System and method for moving a headrest based on anticipatory sensing

Abstract

System and method for moving a headrest against which an occupant can rest his or her head in which an anticipatory crash sensor detects an impending crash based on data obtained prior to the crash and a movement mechanism moves the headrest upon detection of an impending crash by the crash sensor. The crash sensor may produce an output signal when an object external from the vehicle is approaching the vehicle at a velocity above a design threshold velocity. The crash sensor may be any type of sensor designed to provide an assessment or determination of an impending impact prior to the impact, i.e., from data obtained prior to the impact Thus, the crash sensor can be an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic wave sensor, a radar sensor, a noise radar sensor and a camera, a scanning laser radar and a passive infrared sensor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.