Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a cargo bed having a first and a second sidewall. A rail assembly is disposed on the first sidewall. The rail assembly is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first sidewall. An actuator system raises and lowers the rail assembly to move the rail assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: This document discloses methods of training a classifier to identify traffic signal states in images captured be a vehicle. The vehicle can then use the identified states when making movement decisions when traveling in an environment. The system determines that a traffic signal is within a field of view of the camera (i.e., within an image). The system also receives a signal with signal phase and timing data for the traffic signal. The system processes the images to identify an image that includes the traffic signal. The system analyzes the signal data to determine a state of the traffic signal at the time of image capture, labels the image with a label of determined state, and passes the image and a label to a classifier in order to train the classifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for learning characteristics of a road segment and using the learning during a subsequent travel on the road segment to preview the road segment and schedule diagnostic routines to increase in-use monitor performance (IUMP) rates for vehicle system diagnostics. In one example, a method may include scheduling a diagnostic routine for an engine sub-system based on the learned characteristics of the road segment, and a variable adjustable based on IUMP rate.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a dashboard located in the cabin interior, and a desk supported on the dashboard and movable between a stowed position on the dashboard and a deployed position extending outward from the dashboard, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having arms configured to engage a track to bend around at least a portion of the dashboard, and wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powered door having an actuator to move the door between open and closed positions, a transceiver configured to communicate with one or more mobile devices, and an imaging device oriented to capture images in a region proximate to the powered door. A controller processes the captured images and controls the actuator to move the door to the open position when a mobile device is detected proximate the vehicle and a user is detected in the captured images located in a door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a face of a user is recognized as an authorized user located in the door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a gait of the user is detected and identifies the gait are indicative of an authorized user located in the door detection zone.

Abstract: A method for detecting the tendency of a passenger of a vehicle to get motion sickness by using a rod and frame test is disclosed. An image designed to carry out a rod and frame test is displayed in the vehicle. The rod and the frame each enclose an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with a horizontal spatial axis and/or a vertical spatial axis. A request is issued to correct the rod into a vertical or horizontal position by means of an input device. An input carried out by the passenger to correct the rod is recorded. The rod and frame test is evaluated by an evaluation device based on the recorded input of the passenger, and at least one measure is issued to prevent and/or combat the occurrence of motion sickness, depending on the result of the evaluation.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to an engine start, close the clutch to transfer power from the electric machine to the engine to start the engine. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control a torque capacity of the clutch during the engine start according to a model of a pressure applied to the clutch. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine start, control the torque of the electric machine based on an adjusted torque capacity of the clutch.

Abstract: An incremental forming machine and a process are disclosed that comprise selecting a blank and selecting a stylus tool that has a tip at one end. The stylus tool may be heated to a desired temperature before contacting the blank with the stylus tool to change a characteristic of the blank or part. The stylus tool apparatus may include a tip on an end of a shaft and a resistance heating element disposed inside the tip. Alternatively, the stylus tool apparatus may include an induction heating coil disposed around the tip. The tip of the stylus tool may have a rotatable ball that engages the blank or part.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of fasteners includes extruding a continuous strip of material, the continuous strip defining a base portion, a tip portion, and a stem portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. A portion of material is removed from the continuous strip of material along the tip portion such that a plurality of tip portions are separated from each other and spaced apart, each tip portion having at least one flexible tab. The continuous strip of material is then extruded through a foaming die, wherein the flexible tabs are elastically displaced away from the base portion during a foaming process such that a foam material fills a cavity of the foaming die to form a sealing element around the stem portion. Portions of the continuous strip between each of the tip portions are separated to produce a plurality of individual sealed fasteners.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a climate controlled front trunk. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a climate control system; and a front trunk establishing a cargo space, wherein the front trunk is configured to receive thermally conditioned air from the climate control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a film-covered component, having at least one assembly nest with at least one component section, on which a component to be covered can be arranged includes operating a film severing device. The film severing device is arranged on the assembly nest and has a severing element. The film severing device surrounds the component section at least partially laterally at a distance.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) system includes an AV control system that resolves unique situations encountered while operating as a ride hail provider. The AV control system includes an artificial intelligence (AI) agent programmed to receive a situation data set as an input from vehicle sensors or from another AI agent. The situation data set can include a generic representation of information describing and characterizing the circumstances and details of the current situation. The system may access a knowledge library having catalogued prior situation data sets describing situations encountered by the AV or other vehicles in a fleet. The AV control system may search the knowledge library for similar situations encountered by a fleet vehicle. Once a similar situation is identified, the AV control system may identify one or more remedies that were executed to handle the prior situation, and execute the remedy to address the current situation.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.

