Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle configured to selectively deactivate a restricted power mode based on an acceleration request, such as an imminent or current acceleration request. A corresponding method is also disclosed. An example electrified vehicle includes a battery and a controller configured to apply a restricted power mode when a state of health of the battery is below a predefined lower threshold. Further, when in the restricted power mode, the controller is configured to limit an amount of power drawn from the battery. Additionally, the controller is configured to selectively deactivate the restricted power mode in response to a signal indicating a current or imminent request for acceleration of the electrified vehicle requiring power to be drawn from the battery above an upper limit of the restricted power mode.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and memory, the memory can store instructions executable by the processor to display a first calibration symbol to appear at a first location of a virtual image plane viewable from a measured location of the eyes or head of an operator and display a second calibration symbol to appear at a second location of the virtual image plane according to an offset distance from the first location. The instructions additionally can additionally be to adjust the offset distance in response to adjusting the second location by receiving input from the operator to align the first calibration symbol with the second calibration symbol.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a system configured with a brain machine interface (BMI) system implemented in a vehicle for performing vehicle functions using electrical impulses from motor cortex activity in a user's brain. The system uses fuzzy states for increased robustness. The fuzzy states are defined by sets of Gaussian kernel-type membership functions that are defined for steering and velocity action function states. The membership functions define fuzzy states that provide overlapping control tiers for increasing and decreasing vehicle functionality. An autonomous vehicle may perform control and governance of transitions between membership functions that may overlap, resulting in smooth transitioning between the states.

Abstract: A pet bowl is provided that comprises a housing defining a water container, a proximity sensor located proximate to the water container, the proximity sensor having conductive circuitry comprising a first circuit made of a first metal and a second circuit made of a dissimilar second metal, and a controller processing signals received from the proximity sensor, the controller selectively switching the conductive circuitry between a first configuration operating as the proximity sensor to sense water contained in the container and a second configuration operating as a thermocouple to sense temperature proximate to the water container.

Abstract: A method for managing energy for a building includes connecting a power line of the building to a battery of a vehicle via a charger; responsive to occurrence of a power outage, supplying electric energy to the building from the battery and from an energy storage separate from the vehicle; and instructing the vehicle to recharge the battery and return to the building at a predefined time before stored energy of the energy storage falls below a predefined value.

Abstract: A distributed control system for an autonomous modular robot (AMR) vehicle includes a top module processor disposed in communication with a lower module processor, and memory for storing executable instructions of the top module processor and the lower module processor. The instructions are executable to cause the top module processor and the lower module processor to navigate a bottom module, via the bottom module processor, the AMR vehicle to a target destination. The instructions are further executable to determine, via the bottom module processor, that the AMR vehicle is localized at a target destination, transmit a request for a cargo unloading instruction set, and receive, via a top module processor, a response to a cargo unloading instruction set sent from the bottom module processor. The instructions further cause the top module processor to unload the cargo to a target destination surface via an unloading mechanism associated with the top module.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, each seat having an adjustable seat base and an adjustable seat back, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the cabin interior, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals, the controller further controlling at least one of the adjustable seat base and adjustable seat back of a seat based on the determined location of the pet so that the seat is configured to accommodate the pet.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for trash collection management. In an example embodiment, a dumpster monitoring apparatus may determine that an amount of garbage in a dumpster exceeds a threshold level (such as, for example, above a full-level marked on the dumpster). If the garbage exceeds the threshold level, the dumpster monitoring apparatus automatically transmits a request to a dumpster management apparatus to dispatch a garbage truck. In an example scenario, the dumpster monitoring apparatus may further determine that a current location of the dumpster is stationed is inaccessible to the garbage truck. Consequently, the dumpster monitoring apparatus may automatically transmit a request to a robot vehicle (such as robotic forklift) to move the dumpster from the current location to a new location that is accessible to the garbage truck. The dumpster monitoring apparatus may then inform the dumpster management apparatus of the new location.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a stake support bracket coupled to walls of a cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pick-up-bed truck for providing support to a stake of a standard size or a non-standard size. The stake support bracket includes a first panel, a second panel transverse to the first panel, and a third panel transverse to the second panel. The third panel includes a stake support opening. The stake support bracket further includes a first extension transverse to the third panel and extending away from the first panel and a second extension transverse to the first panel and extending away from the third panel. The stake support bracket provides support to the bottom and the sides of the stake and reduces probabilities of wobbling or pivoting of the stakes.

