An occupant determination apparatus includes a load sensor that detects weight of an occupant seated on a seat of a vehicle, and a determinator determining the weight of the occupant as one status among a plurality of statuses which is set corresponding to the weight based on the measurement weight measured by the load sensor. In a case where an absolute value of acceleration acting on the vehicle becomes equal to or larger than the threshold value set in advance, the determinator determines the weight of the occupant as one of the status among the plurality of statuses based on the measurement weight measured before it becomes the threshold value.

A plate type tension sensor having apertures, a spring structure, and a gap are provided. The spring structure allows the apertures to move relative to each other as tension is applied to a seat belt to which the plate is attached. The movement changes the width of the gap. The tension applied to a vehicle restraint system may be determined based on the gap width.

An apparatus, method of manufacturing, and method of using a strain gage load cell anchor are provided that include a safety belt anchor for connecting a safety belt to a vehicle. The safety belt anchor may have a first anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a safety belt, and the anchor may have a second anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a vehicle. One or more strain gages may be provided on the safety belt anchor to measure a force applied to the safety belt anchor, such that the safety belt anchor operates as a strain gage load cell anchor.

A vehicle system for a vehicle includes memory hardware in communication with data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include determining whether the vehicle is in park, determining whether an occupant is in the vehicle, determining whether a seatbelt of the vehicle is buckled, determining whether there is a potential threat to the vehicle, and if the vehicle is in park, an occupant is in the vehicle, the seatbelt is buckled, and there is a potential threat to the vehicle, activating defensive measures.

The disclosed technology includes self-inflating animal harness systems. The self-inflating harness system can include a harness configured to be secured to an animal, an airbag attached to the harness and configured to inflate to protect the animal, and a controller in communication with the airbag. The controller can be configured to receive data from one or more sensors and determine, based on the received data, whether the data is indicative of a collision. In response to determining that the data is indicative of a collision, the controller can be configured to output a control signal to the airbag to cause the airbag to inflate.

The disclosed technology includes self-inflating animal harness systems. The self-inflating harness system can include a harness configured to be secured to an animal, an airbag attached to the harness and configured to inflate to protect the animal, and a controller in communication with the airbag. The controller can be configured to receive data from one or more sensors and determine, based on the received data, whether the data is indicative of a collision. In response to determining that the data is indicative of a collision, the controller can be configured to output a control signal to the airbag to cause the airbag to inflate.

A computer-implemented method for automated evaluation of crash test data includes reading a data set with crash test data from a plurality of available data sets. The method proceeds by extracting from the data set time-dependent force signals that are attributable to a seatbelt tensioner of a passenger restraint system of a vehicle and calculating changes in force F.sub.i from the force signals at fixed or determinable time intervals between 0.05 ms and 0.15 ms, up to a fixed or determinable time threshold between 20 ms and 30 ms, starting from the time of vehicle impact on the barrier. The method then includes checking whether the force change F.sub.i reaches or exceeds a fixed or determinable threshold value within the time threshold in at least one of the time intervals.