SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

An occupant classification system for a seat assembly () includes a plurality of sensors (), a posture classifier and a weight classification system. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion () and a seat back (). Each of the plurality of sensors () measures a force applied to the seat cushion () by an occupant of the seat assembly. The posture classifier identifies a posture of the occupant based on the distribution of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors (). The weight classification system identifies a weight class of the occupant based on the posture and the magnitude of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors ().