1. An image processing system for use with an airbag deployment system having a seat, an occupant in the seat, a sensor for generating sensor readings, an airbag, and an airbag controller, said image processing system comprising: a segmented image of the occupant obtained from the sensor reading; a tracking and predicting subsystem, including an occupant characteristic, said tracking and predicting subsystem identifying said occupant characteristic from said segmented image; and a crash detection subsystem, including a crash determination, said crash detection subsystem generating said crash determination from said occupant characteristic.