The Development of a ‘Smart Seat’ Occupant Size and Position Sensing System for the Enhancement of Occupant Protection

This research investigated whether the performance of vehicle secondary safety systems could be enhanced if the physical characteristics of the occupant and their position in relation to the interior of the vehicle were known. The system could then tailor its performance in terms of e.g. airbag firing times, airbag inflation, to the characteristics of the occupant. User trials were conducted to find the measures required to identify reliably occupant sizes and seated position in the vehicle. MADYMO modelling studies investigated the benefits to different sizes of drivers. A technology demonstrator incorporated seat mounted sensors to provide the required measurements. The project has shown that it is feasible to obtain data about the characteristics of vehicle occupants and their seating position from seat mounted sensors and that this information can be used to enhance the performance of secondary safety systems, providing benefit especially for people who sit close to the steering wheel.