Systems, devices, and techniques are provided for occupancy assessment of a vehicle. For one or more occupants of the vehicle, the occupancy assessment establishes position and/or identity for some or all of the occupant(s).

A distraction detection system includes using a first signal, e.g., EDP signals or vehicle speed, and an additional signal to determine whether a person is distracted. The distraction system can be part of a vehicle seating system, A vehicle seating system is described and includes a seat configured to support an occupant and to be mounted in a vehicle and occupant sensing system at least partially integrated into the seat to sense an occupant. The sensing system senses a first criterion with respect to the occupant. A controller is configured to receive the first criterion signal from the sensing system and a second criterion to determine a distraction state of the driver. The controller can also determine a false distraction state using the distraction state and other criterion in a vehicle. The controller outputs a control signal when the distraction state exceeds a distraction threshold and when distraction is confirmed.

One variation of a method for renting a vehicle includes: receiving a signal from a fleet manager, the signal specifying a current availability of the vehicle for rent; updating a visual indicator arranged on the vehicle according to the signal, the visual indicator visually detectable from outside the vehicle; receiving identification information of a user proximal the vehicle; enabling access to the vehicle for the user in response to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle; determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle, that the user is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle; and enabling ignition of the vehicle for the user in response to determination that the user is seated in the driver's seat.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for rear seat detection. The apparatus may include: an indoor camera having a field of view for a vehicle interior and configured to provide image data; an indoor radar having a sensing area for the vehicle interior and configured to provide radar data; a controller including a first processor and a second processor. The first processor configured to obtain information on a change in a front passenger seat and a rear seat of a vehicle based on processing the image data The second processor configured to obtain motion information on an object in the rear seat of the vehicle based on processing the radar data. The first controller may identify a change of a detection area in the rear seat based on the information on the change in the front passenger seat and the rear seat of the vehicle, and determine whether a human is seated in the rear seat of the vehicle based on the motion information on the object in the detection area where the change is identified.

A method and a system for assisting in correcting the posture of an occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising: a. collecting the posture of the occupant of the seat via sensors; b. calculating comfort indices; c. comparing them with reference values; d. generating a first alert signal intended for a first alert device when a reference value is reached; and e. generating a second alert signal intended for first and/or second alert devices when another reference value is reached.

The present invention relates to a vehicle assistant system of a vehicle comprising at least a first camera and a second camera, wherein the first camera is arranged such that the area in front of the vehicle can at least partially be captured, and wherein the second camera is arranged such that the interior of the vehicle can at least partially be captured, and wherein the vehicle assistant system comprises one common image data analysis unit which is configured to process image data received from the first camera and the second camera. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one vehicle assistant system.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving deployment of an airbag by controlling a steering wheel in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying at least a hand position for one or more hands of the operator on the steering wheel using orientation data acquired from at least one sensor of the vehicle. The method includes determining, as a function of at least the hand position, a mitigation action associated with deploying the airbag. The method includes, in response to detecting that deployment of the airbag is imminent, controlling the steering wheel according to the mitigation action.

A computer that includes memory that stores instructions executable by a processor. The computer may be programmed to: receive image data that includes a vehicle seat and an occupant within a vehicle cabin; determine, using the received data, an orientation of the seat and an orientation of the occupant; and perform a vehicle function based on the determination.

An occupant-support base includes a seat pad and a pad-extension system. The seat pad includes a fixed portion and a movable portion that is configured to move relative to the fixed portion. The pad-extension system is configured to move the movable portion to fit occupants of different sizes.

Embodiments are directed to system and methods for determining the user identity of a vehicle occupant and identifying a corresponding user profile to provide customer settings for the user. In some embodiments, the seat or position of the user is determined and settings are applied depending on the which seat is occupied by the user. In some embodiments, vehicle settings are updated as additional vehicle occupants enter the vehicle.