Adaptive energy absorption unit and method for absorbing impact energy of an object on a vehicle

The unit has first- and second absorber elements arranged one behind another in an effective direction (141), where the first and second absorber elements partially deform an impact energy amount during absorbtion of impact energy that acts in the effective direction. An actuator unit enables or disables a relative movement of the first absorber element relative to the second absorber element in response to an actuator signal. The first absorbing element is partly inserted into the second absorbing element, where the first and second absorbing elements are designed as absorber profiles. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for absorbing impact energy of an object on a vehicle (2) a control device (3) a computer program product having a set of instructions for executing a method for absorbing impact energy of an object on a vehicle.