Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode each including a pair of tab portions and a bridge portion interconnecting the pair of tab portions, and a first closing aid provided exteriorly of the housing opposite the electrode pair and applying a force in a direction toward the electrode region of the housing, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state results in attraction of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a cruise control system of a vehicle using the moods of one or more occupants are described herein. In one example, a system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine, using a mood model, the mood of at least one occupant of a vehicle and a setting for a cruise control to maintain a distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle based on the determined mood. The instructions then cause the processor to set the cruise control to operate according to the setting.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to estimating the origins of abnormal driving through observed driving patterns. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, using parallel computations, abnormal classifications associated with a subject vehicle and nearby vehicles according to driving patterns derived from observation data, the abnormal classifications being associated with exceeding a position range in the observation data. The method also includes estimating an origin of abnormal driving with happens-before analysis according to the abnormal classifications, and the abnormal driving is associated with deviations in a traffic flow associated with the subject vehicle and the nearby vehicles. The method also includes controlling the subject vehicle using a driving command according to the origin.

Abstract: An active road surface maintenance system and method developed for connected vehicles with the aid of a mobility digital twin (MDT) framework. A method performed in a cloud-based digital space includes receiving data regarding a physical object from a physical space connected to a vehicle. The method also includes processing the data using machine learning to model road surface conditions, in which respective penalty values are assigned to corresponding road surfaces, a respective penalty value being higher the lower a condition of the corresponding road surface. The method also includes deriving instructions based on the modeled road surface conditions and the respective penalty values to guide actuation of the vehicle along a trajectory. The method further includes transmitting the instructions to the physical space connected to the vehicle to guide actuation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle including a floor surface and a seat. The floor surface has a floor striker. The seat is movable between a seated state and a stowed state. The seat includes a seat cushion frame, a sear back, and a seat latch. The seat cushion frame has a seat striker. The seat back is rotatably coupled to the seat cushion frame. In the seated positon, the seat latch engaged with the floor striker. In the stowed state, the seat latch engages with the seat striker.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a drive system control architecture that comprises a seamless interface between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., accelerator pedal, brake pedal, accessory components, etc.) and third-party (or non-OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., motor/generator (MG) and inverter systems, fuel cell and battery systems, transmission, etc.). A universal interface implemented in a vehicle may receive a request for a specified amount of torque from one or more components of a first set of vehicle components, and may determine a balance between one or more components of a second set of vehicle components for delivering the specified amount of torque. The universal interface may then instruct the one or more components of the second set of vehicle components to deliver a commensurate portion of the specified amount of torque.

Abstract: An appendage massaging device that includes an appendage wrap having an inner band and an outer layer and one or more artificial muscles disposed between the inner band and the outer layer of the appendage wrap. Each of the one or more artificial muscles include a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the inner band of the appendage wrap.

Abstract: A system for reducing overconsumption of power in a vehicle includes a power source including a battery having a state of charge (SOC), and a fuel cell stack that generates electricity. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the power source and designed to receive a power request corresponding to a requested amount of power from the power source. The ECU is further designed to determine a fuel cell power amount corresponding to an amount of the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack to achieve the requested amount of power. The ECU is further designed to determine an overconsumption event when a current power consumption corresponding to a total amount of power being drawn from the power source is greater than the power request. The ECU is further designed to increase the fuel cell power amount in response to determining the overconsumption event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle comprising a wheel with an associated air-cooled motor, and a ventilation path for passing outside air from outside the vehicle into the motor. An electrostatic device is disposed proximate to the ventilation path. When the electrostatic device is energized, particles or debris in the outside air are attracted toward or repelled from the electrostatic device, such that the particles or debris are removed from the outside air before the outside air enters the motor.

Abstract: A parking seeker detection system and method for updating an availability of one or more parking spots of a parking spot database is provided. The method includes determining whether a target vehicle is a registered member vehicle, and in response to determining that the target vehicle is not a registered member vehicle, identifying a target parking spot in which the target vehicle is intending to park and updating an availability of a parking spot of a parking spot database corresponding to the target parking spot.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for temperature regulation of a charging system. A fluid is provided within a channel formed between a charging component of the charging system in a vehicle and a regulation jacket that surrounds the charging component. The charging component of the charging system is cooled via the fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle including a powered running board, a motor for positioning the powered running board between a stowed position and a deployed position, a sensor configured to capture data of activity around the vehicle, and an electronic control unit configured to process the data captured by the sensor to detect an unauthorized event around the vehicle, and operate the motor to repeatedly move the powered running board in a predetermined pattern based on at least one of position and a speed in response to the sensor detecting an unauthorized event around the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is related configuring a vehicle according to a user profile, where an individual user profile can be selected from a registry containing one or more user profiles using electroencephalogram (EEG). An additional biometric, such as gait, can also be used. The user profiles can include a variety of the user preferences, such as the preferred climate, seat settings, mode of payment, route to take, and more. A mobile device can also be used to add a layer of security and privacy, where the mobile device has sole access to the user's user profile.

Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.

Abstract: A method of transporting a vehicle engine wire harness from a component preparation location to a component pick location is provided. The method includes placing the vehicle engine wire harness on a hook of a component hanger. The component hanger with vehicle engine wire harness is directed along a supply track assembly through a heated enclosure to the component pick location at a vehicle assembly line.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining parking spaces to rent to the public. The systems and methods can determine a plurality of time bins and receive data on the occupancy of parking spaces for each time bin. A determined number of reserved spaces can be calculated for each time bin. Restrictions associated with the parking space can also be determined. A final number of parking spaces to rent can be determined based on the determined number of reserved spaces and the restrictions.

Abstract: A cover system for covering a vehicle tow hitch connector includes at least a first retention member including a first retention slot, and a first door support coupled to the first retention member. A second door support is positioned opposite the first door support. A door is rotatably coupled to the first and second door supports. The door includes a first retention projection structured to be received in the first retention slot to position the door in a closed orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an integrated and removable traction device, such as a tread board. The traction device may be integrated into a bumper of the vehicle. When mounted/installed on the bumper, the traction device can act as a cover to a storage unit implemented in the bumper. When removed, the traction device can be placed under a wheel of the vehicle to provide increased traction on certain surfaces. By integrating the traction device into the vehicle's bumper area, the traction device need not occupy, e.g., interior storage space of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for data storage for a subject vehicle and include receiving data items at the subject vehicle data from a plurality of data sources and determining whether a data item received from one of the plurality of data sources is redundant with a data item already captured by the subject vehicle. If so, the system eliminates the redundant data item to obtain a nonredundant data set of nonredundant data items and determines whether to store a nonredundant data item of the nonredundant data set based on flow characteristics of the nonredundant data item.