Development of Fuzzy Based Decision Structure for Automotive Airbag Control Unit

This study is an attempt to develop a decision support and control structure based on fuzzy logic for deployment of automotive airbags. Airbags, though an additional safety feature in vehicles, have proven to be fatal at various instances. Most of these casualties could have been avoided by using seat belts in the intended manner that is, as a primary restraint system. Fatalities can be prevented by induction of smart systems which can sense the presence and differentiate between passengers and conditions prevailing at a particular instant. Fuzzy based decision making has found widespread use due to its ability to accept non-binary or grey data and compute a reliable output. Smart airbags also allow the Airbag Control Unit to control inflation speed depending on instantaneous conditions. The objective of this study is to develop a decision system which could control a microcontroller using IF-THEN statements and thereby control and optimize airbag deployment speed depending on the accident circumstances. After an in-depth study of literature available on accidents and airbag deployment circumstances, rules for fuzzy decision structure have been drafted and rule surfaces computed. The study involved collection of ergonomic data of over 20 passenger car variants of some prominent automobile companies sold in the Indian market and then their careful analysis in conjunction with deceleration of vehicle, distance from airbag panel, velocity of vehicle, seat belt and weight of passenger. The input variables include the aforementioned factors and multilevel inflation speed is the output variable of the proposed decision structure.