An object detection device is applied to an object detection system which includes an object detection sensor installed in a vehicle so as to be oriented outward to detect an object around the vehicle. The object detection device includes: an error-handling control section that notifies a user of a detection error, if any, occurring in the object detection sensor, and brings the object detection system into an error-handling state; an action determination section that determines whether an error correction action has been performed by a user to correct the detection error, under conditions where the user has been notified of the detection error occurring in the object detection sensor; and a cancellation control section that relaxes predetermined cancellation conditions for cancelling the error-handling state when the error correction action is determined to have been performed, compared to when not performed.

A Bluetooth apparatus for a vehicle controls a connection between a plurality of Bluetooth profiles and a terminal of a user based on whether a driver's seat is occupied by the user or based on whether the driver's seat is occupied by the user and whether the terminal of the user is located in the vehicle.

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 method for controlling a vehicle capable of detecting the presence of a passenger in the vehicle includes steps of: scanning an interior of the vehicle based on ultrasonic signals and constructing spatial data on the interior of the vehicle; and re-scanning the interior of the vehicle based on ultrasonic signals when preset conditions are satisfied and outputting a sensing result when a change of the ultrasonic signals, which is greater than a reference value, is detected in the previously constructed spatial data.

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 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.

Adaptive seatbelt systems and methods are provided for adjusting the position of a seatbelt relative to an occupant. An adaptive seatbelt system for a vehicle includes a seat. A belt is configured to restrain an occupant in the seat. An anchor point along the belt is provided at an elevated position. An actuator raises or lowers the anchor point relative to the seat. A controller receives an input signal containing occupant identifying information and biometric data corresponding to occupant identification data. A processor compares the occupant identifying information to occupant identification data to verify an occupant's identity. The processor may determine an optimal comfort height or an optimal restraint height for the third anchor point based on the biometric data. The actuator adjusts the anchor point to the optimal comfort height or to the optimal restraint height in response to signals from the processor.

Disclosed are active vehicle seat assemblies, methods for making and using such seat assemblies, and vehicles with active seat assemblies for counteracting unwanted inertial forces. An active vehicle seat assembly is disclosed that includes an occupant chair with interconnected seat and backrest portions. A motion sensor detects motion of the occupant chair and outputs signals indicative thereof. An automated platform movably mounts the occupant chair to the vehicle body. The platform includes: a pitch plate that pivots about two lateral axes; a pitch actuator that selectively pivots the pitch plate; a roll plate that pivots about two longitudinal axes; and a roll actuator that selectively pivots the roll plate. An on-board controller responds to signals from the motion sensor indicative of inertial motion disturbances to the chair by transmitting control signals to the pitch and/or roll actuators to pivot the pitch and/or roll plates to thereby counteract the inertial disturbances.

A system for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry is disclosed. The system includes a configuration system configured to alter the vehicle geometry, a communication system, and a controller in communication with the configuration system and the communication system, the controller configured to receive a configuration signal from the communication system, determine a configuration control signal, and automatically control the configuration system based on the control signal.

Vehicular control method to avoid collisions in which a smartphone is coupled to the vehicle while in a vehicular compartment. Data is generated from vehicle-resident sensors about operation of the vehicle and transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle. A communications network with another vehicle is established using the smartphone and the data transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone and data from sensors on the smartphone is transmitted via the smartphone and established communications network to other vehicle, the data including data about location and movement of the vehicle. Then, while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle, a vehicular operational function is controlled based in part on data transmitted using the smartphone and established communications network to cause movement of the vehicle to change in order to avoid a collision with the other vehicle.