ZF Lifetec has combined camera and sensor data to classify occupants, enabling adaptive and safety-optimized deployment of airbags and seatbelt systems, to assist automakers in meeting the evolving Euro NCAP criteria.
Using advanced camera and sensor fusion, the system will identify and classify vehicle occupants in real time. This enables adaptive deployment of airbags and seatbelts tailored to individual body types, postures, and seating positions. The latest algorithms classify occupants by size, weight, and seating posture, which enables adaptive control of airbags and seatbelt systems by integrating camera, seat, and belt-sensor data.
ZF Lifetec’s head of R&D, Harald Lutz, says adaptively adjusting restraint systems is a key step toward improving real-life safety: “With the shift toward automated driving and the resulting redesign of vehicle interiors, adaptive restraint systems are becoming increasingly relevant. Accurate occupant recognition is essential – it forms the basis for flexible, individualized safety architecture”.
The system features precise detection of children and child seats to adjust airbag deployment, and seat occupancy recognition to provide reliable seatbelt warnings and support for emergency response chains. The system also provides alerts for incorrect seatbelt usage and occupant classification for customized restraint strategies. And it detects out-of-position seating and issues timely warnings or suppresses the activation of safety-critical systems.
