A safety apparatus for a vehicle includes a structure, an inflator, a collision position detector, and a deployment controller. The structure extends along an outer periphery of the vehicle, and includes a plurality of partial structures. The inflator is configured to supply gas into the structure. The collision position detector is configured to detect or predict a collision position the vehicle upon colliding against an object. The deployment controller is configured to control gas supply from the inflator to the structure, based on a collision position detected or predicted by the collision position detector. The deployment controller causes the inflator to supply the gas to a partial structure corresponding to the collision position to deform at least the corresponding partial structure outward in a vehicle width direction.

In one embodiment, a particular state of a body is sensed. In response to the sensing, at least one action is taken to modulate a projected adverse interaction between the body or a portion thereof and at least one object in the environment of the body.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, methods and computer program product, and system are described that enable a first subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a first time period, enable a second subset of actuatable cushioning elements for a second time period, determine an event, and actuate, based on a time the event is determined, at least one of the first and the second subsets of actuatable cushioning elements to provide cushioning support for an object. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining

A system of air cushions adapted to ensconce the head of an occupant in a child seat during side impact, extendable to a system of air cushions with sacrificial chamber to inflate the aircushions.

An external airbag safety system is provided. The airbag safety system embodied in the present invention is adapted to inflate externally around a vehicle or structure to lessen the impact of a collision. Each external airbag may be urged from a deflated stowed condition to an inflated deployed condition immediately prior the collision sensed by one or more of the sensors. In the stowed condition, the boundaries of the external airbags are mutually inclusive of the boundary of the associated vehicle or structure, while in the deployed condition the inflated airbag forms a shock-absorbing shape protruding operatively beyond the boundary of the associated vehicle or structure, thereby lessening the total destruction wrought from the imminent collision.

Systems, apparatus, and methods implemented in algorithms, software, firmware, logic, or circuitry may be configured to process data and sensory input in real-time to determine whether an object external to an autonomous vehicle may be a potential collision threat to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may be configured to deploy one or more bladders positioned external to the autonomous vehicle to absorb forces from an impact to the vehicle by the object. A perception system of the vehicle may receive a sensor signal and generate object data associated with the object. A planner system of the vehicle may process the object data to predict an impact time and an impact location on the vehicle. The planner system may cause a drive system of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle to position an impact-absorbing structure and/or one or more bladders of the vehicle to coincide with the predicted impact location.

An airbag module and a rail vehicle with an airbag module are described herein. The airbag module includes a support flap with a front end and a rear end. The rear end of the support flap is thereby pivotably mounted by means of a first pivot bearing, wherein the airbag module is convertible from a closed state into an open state by pivoting the support flap and the front end of the support flap thereby moves toward the track. The airbag module includes an airbag fixed on the airbag module. The airbag is folded in the closed state of the airbag module, and is unfolded in the open state of the airbag module. In its unfolded state, the airbag projects beyond the front end of the support flap, so that the unfolded airbag and the support flap together form an impact protection for a person on the track. Furthermore, a rail vehicle with one or a plurality of airbag modules is described.

A vehicle that includes a vehicle body structure and a deployable energy absorbing device. The vehicle body structure defines a vehicle longitudinal direction and has an opening along a lateral exterior side thereof. The opening exposes a hollow interior of the vehicle body structure. The vehicle body structure has a structural member that extends parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction within the hollow interior inboard of the opening. The deployable energy absorbing device has a deployable member, the deployable energy absorbing device being supported to the structural member of the vehicle body structure within the hollow interior. The deployable energy absorbing device is concealed within the hollow interior in the stowed orientation. The deployable member extends laterally outward perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction and away from the structural member and a lateral exterior side of the vehicle body structure in a deployed orientation.

Disclosed embodiments include methods, computer program products, and systems. Given by way of example only and not of limitation, in various embodiments a method includes: determining an event; actuating a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members; and dissipating at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members.

An airbag device for a vehicle provided with a door and a side sill includes an airbag and an application state detector. The airbag is deployed from a container to be disposed on a lower side of the door on a vehicle body to a region on a vehicle-widthwise outside of the door. The application state detector detects a load application state of a load from the airbag to the vehicle body. The airbag includes a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and an internal pressure controller. The first air chamber transmits a load applied from the vehicle-widthwise outside to a side surface of the side sill. The second air chamber couples a lower part of the first air chamber and the container. The internal pressure controller controls an internal pressure of the second air chamber based on the load application state detected by the application state detector.

The present disclosure is directed to a pedestrian protection system that includes a first sensor that generates a first signal indicating a hazard condition in front of a vehicle. The pedestrian protection system may also include an external airbag system that deploys an external airbag outside of the vehicle. In operation, a processor receives the first signal from the first sensor, processes the first signal to detect the hazard condition, and activates the external airbag system in response to the detected hazard condition to protect at least one of a pedestrian and the vehicle.