Occupant airbag and control system for use in autonomous vehicles with retractable steering wheels

An occupant airbag system for use in an autonomous vehicle, the occupant airbag system comprising:

• an airbag control module including an airbag deployment module, a steering wheel position module and a seat position module;
• a first airbag assembly positioned in a retractable steering wheel of the autonomous vehicle, the first airbag assembly in communication with the airbag control module;
• a second airbag assembly positioned in an instrument panel of the autonomous vehicle, the second airbag assembly in communication with the airbag control module;
• a steering wheel position sensor in communication with the airbag control module, the steering wheel position sensor configured to send a first position signal to the airbag control module indicative of a position of the retractable steering wheel;
• and a seat position sensor in communication with the airbag control module, the seat position sensor configured to send a second position signal to the airbag control module indicative of the a position of a seat in the autonomous vehicle,
• wherein the airbag deployment module is configured to enable deployment of an instrument panel airbag cushion from the second airbag assembly and to suppress deployment of a steering wheel airbag cushion from the first airbag assembly when the first position signal and the second position signal indicate that the position of the retractable steering wheel and the position of the seat will not interfere with deployment of the instrument panel airbag cushion.