A dual electrode occupant detection system configured to determine an occupant presence on a seat assembly, said system comprising: a seat assembly; a first electrode configured to be installed into the seat assembly proximate to a seating surface of the seat assembly, said first electrode configured to generate an electrode signal having a signal value dependent on an excitation signal applied to the first electrode and a proximity of the occupant; a second electrode distinct from the first electrode, said second electrode configured to be installed into the seat assembly and configured to generate an electrode signal having a signal value dependent on an excitation signal applied to the second electrode and the proximity of the occupant; and a controller configured to determine an occupant presence based on signal values arising from a high frequency excitation signal and a low frequency excitation signal being applied to two or more of a) only the first electrode, b) only the second electrode, and c) simultaneously both the first electrode and the second electrode, and characterized in that the first electrode is arranged proximate a central portion of the seating surface and the second electrode is configured proximate at least part of a perimeter portion of the seating surface, said electrodes exhibit different sensitivities to variations in environmental conditions, and the controller is configured to determine occupant presence based on a first signal value arising from a high frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a second signal value arising from a low frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a third signal value arising from the high frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode, a fourth signal value arising from the low frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode. a seat assembly; a first electrode configured to be installed into the seat assembly proximate to a seating surface of the seat assembly, said first electrode configured to generate an electrode signal having a signal value dependent on an excitation signal applied to the first electrode and a proximity of the occupant; a second electrode distinct from the first electrode, said second electrode configured to be installed into the seat assembly and configured to generate an electrode signal having a signal value dependent on an excitation signal applied to the second electrode and the proximity of the occupant; and a controller configured to determine an occupant presence based on signal values arising from a high frequency excitation signal and a low frequency excitation signal being applied to two or more of a) only the first electrode, b) only the second electrode, and c) simultaneously both the first electrode and the second electrode, and characterized in that the first electrode is arranged proximate a central portion of the seating surface and the second electrode is configured proximate at least part of a perimeter portion of the seating surface, said electrodes exhibit different sensitivities to variations in environmental conditions, and the controller is configured to determine occupant presence based on a first signal value arising from a high frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a second signal value arising from a low frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a third signal value arising from the high frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode, a fourth signal value arising from the low frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode. a first signal value arising from a high frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a second signal value arising from a low frequency excitation signal being applied to only the first electrode, a third signal value arising from the high frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode, a fourth signal value arising from the low frequency excitation signal being applied to one of only the second electrode, and simultaneously to both the first electrode and the second electrode.