PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE PROTECTION SYSTEM

The present disclosure is directed to a pedestrian protection system that includes a first sensor (16) that generates a first signal indicating a traffic condition in front of a vehicle (6). The pedestrian protection system also includes an external airbag system (10) that deploys an external airbag (12) outside of a vehicle (6). In operation, a processor (32) receives the first signal from the first sensor (16), processes the first signal to detect a hazard condition, and activates the external airbag system (10) in response to the detected hazard condition to protect at least one of a pedestrian (14) and the vehicle (6).