Abstract: A detected displacement of a marker on a vehicle is determined based on image data captured while the vehicle traverses a displacement object of a ground surface. Then a health status of a suspension component of the vehicle is determined to be unhealthy based on comparing the detected displacement of the marker to a target displacement of the marker. The target displacement specifies displacement of the marker that indicates the suspension component is healthy. The vehicle is operated based on the suspension component being unhealthy.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a seatback supported by the seat bottom. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the seatback. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position. The assembly includes a seatbelt webbing extending from the seatback to the airbag. The seatbelt webbing is between the airbag and the seatback in the inflated position. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic device supported by the seat bottom and operatively coupled to the airbag.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electrified vehicle and a method for managing such a system, includes a coolant subsystem to cool a battery pack and a refrigerant subsystem. The coolant subsystem includes a battery chiller in fluid communication with a cooling system inlet to the battery pack. The refrigerant subsystem includes a chiller cooling subsystem to cool the battery chiller and a cabin cooling subsystem to cool a passenger cabin, wherein the chiller cooling subsystem and the cabin cooling subsystem are completely separate from each other.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle pillar elongated along an axis. The assembly includes seatbelt retractor and a webbing retractably extendable from the retractor. The seatbelt retractor is lockable from an unlocked position in which the webbing is extendable from and retractable into the retractor to a locked position in which the retractor restricts extension of the webbing from the retractor. A seatbelt guide is supported by the pillar. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the seatbelt retractor around the seatbelt guide. A releasable connection connects the seatbelt guide to the pillar when the seatbelt retractor is in the unlocked position and releases the seatbelt guide relative to the pillar when force on the webbing exceeds a threshold when the seatbelt retractor is in the locked position. An energy absorber is between the vehicle pillar and the seatbelt guide.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to battery charging management of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an example method, a processor generates an operational profile for a first BEV among a number of BEVs. The profile may be based on a mileage accumulation pattern, a parking pattern, and/or a battery charging pattern, detected over an information collection period. The mileage accumulation pattern may be based on the use of the first BEV for commuting from a residence to a workplace. The processor determines an availability of a battery charging outlet in a section of a garage of the residence, and based on the operational profile of the first BEV, identifies a period of time for charging a battery of the first BEV in the garage. The processor then issues a directive to park the first BEV in the section of the garage over the identified period of time for charging the battery.

Abstract: Upon identifying an authorized user approaching a vehicle, vehicle locks are controlled to permit the authorized user to access an authorized area based on a user authorization. Permitted vehicle features within the authorized area for the authorized user are identified based on the user authorization. Upon receiving a user input selecting one permitted vehicle feature, the selected permitted vehicle feature is actuated based on determining that a state of charge of a battery is above a charge threshold. Upon determining that the state of charge of the battery decreases below the charge threshold, actuation of the selected permitted vehicle feature is stopped. Then an engine is controlled to charge the battery based on the user authorization.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to select a scanning rate for a first sensor of a vehicle based on at least one of data related to a current time or data related to a location of the vehicle; instruct the first sensor to run at the selected scanning rate; in response to receiving data from the first sensor indicating a newly present object, turn on a second sensor; and then record data from the second sensor. The second sensor has a higher power draw than the first sensor.

Abstract: Transportation-based service share systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method can include receiving a request from a service provider to reserve a ridehail vehicle for a ridehail having a time frame, the request specifying a service provided by the service provider; determining the ridehail vehicle for the service provider based on the service; and dispatching the ridehail vehicle, the service provider rendering the service during the ridehail.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle that loads a motor vehicle movement dataset (KBD) indicative of accelerations of the motor vehicle, loads a passenger movement dataset (PBD) indicative of movements of a passenger of the motor vehicle, evaluate the motor vehicle movement dataset (KBD) and the passenger movement dataset (PBD) by means of a transfer function with a predetermined threshold value (SW) in order to generate an image dataset (BS) for an infotainment system of the motor vehicle, and outputs the image dataset (BS) by means of the infotainment system.

