A vehicle occupant
sensing system includes a
laser array that generates three beams. A first beam is directed toward an upper body zone, a second beam is directed toward a middle body zone, and a third beam is directed toward a
lower body zone. A first sensor
assembly receives reflection beams from the upper body zone and generates a first
signal that represents a proportional amount of an occupant present in the upper body zone. A second sensor
assembly receives reflection beams from the middle body zone and generates a second
signal that represents a proportional amount of the occupant present in the middle body zone. A third sensor
assembly receives reflection beams from the
lower body zone and generates a third
signal that represents a proportional amount of the occupant present in the
lower body zone. The
laser array and the first, second, and third sensor assemblies are all mounted within a common housing that is mounted to a vehicle structure such as an A-pillar or
rear view mirror. A central processor receives the first, second, and third signals and combines the signals to generate a
control signal representative of the position of the occupant within the vehicle. The
control signal is used to control deployment of an
airbag based on the position of the occupant within the vehicle.