Delphi Automotive Systems announced Sept. 28 at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2000 that it is supplying its smart occupant passenger detection system for Jaguar. The Delphi Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS) is being introduced as standard equipment on the 2001 Jaguar XK sports car series Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS). The PODS technology enables vehicle manufacturers to improve the effectiveness of airbag protection through smart deployment or suppression of the passenger’s airbag. The Delphi PODS technology consists of a bladder-based weight-sensing technology mounted under the passenger seat cushion. Using occupant classification algorithms and signal processing, it allows the vehicle airbag controller to variably deploy or suppress the passenger airbag. Designed to measure the occupants’ loading force on the vehicle's seat, the system classifies the occupant according to weight, and provides the information to the airbag controller based on the occupant’s characteristics, an important factor in determining whether, and to what extent, the airbag should be deployed. Also, some repair cost savings are achieved with vehicles equipped with the PODS technology since the passenger airbag is designed to not deploy when the passenger seat is empty. Unlike systems with manual on/off switches, the passive system requires no interaction or involvement by the driver or passengers to achieve the appropriate deployment decision. In addition, the system is nearly universal to all seat types without affecting seat crashworthiness. Occupant-sensing products are anticipated to exceed $3.6 billion in new revenue opportunities for automotive suppliers by 2006, according to Strategy Analytics Ltd. (Automotive System Demand report, September 2000).