Abstract: Sensor fusion is performed for efficient deep learning processing. A camera image is received from an image sensor and supplemental sensor data is received from one or more supplemental sensors, the camera image and the supplemental sensor data including imaging of a cabin of a vehicle. Regions of interest in the camera image are determined based on one or more of the camera image or the supplemental sensor data, the regions of interest including areas of the camera image flagged for further image analysis. A machine-learning model is utilized to perform object detection on the regions of interest of the camera image to identify one or more objects in the camera image. The objects are placed into seating zones of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery box for an electric vehicle includes an Al casting that extends between and joins to a BIW or chassis rails of the electric vehicle. The Al casting includes a bottom wall, a side wall with a pair of rails that are securely attached to the BIW or chassis rails of the vehicle, and a plurality of cross members. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the plurality of cross members define a structural enclosure with a plurality of battery compartments and at least one crush zone, and the structural enclosure is load bearing member of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A rack system for a cargo space of a commercial vehicle having a rack with at least one shelf and at least one adjusting device for adjusting the shelf about a pivot axis extending in the width direction of the rack between a loading and unloading setting and a transport setting, In order to provide a rack system that can be used more efficiently and more ergonomically, the adjusting device is designed in such a way that a tilt angle of the shelf in the transport setting is greater than in the loading and unloading setting, and a load surface of the shelf in the transport setting faces away from an access side of the rack.

Abstract: A structural assembly for an electric vehicle includes a battery structure, a pair of mounting structures, lower fasteners and upper fasteners. The battery structure is configured to house power storage units. Each mounting structure is secured to a respective side of the battery structure. Each lower fastener extends through a lower portion of a respective mounting structure and a bottom portion of a respective rocker of the vehicle body. Each upper fastener extends through an upper portion of the respective rocker and a top portion of the respective mounting structure. The upper fasteners secure the battery pack and the vehicle body at an upper attachment point and the lower fasteners secure the battery pack and the vehicle body at a lower attachment point. The lower attachment point is vertically offset from the upper attachment point.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elastic polymer aerogel material includes dissolving tire waste in a first portion of a solvent to form a first mixture; dissolving a polymer having at least one double carbon-carbon bond in a second portion of the solvent to form a second mixture; combining the first mixture and the second mixture, wherein the tire waste reacts with the polymer having at least one double carbon-carbon bond to form a reactant gel; and undergoing a solvent exchange on the reactant gel followed by freeze drying the reactant gel to form the elastic polymer aerogel material. The tire waste includes natural rubber, synthetic polymers, steel, and curing systems, and the elastic polymer aerogel material defines a 3D porous structure.

Abstract: Building infrastructure and robot coordination methods and systems are disclosed herein. An example method can include preregistering an autonomous vehicle with a building controller of a building to inform the building controller of arrival of the autonomous vehicle and a delivery request for a package, the delivery request specifying a recipient of the package, the recipient having a location in the building. The method can include determining completion of a validation routine with the autonomous vehicle, assigning a task management plan to the autonomous vehicle, the task management plan determining how the autonomous vehicle navigates through the building to deliver the package to the location, and tracking the autonomous vehicle through the building.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a cabin interior, a seat assembly having a seat base, a seat back and a plurality of actuators configured to adjust ergonomic positions of the seat assembly. The vehicle has a first imaging system located in the cabin interior and configured to capture first images of an upper body of an occupant seated on the seat assembly, and a second imaging system configured to capture second images of a lower body of the occupant seated on the seat assembly. A controller processes the first and second images to determine dimension data and position data of the occupant and determines an adjusted ergonomic configuration of the seating assembly, and controls the actuators to adjust the seat assembly to the adjusted ergonomic configuration.

Abstract: A rack system for a cargo space of a commercial vehicle is provided having a rack with at least one shelf and a movement device for moving the rack between a transport position, in which the rack can be arranged completely in the cargo space, and an access position, in which the rack can be arranged at least partially outside the cargo space. In order to provide a rack system which can be used more efficiently in respect of available cargo space, the rack system has a receiving unit for at least partially receiving at least one cargo item which can be arranged in the rack, wherein the receiving unit is arranged on the shelf so as to be displaceable in a depth direction of the rack.

Abstract: A vehicle-aided detection system for a vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle-aided detection system includes an end effector that is movable in an operating environment and coupled to a cargo bed via a robotic arm. A sensor system is configured to detect the end effector and at least one person in the operating environment. A controller is configured to process information received from the sensor system and to determine a physical profile of at least one person. The controller then determines whether user-worn equipment is equipped by the at least one person.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle roof and a vehicle floor spaced from the vehicle roof. The assembly includes a seat supported by the vehicle floor. The seat is rotatable about an axis of rotation from a forward-facing position to a rearward-facing position and the seat being movable along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a post elongated from the vehicle floor to the vehicle roof. The post is slidable along the vehicle roof and the vehicle floor along the vehicle-longitudinal axis adjacent the seat. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the post.

