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.

A configurable bumper for a vehicle may include a center body, one or more telescoping end assemblies adapted to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the center body and perpendicular to the axis of vehicle, and a locking mechanism for each telescoping end assembly. The telescoping end assemblies may be secured in at least two different axial positions on the center body. A method for manufacturing a bumper may include forming bumper components in near-net shape by a profile extrusion process and sizing to length.

A configurable bumper for a vehicle may include a center body, one or more telescoping end assemblies adapted to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the center body and perpendicular to the axis of vehicle, and a locking mechanism for each telescoping end assembly. The telescoping end assemblies may be secured in at least two different axial positions on the center body. A method for manufacturing a bumper may include forming bumper components in near-net shape by a profile extrusion process and sizing to length.

An apparatus for ascertaining the surroundings for a vehicle includes a housing configured to receive a device for ascertaining the surroundings of the vehicle and a movement device. The movement device is connected to the housing and is coupled to a structural element of the vehicle. The movement device is configured to move the housing relative to the structural element in response to a triggering signal in order to initiate a protective function in a case of an impact effect that is acting upon the vehicle.

A system includes a bumper, an actuator fixed to the bumper, and a panel fixed to the actuator and moveable relative to the bumper. A first bracket is fixed to one of the bumper and the panel, and a second bracket is fixed to the other of the bumper and the panel. The second bracket is moveably engaged with the first bracket. A spring-loaded lock is fixed to the first bracket and is biased against the second bracket. The actuator may be triggered in response to a sensed pedestrian impact. In that case, the actuator moves the first and second brackets relative to each other to move the panel from a recessed position to an extended position.

A system includes a bumper, an actuator fixed to the bumper, and a panel fixed to the actuator and moveable relative to the bumper. A first bracket is fixed to one of the bumper and the panel, and a second bracket is fixed to the other of the bumper and the panel. The second bracket is moveably engaged with the first bracket. A spring-loaded lock is fixed to the first bracket and is biased against the second bracket. The actuator may be triggered in response to a sensed pedestrian impact. In that case, the actuator moves the first and second brackets relative to each other to move the panel from a recessed position to an extended position.

Vehicle side protector is disclosed. The vehicle external side protector vehicle external side protector has at least two 2-piece vertically moveable guards of a height from bottom of wheel to desired height up the vehicle and a connecting guard stretching from the first to the second vertically moveable guard. The 2-pieces of a vertically moveable guard are connected by a lever; and the length of the vehicle external side protector is less than the distance from the outer perimeter of a front wheel to the outer perimeter of a back wheel of a vehicle side to deploy and retract from underneath the vehicle and be stored underneath the vehicle in parallel plane to the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle external side protector rests on a track with an end point block; and connected to an actuator. Also disclosed are vehicle external front and back protectors.

Vehicle side protector is disclosed. The vehicle external side protector vehicle external side protector has at least two 2-piece vertically moveable guards of a height from bottom of wheel to desired height up the vehicle and a connecting guard stretching from the first to the second vertically moveable guard. The 2-pieces of a vertically moveable guard are connected by a lever; and the length of the vehicle external side protector is less than the distance from the outer perimeter of a front wheel to the outer perimeter of a back wheel of a vehicle side to deploy and retract from underneath the vehicle and be stored underneath the vehicle in parallel plane to the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle external side protector rests on a track with an end point block; and connected to an actuator. Also disclosed are vehicle external front and back protectors.

The pedestrian safety system includes a vehicle crossing arm system, an alarm annunciator, a plurality of sensors, and an in-vehicle display device. The vehicle crossing arm system may include a crossing arm and a crossing arm motor. Methods of using the pedestrian safety system function to detect movement of pedestrians in proximity to a vehicle are disclosed. In particular, for detecting movement of children in proximity to a school bus.

The pedestrian safety system includes a vehicle crossing arm system, an alarm annunciator, a plurality of sensors, and an in-vehicle display device. The vehicle crossing arm system may include a crossing arm and a crossing arm motor. Methods of using the pedestrian safety system function to detect movement of pedestrians in proximity to a vehicle are disclosed. In particular, for detecting movement of children in proximity to a school bus.