Air stream velocity control for ventilation system

A system (100) and a method (400) of controlling a ventilation or HVAC system that is configured to provide an air stream (110) having a comfortable contact velocity (216) to an occupant (114) seated in a vehicle cabin (116). The system (100) includes a sensor (124) to determine the distance (118) from a discharge nozzle (112) to the vehicle occupant (114) and a controller (122) to control the exit velocity and/or an effective diameter (220) of the nozzle (112). The sensor (124) may use ultrasonic, infrared, LIDAR, or RADAR technology to determine distance (118). The system (100) may determine the distance (118) from the nozzle (112) to the occupant based on a seat location determined by a seat location sensor (130). The seat location sensor (130) may be common to an inflatable restraint (air bag) system.