Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing the likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. In one example, a system for reducing the likelihood of a passenger submarining, may include a restraining device for restraining the passenger. A second restraining device for further restraining the passenger may also be included in the system. A locking mechanism may be configured to prevent a seat back from reclining when the second restraining device is not activated.

A standing wave radar includes: a transmitter to set a frequency of a transmission signal to frequencies, and output the transmission signal taking the respective frequencies in a time-division manner; a receiver to receive a reflected signal taking the frequencies in a time-division manner, the reflected signal being the transmission signal reflected by an object; and a processor to obtain reflection coefficients of the frequencies by obtaining each reflection coefficient of the transmission signal and the reflected signal taking a same frequency, for the transmission signal and the reflected signal taking the frequencies, and to execute a first inverse Fourier transform process of calculating a first distance spectrum for the object by an inverse Fourier transform on the reflection coefficients, and a first distance measurement process of determining presence of the object and calculating a distance to the object, based on the first distance spectrum.

A method for controlling a passenger restraint system aboard a motor vehicle includes receiving, via a controller, biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) indicative of vulnerability characteristics of a passenger seated in an interior of the motor vehicle. In response to the biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) and a detected vehicle event requiring an actuation of the passenger restraint system, the method includes automatically adjusting an actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system via the controller. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a passenger restraint system positioned in the vehicle interior; and a controller operable for controlling the actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system in accordance with the method. The passenger restraint system may include a seatbelt, a seat, and one or more airbag systems.

A perception-based monitoring method for determining a passenger's intention to unbuckle a seatbelt and/or to open a door, including: receiving input data including an image of an interior of the vehicle captured by a camera mounted in the vehicle; assigning based on the image, a set of predefined body keypoint positions (BKP) associated with a detected passenger; computing a manipulation score, indicative of an intention of the passenger to unbuckle a seatbelt and/or to open a door, based on the assigned set of predefined BKP in relation with a seatbelt buckle and/or a door handle; determining the passenger's intention in case the manipulation score exceeds a predefined threshold; and if a passenger's intention is determined, adjusting a control function of a safety system of the vehicle; and/or notifying an occupant of the vehicle of the passenger's intention.

A vehicle receives a user-input correlation between a plurality of predefined messages and a plurality of predefined behavioral situations defining child behavior. The vehicle determines the presence of at least one child within the vehicle based on vehicle sensor data. Also, the vehicle determines, based on vehicle systems, that one of the predefined behavioral situations is occurring with regards to the at least one child and selects, based on the user-input correlation, at least one message associated with the determined occurrence of the behavioral situation. The vehicle automatically outputs the at least one message through a vehicle output.

A sensor integration module for detecting vehicle interior information and an operation method thereof are provided. The sensor integration module includes: a first sensor enabled based on first operation information and providing a sensing result as first sensing information; a second sensor enabled based on second operation information and providing a sensing result as second sensing information; a first communication device that transmits and receives information with electronic devices in a vehicle; and a controller that generates the first and second operation information for selectively enabling the first and second sensors based on information provided from the first communication device and provides the first communication device with the result determined based on the first and second sensing information.

Embodiments described herein take the form of a fastener, such as a button, clasp, or the like, that magnetically attracts a button to an enclosure, thereby securely closing the fastener. In one example embodiment, the fastener includes a base and a ring. The ring defines an aperture and the base includes a button. The button can move perpendicularly to a surface of the base that abuts or otherwise engages the ring. The ring includes multiple magnets typically positioned within a body of the ring and, generally, at opposing positions along a circumference or perimeter of the ring. Similarly, a magnet is positioned within the button. As the ring approaches the base, the ring magnets attract the button magnet, drawing it into the ring and closing or securing the fastener. The button moves transversely to the polarization direction of the ring magnets (and button magnet) as the button extends.

The subject disclosure relates to techniques for detecting proper use of a seatbelt in a vehicle. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving, from a sensor, image data of one or more portions of a seatbelt. The process can further include steps for determining a length of the seatbelt that is dispensed based on the image data and determining if the seatbelt is buckled in front of a passenger's body based on the length of the seatbelt that is dispensed. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

A method of determining a seat back status of a passenger seat in a vehicle. The method includes monitoring a seat back orientation sensor coupled to a seat back of the passenger seat and monitoring a reference orientation sensor coupled at a fixed position within the vehicle. The seat back orientation sensor determines an orientation of the seat back relative to Earth, and the reference orientation sensor determines an orientation of the vehicle relative to Earth. The method further includes determining an orientation of the seat back relative to the vehicle based on a comparison between the orientation of the seat back and the orientation of the vehicle relative to Earth, and transmitting seat back orientation data, of the seat back relative to the vehicle, to a remote monitoring unit, wherein the remote monitoring unit is configured to display a first notification when the seat back is not fully upright.

Aspects hereof relate to a lever-actuated operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the lever-actuated operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle.