Also known as seat occupant sensors, occupant detection systems, and passenger weight systems, Occupant classification systems are passenger safety enhancement systems that are getting increasingly popular in the automotive manufacturing industry. These systems detect the presence of a passenger in a seat regardless of the design by the original equipment manufacturers in terms of approximate weight, seating position, and more and uses this information for the optimal deployment of safety systems such as airbags in case of accidents.
Increased Emphasis on Child Passenger Safety Boosts Adoption Rates
Airbags have been widely considered to be a massive improvement in automotive safety systems as they have a substantial effect in mitigating adverse reactions to road accidents. On the other hand, the deployment of airbags has been found to be potentially fatal towards child passengers below 6 years of age on an average.
Consequently, regulatory bodies such as the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration have implemented laws that mandate the use of automated suppression systems for the airbags in case the presence of small children are detected in the vehicle. Conventional Occupant classification systems made use of single grayscale camera in addition to a digital signal processors that provide real time responses to accident situations. While these systems have a high accuracy rate and low cost of production and installation, manufacturers are increasing their efforts towards performance improvements through research and development activities.
Manufacturers Increase Investments in Tech Development
Major manufacturers around the world are working on integrating new technologies in their Occupant classification system products which include weight detection sensors, motion detection sensors, and posture detection algorithms based on artificial intelligence that work to optimize the release and force of safety systems within the automobile.
Consequently, when accidents occur the Occupant classification systems activate airbags and restraint systems as per individual passenger requirements. Further, these systems will also be able to detect other objects within the vehicle that are potentially detrimental to the safety of the passenger, and optimize use of safety mechanisms in the vehicle.
In addition, these systems are also anticipated to gain importance with the advent of driverless, automated vehicles, as passengers and drivers will be allowed increased flexibility in terms of seating positions, which makes the appropriate operations of the restraint systems in the vehicle very important in the future of automobile development.
High Costs in Installation and Repair to Restrict Manufacturers
The installation of Occupant classification systems by original equipment manufacturers and repairs after accidents require high accuracy vehicle diagnostic scans on the automobiles mechanical and electronic systems. These tests are highly cost intensive, which increases the cost of the vehicle production process. Also in case of an accident, the repairing and synchronization of Occupant classification systems cost the customer high amounts. Consequently, this high cost is projected to be a key factor that restrains and slows the adoption of such systems in modern automobiles, especially in developing nations around the globe.
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