Abstract: A grounding assembly for a battery enclosure includes a washer including a first serrated surface and a second serrated surface opposite the first serrated surface, a fastener including a serrated surface configured to mate with the second serrated surface of the washer, and a seal disposed on the washer. The first serrated surface is configured to remove a non-conductive coating from the battery enclosure. The seal is configured to form a watertight barrier between the washer and the battery enclosure.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to providing assistance services to a disabled vehicle. In an example embodiment, a method executed by a first processor in a vehicle may involve detecting an event that places the vehicle in a disabled condition; transmitting information associated with the event to a second processor; and detecting an arrival of a assistance vehicle that is dispatched by the second processor based on an automated evaluation of the information associated with the event. The second processor, which can be, for example, a part of a server computer, may evaluate the information in order to identify an assistance vehicle having equipment for providing the assistance service. In an example scenario, the disabled vehicle and/or the assistance vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method includes determining uncertainty estimation in an object detection deep neural network (DNN) by retrieving a calibration dataset from a validation dataset that includes scores associated with all classes in an image, including a background (BG) class, determining background ground truth boxes in the calibration dataset by comparing ground truth boxes with detection boxes generated by the object detection DNN using an intersection over union (IoU) threshold, correcting for class imbalance between ground truth boxes and background ground truth boxes in a ground truth class by updating the ground truth class to include a number of background ground truth boxes based on a number of ground truth boxes in the ground truth class, estimating uncertainty of the object detection DNN based on the class imbalance correction, and updating output data sets of the object detection DNN based on the class imbalance correction.

Abstract: An acceleration of a head of an occupant of a vehicle relative to the vehicle is determined based on data describing motion of the vehicle and respective poses of the head from a plurality of consecutive frames of image data. A vehicle suspension is adjusted based on the determined acceleration.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis and a ring fixed relative to the sensor window and centered around the axis. The ring includes a liquid chamber, at least one nozzle, and an air chamber. The liquid chamber is elongated circumferentially around the axis. The at least one nozzle is fluidly connected to the liquid chamber and has a direction of discharge aimed at the sensor window. The air chamber is elongated circumferentially around the axis alongside the liquid chamber. The air chamber lacks inlets and outlets.

Abstract: Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and households or other structures, such as for supporting transient loads associated with the households/structures, for example. Vehicle information, driving habit information, and household information may be leveraged for providing enhanced transient load capability controls that permit increased appliance usage without increasing energy costs. The proposed systems/methods may particularly allow for bidirectional energy transfer support of high load appliances for increasing a user's comfort, pleasure, and convenience.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system may include a vehicle chassis, a centerless wheel which may include a wheel rim and a tire, and a natural active suspension assembly which may operably couple the centerless wheel to the vehicle chassis via the wheel rim. The natural active suspension assembly may support the vehicle chassis at a substantially constant distance away from a ground plane by generating reactive torque to counteract displacement of the centerless wheel normal to the ground plane by moving a support location between the natural active suspension assembly and the wheel rim.

Abstract: Upon detecting a mobile object approaching a target region, a target speed profile for a vehicle, a position and a speed for the vehicle, and a position and a speed for the mobile object are input to a first neural network that outputs an entry probability distribution of predicted entry times at which the mobile object will enter the target region. The target speed profile, the position and the speed for the vehicle, the position and the speed for the mobile object, and a predicted entry time at which the mobile object entered the target region are input to a second neural network that outputs an exit probability distribution of predicted exit times at which the mobile object will exit the target region. An optimized speed profile is determined based on the entry and exit probability distributions by executing a model predictive control algorithm in a rolling horizon. A vehicle is operated based on the optimized speed profile.

