System and method for obtaining information about components in a vehicle in which reflective devices are arranged in association with each component, a detector detects waves reflected by the reflective device(s), and a processor obtains information about the components from the detected waves. Reflection of waves from each reflective device is transformed into information about the reflective device, such as deriving the distance between the reflective device and the detector from the reflected waves and transforming this distance determination into a determination of the position of the component. In addition to or instead of the position of the component, the orientation of the component can be determined, or the presence of the component. Information derived from the reflective device(s) can be used to control any number and variety of vehicular systems, such as an occupant protection system.