Dual electrode occupant detection system and method

A dual-electrode occupant (12) detection system (10) configured to determine an occupant (12) presence on a seat assembly (32). The system (10) includes two electrodes (20, 28) that each generates an electric field in response to an applied excitation signal (50). The two electrode signals arising therefrom can be measured individually and/or combined to detect more reliably an occupant (12). Such a configuration advantageously avoids the added expense and complication of an electrode arrangement that relies on an underlying shield layer to reduce electrode signal (24) degradation caused by a seat heater element.