System and method for inflatable restraint for a ride vehicle

A restraint system for a ride vehicle, the restraint system comprising:

• a passenger support coupled to the ride vehicle;
• a restraint configured to transition between an open configuration that facilitates passenger access to the passenger support and a secure configuration that facilitates securement of the passenger within the passenger support;
• a lateral side portion of the passenger support comprising a bladder system;
• one or more sensors configured to detect a parameter indicative of passenger engagement with the bladder system and configured to provide data indicative of the parameter;
• and
• an inflation system configured to control inflation of the bladder system based on the data to establish a level of engagement of the bladder system with the passenger in conjunction with the restraint being in the secure configuration.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a first sensor indicative of a location of a distal end portion of a passenger leg relative to a bottom side of a ride vehicle;
• determining, via the processor, an estimated location of the distal end portion of the leg based on the received first signal;
• and
• controlling, via the processor, a compressor to selectively inflate at least one bladder of a plurality of bladders based on the estimated location;
• wherein the at least one bladder is disposed above the estimated location relative to the bottom side.