Passenger detector

The present invention relates to a passenger detector, which is used to detect the presence of a passenger on the seat of a vehicle and/or said passenger's position on said seat. Such a detector has a particular application in controlling a motor vehicle protection system such as airbags. A description is given of a passenger detector comprising a flexible support of insulating material, at least two electrode structures placed on said insulating substrate at a certain distance from each other, and a layer of semiconducting material placed above said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector. In conformity with the invention, said layer of semiconducting material has an internal resistance that varies with a deformation of said layer and said layer of semiconducting material is placed in intimate contact with said electrode structures.