Abstract: An item repositioning method includes, in response to a request for an item, moving a vehicle along a first route to a location of the item, loading the item in the vehicle using a lift assist device mounted to the vehicle, moving the vehicle along a second route to transport the item to a desired location, and at the desired location, unloading the item from the vehicle using the lift assist device.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for identifying a location of an occupant in a vehicle. In an example method, a processor deconvolves a vocal utterance by an occupant of a vehicle and also determines an angle of arrival of the vocal utterance. The location of the occupant in the vehicle is then identified by the processor based on evaluating the deconvolved vocal utterance and the angle of arrival of the vocal utterance. Deconvolving the vocal utterance can involve applying a cabin impulse response to the vocal utterance for eliminating undesirable effects that may be imposed upon the vocal utterance by acoustic characteristics of the cabin of the vehicle (echo, sound reflections, sound damping, reverberation etc.). In some applications, the processor may refer to a lookup table to estimate a location of the occupant in the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting an optimal use level of a driver assist system are provided. The system may collect historical driver behavior and road condition data, and train an optimization prediction model using the historical data, e.g., via machine learning or artificial intelligence. Moreover, the system may collect real-time driver behavior and road condition data, and predict an optimal use level of the driver assist system based on the real-time data using the trained optimization prediction model. The system may then send feedback to the driver assist system when the optimal use level falls outside a predetermined threshold, such that the driver assist system may be unavailable or have reduced functionality until the optimal use level improves.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures of the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly includes a body that defines a cup-receiving cavity and an aperture that extends through a side wall of the body, a first bracing feature and a second bracing feature, each of which is coupled to the body and positioned outside of the cup-receiving cavity, and a retention finger. The retention finger includes a first portion that extends into the cup-receiving cavity through the aperture, a first engagement feature coupled to the first portion and pivotably engaged with the first bracing feature, and a second engagement feature coupled to the first portion and engaged with the second bracing feature. The retention finger is operable to move via pivotal movement of the first engagement feature relative to the first bracing feature.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle for autonomously delivering a plurality of packages is described. The delivery vehicle includes a set of rails and a cargo management unit slidably engaged with the set of rails. The cargo management unit is configured to engage with a package and move the package inside the delivery vehicle. The cargo management unit includes a gripping member that includes a lower claw and an upper claw. The lower claw and the upper claw are attached with each other via a pair of first line screws, and are configured to move along the pair of first line screws to secure the package. The cargo management unit further includes a second line screw configured to engage the gripping member with a first rail, and is configured to rotate the gripping member along a second line screw axis and move the gripping member vertically along the second line screw.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, and an auxiliary panel. The closure panel is movably coupled to the body. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position such that the closure panel selectively covers the access aperture. The auxiliary panel is removably coupled to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state relative to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel travels with the closure panel when the auxiliary panel is in the engaged state. The disengaged state of the auxiliary panel corresponds with a use position of the auxiliary panel.

Abstract: A sensor-cleaning system includes a sensor of a vehicle, an electrode, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electrode. The sensor includes a lens. The electrode is positioned to draw dust from the lens when the electrode is energized. The computer is programmed to energize the electrode in response to the vehicle moving and deenergize the electrode in response to the vehicle being stationary.

Abstract: A computer, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to acquire a first image by illuminating a first object with a first light beam, segment the first image of the first object to determine regions that correspond to a first surface material and determine a first measure of pixel values in regions of the first image that correspond to the first surface material. The instructions include further instructions to perform a comparison of the first measure of pixel values to a second measure of pixel values determined from a second image of a second object, wherein the second image is previously acquired by illuminating the second object with a second light beam and when the comparison determines that the first measure is equal to the second measure of pixel values within a tolerance, determine that the first object and the second object are a same object.

Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory can determine a final trajectory for a vehicle by determining a candidate trajectory of a first object based on a detected second object. The candidate trajectory can be input to a reachable polyhedral marching processor to determine dynamic occupancy polyhedrals based on a shape of the candidate trajectory. A reachable tube can be determined based on combining the dynamic occupancy polyhedrals and the final trajectory can be determined based on the reachable tube avoiding the detected second object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for cleaning one or more sensors of a self-driving system (SDS). For example, the SDS is provided with a sensor with a lens that is formed with a convex outer surface. A nozzle is formed with an opening to provide a liquid in a stream at a fan angle relative to a spray axis. The nozzle is spaced apart from the sensor at a distance based on a radius of the lens and the fan angle and configured to spray the liquid with laminar flow onto a proximal end of the lens such that the liquid flows across the lens from the proximal end to a distal end of the lens to remove debris.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive image data from a sensor; generate a feature pyramid from the image data, the feature pyramid including a plurality of features; apply a plurality of preliminary bounding boxes to the features to generate a plurality of preliminarily bounded features, each preliminarily bounded feature being a pairing of one of the preliminary bounding boxes and one of the features; execute a machine-learning program on the preliminarily bounded features to determine a plurality of classifications and a respective plurality of predicted bounding boxes; and actuate a component of a machine, e.g., a vehicle, based on the classifications and the predicted bounding boxes. The machine-learning program is a two-stage object detector having a first stage and a second stage. The first stage selects a subset of the preliminarily bounded features to pass to the second stage.

