Various implementations include seats and related systems for detecting user proximity and controlling one or more functions based on that proximity detection. In particular cases, the seats include an upper seat section with at least one two-dimensional (2D) contrast indicator that is detectable by a sensor system to indicate a position of the upper seat section.

A device which detects a child presence in a car seat and communicates an audible and mobile-device reminder to the driver that a child occupant is in the seat is disclosed. The system utilizes internal sensors to monitor various vehicle occupancy conditions to determine when a triggering event has occurred while the car seat occupancy sensor is engaged. Once triggered, the system will immediately notify the driver that the child remains in the car seat inside the vehicle, and will also sent follow-up alerts.

A device which detects a child presence in a car seat and communicates an audible and mobile-device reminder to the driver that a child occupant is in the seat is disclosed. The system utilizes internal sensors to monitor various vehicle occupancy conditions to determine when a triggering event has occurred while the car seat occupancy sensor is engaged. Once triggered, the system will immediately notify the driver that the child remains in the car seat inside the vehicle, and will also sent follow-up alerts.

There is provided a haptic system for providing sensory augmentation to a subject, the haptic system including a haptic surface for interacting with the subject, the haptic surface including an array of haptic portions, each haptic portion configured to be controllable to perform a haptic action; an image generator configured to generate a depth map based on information obtained on a scene captured of a surrounding environment; and a controller configured to control each of the array of haptic portions based on a property of a corresponding portion of the depth map. There is also provided a corresponding method for providing sensory augmentation to a subject and a vehicle having installed therein the haptic system.

A method, system, and device for controlling internal systems within a vehicle based on user preferences is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a floor mat, presence of a user seated on a seat within the vehicle. The method further includes capturing, by the floor mat, at least one user characteristic associated with the user in response to detecting presence of the user. The method includes controlling, by the floor mat, at least one internal system within the vehicle based on the at least one user characteristic, wherein the floor mat communicates with a central controller in the vehicle to control the at least one internal system.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for enacting various driving profiles based on identifying the age and gender of the user. Initially, identifying information is acquired from a user of a vehicle. An identification program determines whether the driver is known, by comparing the identifying information to a set of stored identifying information. If the driver of the vehicle is known, as the identifying information from the user is similar to stored identifying information, then a specific driver profile associated with the specific driver is activated. If the driver is not known, as the identifying information from the user of the vehicle is not similar to the stored identifying information, then the age and gender of the user of the vehicle is determined. Based on the determined age and gender of the driver of the vehicle, various vehicle setting ranges are enacted.

A head restraint is provided for a seat for use with a motor vehicle. The head restraint includes a base configured to be attached to the seat, and a main portion configured to be positioned between the base and a head of a seat occupant when the base is attached to the seat and the seat is mounted in the vehicle. The head restraint further includes at least one movement mechanism associated with at least one of the base and the main portion and configured to move at least part of the main portion laterally or upwardly and downwardly relative to the base.

A device which detects a child presence in a car seat and communicates an audible and mobile-device reminder to the driver that a child occupant is in the seat is disclosed. The system utilizes internal sensors to monitor various vehicle occupancy conditions to determine when a triggering event has occurred while the car seat occupancy sensor is engaged. Once triggered, the system will immediately notify the driver that the child remains in the car seat inside the vehicle, and will also sent follow-up alerts.

A vehicle adjustment assembly including sensors for adjusting the position of an auxiliary component of the vehicle is disclosed. The sensor is connected to the vehicle and is configured to detect a user's characteristics. The sensor generates data regarding the user's characteristics, and a computer receives the data generated by the sensor related to the user's characteristics. The auxiliary system is adjusted via input signals from the computer in response to the data generated by the sensor.

A vehicle is provided that includes a safety system that can provide an alert, external to the vehicle, that can warn other vehicles, people, etc. that a driver and/or passenger(s) are exiting the vehicle. Methods and systems determine when an occupant of a vehicle is about to exit by sensing the exit movement or an exit sequence, which may be detected by internal vehicle sensors. In response to the exit sequence, the vehicle may control one or more alert features, associated with the vehicle, to provide an external alert to other vehicles and/or users outside of the vehicle that a driver and/or passenger(s) is/are about to exit.