller is laterally re-positionable with respect to the track. The method includes the steps of providing a controller, and steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller. The method further includes the step of re-positioning the controller between a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side. The system includes controller means, and means for steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller means. The system further includes means for reversibly positioning the controller means from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side.