Abstract: A system for applying material to a substrate includes a nozzle, robot, actuator, sensor, and controller. The robot provides primary movement such that the nozzle traverses a predefined global bead path across and spaced apart from the substrate. The actuator provides secondary relative movement between the nozzle and substrate. The sensor senses a first location on the substrate that is spaced apart from a location where the nozzle deposits material by a distance based on a sensor response time and relative speed of the nozzle and substrate. The controller detects a feature of the substrate based on the data received from the sensor. The controller directs the actuator to provide the secondary relative movement such that a bead of material is applied to the substrate along a feature-relative bead path. The controller controls the actuator to provide the secondary relative movement based on the response time and the relative speed.

Abstract: A table assembly for a vehicle includes a first mounting bracket attachable on a first fixed vehicle component and a table body. The table body has a plurality of rigid segments joined together by a corresponding plurality of flexible joints. A first one of the flexible joints extends in a first direction and at least another of the flexible joints extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The table body is configured to be removably coupled with the first mounting bracket such that the first mounting bracket supports the table body in a generally horizontal position with the table body in a first configuration folded along the first flexible joint such that the at least another of the flexible joints is positioned to extend along one of the plurality of rigid segments.

Abstract: An armrest center console for a vehicle includes a housing defining a storage bin, a track assembly having a first and second tracks provided on opposite sides of the housing, and an armrest cover assembly supported on the housing and having a deployable table. The armrest center console also includes a linkage assembly coupling the armrest cover assembly to the first and second tracks, wherein the armrest cover assembly is configured to slide forward on the first and second rail and to rotate upward via the linkage assembly to deploy the deployable table.

Abstract: This relates to a vehicle including a rear closure assembly having a liftgate and a tailgate. The liftgate and the tailgate are moveable by a common actuator. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a liftgate moveable between a liftgate closed position and a liftgate open position to selectively cover and uncover a first portion of a rear opening in a body of the vehicle, a tailgate moveable between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position to selectively cover and uncover a second portion of the rear opening, and an actuator mechanically coupled to both the liftgate and the tailgate. The actuator is configured to move the liftgate between the liftgate closed position and the liftgate open position, and the actuator is configured to move the tailgate between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a closure providing increased headroom and shade. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; and a closure assembly configured to move between a closed position and an open position to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, wherein the closure assembly includes a hood section and a grille section, wherein, when the closure assembly is not in the closed position, the grille section is rotatable relative to the hood section in a direction away from a ground surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for random vehicle movement to prevent theft are disclosed. The vehicle system may automatically reposition to make it seem like the user is home and to reduce battery drain and flat spots on the tire. The system may randomize the start time based on the preferences of the user. At the randomly decided time, the vehicle may start up on its own and reposition itself. In addition, the system may learn a driving behavior pattern of the vehicle via machine learning based on driving behavior associated with the vehicle, such that the vehicle may perform vehicle movement based on the learned driving behavior pattern.

Abstract: A method for operating a parking assistance function of a motor vehicle is described, wherein the motor vehicle comprises at least one sensor for detecting the road surrounding the motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: Finding and specifying a free parking space; Determining a trajectory for parking the motor vehicle in the parking space and a sequence of an at least partially automated parking process; Determining at least one outer boundary line of the road surface required for parking along the identified trajectory; Detecting at least one road user approaching the determined outer boundary line on the road by means of at least one sensor; Determining the distance of the road user approaching the determined outer boundary line from the outer boundary line; if the determined distance falls below a specified first threshold, outputting a warning signal to the approaching road user.

Abstract: A two-dimensional image of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle is collected. The collected two-dimensional image is input to a machine learning program trained to output one or more reference points of the vehicle occupant, each reference point being a landmark of the vehicle occupant. One or more reference points of the vehicle occupant in the two-dimensional image is output from the machine learning program. A location of the vehicle occupant in an interior of the vehicle is determined based on the one or more reference points. A vehicle component is actuated based on the determined location. For each of the one or more reference points, a similarity measure is determined between the reference point and a three-dimensional reference point, the similarity measure based on a distance between the reference point and the three-dimensional reference point.

Abstract: A lighting system may include a lamp assembly including a lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections each include a material having variable light transmissivity in response to an applied voltage, and wherein the light transmissivity of the first section is adjustable independent of the light transmissivity of the second section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine that is coupled to a power split transmission are described. In one example, the internal combustion engine is operated in a speed control mode or a torque control mode in response to a braking torque and a transmission shift command. Operating the engine in the torque control mode may allow the engine to charge a battery while a neutral transmission state is selected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for addressing an error in a localization system that includes monitoring a plurality of sensors of a driver assistance system in real-time, with each sensor generating a data stream. The method further includes identifying a sensor having an anomalous data stream and calculating a primary localization and a backup localization. The primary localization calculation includes the anomalous data stream and the backup localization calculation does not include the anomalous data stream. Further, the method includes executing an action when the backup localization error estimate exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a first controller including a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive first acceleration data from an accelerometer; upon determining that the first acceleration data satisfies a first criterion, transmit a wake-up instruction to a second controller; upon determining that the first acceleration data fails to satisfy the first criterion, instruct the accelerometer to send second acceleration data; and upon determining that the second acceleration data satisfies a second criterion, transmit the wake-up instruction to the second controller. The first criterion includes jerk exceeding a jerk threshold.