Method for controlling a vehicular component based on the position and velocity
of an occupant in which the current position and velocity of the occupant are determined,
an expected position of the occupant is determined based on the current position
and current velocity of the occupant and the component is controlled in consideration
of the expected position of the occupant. If the component is a deployable occupant
protection device, deployment can be suppressed if the expected position of the
occupant is not in a predetermined acceptable position for deployment of the occupant
protection device, i.e., the occupant is out-of-position. The position and velocity
can be determined several times after the start of the crash and prior to deployment
of the occupant protection device so as to enable continual adjustment and control
thereof based on the most recent position and velocity of the occupant. The position
and velocity of the occupant can be determined using a wave transmitter/receiver
arrangement. The velocity of the occupant can be determined from successive position measurements.