Abstract: A vehicle for improved user authentication is provided. The vehicle includes a biometric sensor; and a controller programmed to initiate a biometric authentication of a user within a vicinity of a vehicle using data received from the biometric sensor, and responsive to occurrence of a secondary trigger condition initiated by the user to gain access to the vehicle, complete the authentication to grant or deny access to the user. A system for remote management of lockout states for a vehicle is provided. A server is programmed to receive a lockout notification from the vehicle, responsive to occurrence of a failed access attempt using an access modality, the lockout notification including contextual information with respect to the occurrence of the failed access attempt; and send, responsive to the lockout notification, an indication of an administrative action to be performed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a roof and a pillar. The vehicle includes a track supported by the roof and elongated along a cross-vehicle axis. The vehicle includes a headliner slideable along the track from a stowed position to a deployed position. The headliner in the stowed position extends along the roof and in the deployed position extends along the pillar.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating steering controls between towing vehicles and towed vehicles provide more cohesive parking experiences during towing events, including bidirectional charging towing events. The towed vehicle may be controlled to provide assistive parking steering maneuvers to assist the towing vehicle when parking during the towing event. The assistive parking steering maneuver may include maneuvering a drive wheel of the towed vehicle either toward or away from a detected curb or detected traffic, for example.

Abstract: An electric machine having a plurality of AC power phases comprises a rotor, a stator defining a plurality of slots, and a plurality of pins inserted into the slots. The pins are each joined together with circumferentially adjacent pins arranged in an even number of paired parallel winding paths. Each of the paired winding paths include five pitch pins and seven pitch pins that are radially adjacent and insulated from each other. The five pitch pins are electrically connected and circumferentially followed by seven pitch pins in the winding paths in a repeating pattern throughout the paired winding paths from separate phase terminals to a neutral bridge terminal. Neutral terminals and lead terminals are connected to the conductive paths by various combinations of I-pins and half-crown pins.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a front subframe having two frame rails and a control arm connector on each frame rail. The assembly includes a panel supported on the frame rails and spaced vehicle-rearward of the control arm connector. The panel extends cross-vehicle from one of the frame rails to the other of the frame rails. The panel includes a channel elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a vehicle component spaced vehicle-rearward of the panel. The channel is aimed at the vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of joining electrical connections together includes evaluating at least one weld joint between at least two substrates, determining mismatch between the at least two substrates, and welding the at least two substrates together with a multi-step welding process. The multi-step welding process includes compensating for mismatch between the at least two substrates by welding on both sides but not overlapping a joint line between the at least two substrates with a first welding step and increasing melt volume and penetration depth of a weld between the at least two substrates with a second welding step.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle may include a plurality of vehicle subsystems associated with respective different dynamic vehicle control functions and a plurality of subsystem controllers associated with respective ones of the vehicle subsystems. The subsystem controllers may be configured to control actuators associated with the respective different dynamic vehicle control functions to change an operational state of components of the vehicle subsystems based on respective configuration settings. The system further includes an attribute configuration module operably coupled to the subsystem controllers. The attribute configuration module may include processing circuitry configured to save current configuration settings as a saved configuration responsive to a first actuation of a configuration mode actuator and, after an on/off cycle of the vehicle, instruct the subsystem controllers to implement the saved configuration responsive to a second actuation of the configuration mode actuator.

Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery module, a second battery module, and a thermoresistant spacer disposed between the first battery module and the second battery module. The thermoresistant spacer may be a thermoresistant urethane foam or a silicon pad and may include thermoresistant additives, which may include at least one of melamine resin powder, aerogel particles, and milled oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers. A flame retardant material may be disposed over at least a surface of the thermoresistant spacer.

Abstract: A system includes a first computer and a second computer. The first computer is programmed to receive a request from the second computer to move a vehicle from a first location to a second location and synchronize a timer stored in each of the computers. The first computer determines a route including waypoints from the first location to the second location and determines predicted travel times for legs of the route. The predicted travel times include a first predicted travel time for a first leg defined from the first location to a first waypoint included in the waypoints and the first computer transmits the route and the travel times to the second computer. The second computer is programmed to determine an elapsed time of travel and predict a location of the vehicle based on the elapsed time of travel and the first predicted travel time.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rocker elongated along a vehicle longitudinal axis. A first slider is supported by the rocker. A second slider is supported by the rocker and is spaced from the first slider along the longitudinal axis. A first actuator is configured to slide the first slider relative to the rocker along a lateral axis. A second actuator is configured to slide the second slider relative to the rocker along the lateral axis. A cable extends from the first slider to the second slider.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bulkhead elongated along an axis. The vehicle includes a base supported by the bulkhead and inflatable from a stowed position away from the bulkhead to a deployed position. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the base and inflatable away from the bulkhead and the base to an inflated position, the airbag in the inflated position having a main portion and extensions extending away from the main portion along a vehicle-longitudinal axis, the extensions being spaced from each other along the axis.