Delphi To Supply GM With New Passive Occupant Detection System.(General Motors Corp.)(Brief Article)

Delphi Automotive Systems said it has been awarded a contract with General Motors Corp. for its advanced passive occupant detection system (PODS), company officials said. Financial details were not released. The technology will be featured on various GM programs between 2001 and 2004, with specific program details to be announced at a later date, GM officials said.

The technology was first introduced last year as standard equipment on the 2001 Jaguar XK sports car series Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS), the company said. It has since been slated for use on other Ford Motor Co. products.

Delphi's total revenue for PODS now has the potential to grow in excess of $300 million annually in 2004, the company said. Delphi's PODS is a seat-based sensor providing information to the airbag computer to determine whether to suppress or allow passenger variable airbag deployment based on the passenger's weight classification, it said.

Recently enacted legislation requires that vehicles marketed in the United States must begin implementation of an advanced airbag system, with 100 percent compliance required by model year 2006.

"Delphi's unique features of the PODS provides additional protection and safety to motor vehicle passengers," said Dave Wohleen, executive vice president of Delphi Automotive Systems. The Delphi PODS technology consists of a silicon-based load cell cushion weight-sensing technology mounted under the passenger seat cushion. Using sophisticated occupant classification algorithms and extensive signal processing, it allows the vehicle airbag controller to variably deploy or suppress the passenger airbag, the company said.

Designed to measure the occupant's 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 with what force, the airbag should be deployed, GM said. Also, some repair cost- savings may be achieved for vehicles that are involved in accidents and are equipped with the PODS technology as the passenger airbag is designed to not deploy when the passenger seat is empty, GM said.

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