A vehicle safety system for helping to protect a pedestrian in the event of a vehicle frontal collision with the pedestrian includes a plurality of crash sensors for sensing a vehicle frontal collision, an actuatable pedestrian protection device, a controller for controlling actuation of the pedestrian protection device, and at least one active sensor for determining the presence of a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle.

A vehicle safety system for helping to protect a pedestrian in the event of a vehicle frontal collision with the pedestrian includes a plurality of crash sensors for sensing a vehicle frontal collision, an actuatable pedestrian protection device, a controller for controlling actuation of the pedestrian protection device, and at least one active sensor for determining the presence of a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle.

A pedestrian protection apparatus may include: an active sensor configured to sense a forward obstacle of a vehicle; a passive sensor configured to sense a collision of the vehicle; a storage unit configured to store a collision threshold value which is set according to the passive sensor and a protection subject; a protection module driving unit configured to drive a protection module for protecting the protection subject in case of a collision with the vehicle; and a control unit configured to identify the protection subject based on the sensing result of the active sensor, adjust the collision threshold value according to the protection subject, compare the sensing result of the passive sensor to the collision threshold value, and operate the protection module driving unit.

A pedestrian protection apparatus may include: an active sensor configured to sense a forward obstacle of a vehicle; a passive sensor configured to sense a collision of the vehicle; a storage unit configured to store a collision threshold value which is set according to the passive sensor and a protection subject; a protection module driving unit configured to drive a protection module for protecting the protection subject in case of a collision with the vehicle; and a control unit configured to identify the protection subject based on the sensing result of the active sensor, adjust the collision threshold value according to the protection subject, compare the sensing result of the passive sensor to the collision threshold value, and operate the protection module driving unit.

A protection system comprises at least one inflatable safety structure, each associated with a gas generator that can be activated by an external command, wherein the external command comprises an electrical signal from an automated system that is responsible for the critical safety functions of a vehicle, corresponding to predictive information about an impact. The gas generator is configured to generate a gas over a time period such that the total inflation time of the inflatable structure is greater than 50 milliseconds. The inflatable structure may be waterproof.

A protection system comprises at least one inflatable safety structure, each associated with a gas generator that can be activated by an external command, wherein the external command comprises an electrical signal from an automated system that is responsible for the critical safety functions of a vehicle, corresponding to predictive information about an impact. The gas generator is configured to generate a gas over a time period such that the total inflation time of the inflatable structure is greater than 50 milliseconds. The inflatable structure may be waterproof.

A pedestrian protection airbag apparatus includes an exterior front side airbag, and an exterior rear side airbag. The exterior front side airbag is disposed in a front portion of a side sill of a vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along a side surface of the vehicle. The exterior rear side airbag is disposed in a rear portion of the side sill of the vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along the side surface of the vehicle. An upper end portion of the exterior front side airbag is disposed lower than an upper end portion of the exterior rear side airbag.

A pedestrian protection airbag apparatus includes an exterior front side airbag, and an exterior rear side airbag. The exterior front side airbag is disposed in a front portion of a side sill of a vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along a side surface of the vehicle. The exterior rear side airbag is disposed in a rear portion of the side sill of the vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along the side surface of the vehicle. An upper end portion of the exterior front side airbag is disposed lower than an upper end portion of the exterior rear side airbag.

A method is disclosed in which sensor information is obtained that is captured by at least one environment sensor of an unmanned vehicle. The sensor information represents at least one object parameter of an object that is moving relative to the unmanned vehicle. At least partly based on the at least one object parameter, it is determined whether a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent. If it is determined that a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent, at least partly based on the at least one object parameter, at least one triggering parameter is determined for triggering at least one crash cushion of the unmanned vehicle. The at least one crash cushion is triggered according to the at least one triggering parameter. The at least one crash cushion is triggered before the imminent collision.

A method is disclosed in which sensor information is obtained that is captured by at least one environment sensor of an unmanned vehicle. The sensor information represents at least one object parameter of an object that is moving relative to the unmanned vehicle. At least partly based on the at least one object parameter, it is determined whether a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent. If it is determined that a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent, at least partly based on the at least one object parameter, at least one triggering parameter is determined for triggering at least one crash cushion of the unmanned vehicle. The at least one crash cushion is triggered according to the at least one triggering parameter. The at least one crash cushion is triggered before the imminent collision.