LOW IMPACT DETECTION FOR AUTOMATED DRIVING VEHICLES

A method helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle () equipped with an automated driving system () and a vehicle safety system () by detecting low impact crash events () with the vehicle (). The method includes utilizing automated driving sensors () of the automated driving system () to identify possible low impact collision risks. The method also includes utilizing vehicle safety system sensors () of the vehicle safety system to determine a low impact collision resulting from the identified possible low impact collision. A vehicle safety system () includes an airbag controller unit () configured to implement the method to determine low impact crash events with the vehicle ().