Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ride quality of an active payload support system. In one example, a seat system for a vehicle includes a seat, a support structure including an actuator configured to rotate the seat about an axis of a pivot, a first sensor positioned to detect movement of the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a first input from the first sensor, determine a cornering lateral acceleration of the vehicle in a direction perpendicular to an axis parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle around a turn, the cornering lateral acceleration determined based at least on the first input, generate a command signal based at least on the cornering lateral acceleration to instruct an actuator to rotate the seat about the axis of the pivot in a direction of the turn, and provide a force command to the actuator to move the seat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of providing location-based information with respect to a topological map. A method may include (a) receiving a query for location-related information, (b) optionally generating data representing the topological map, (c) accessing the location-related information in a map-to-scale, (d) optionally determining an association between one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale and one or more corresponding points (or links) in a topological map, (e) identifying one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale that relate to the location-related information and that correspond to one or more points (or links) in the topological map, (f) optionally determining a relative position of the location-related information with respect to the identified one or more map-to-scale points (or links), and (g) displaying the location-related information with respect to the corresponding one or more points (or links) in the topological map.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle comprising, during a first condition comprising when an active grille shutter (AGS) position change over a second interval is less than a threshold position change: stalling an AGS motor for a first interval; calculating a fuel economy change over the first interval; and determining a degradation of an AGS sensor based on the fuel economy change being greater than a threshold fuel economy change over the first interval. In this way, various degradation modes of the AGS including faulty AGS position sensors and a mechanical AGS degradation can be differentiated. Furthermore, in the event of an AGS position sensor degradation, the AGS position can be inferred so that operation of the AGS and the fuel consumption reduction advantages conferred therefrom can be preserved.

Abstract: Monitoring the propulsion system of an aircraft includes selecting elements representative of operation of the propulsion system, modeling the propulsion system by a model including the selected elements, a set of exogenic parameters of the propulsion system and interdependence relations between the elements, operation of a given element being modelled by at least one endogenic parameter dependent on at least one of the exogenic parameters and/or on at least one parameter of another element, and analyzing elements, the analysis of the given element including the expression of the at least one endogenic parameter of the given element as a function only of exogenic parameters of the propulsion system and being made by layers of different levels, a layer of a given level being capable of taking account of at least one parameter that is the result of a layer of a different analysis level of another element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls self-driving vehicles (SDVs). An emergency message is transmitted to a receiver within a self-driving vehicle (SDV). The emergency message describes an emergency state of an emergency vehicle and an identified future route of the emergency vehicle. In response to the SDV receiving the emergency message, the SDV is redirected, via an auto-control hardware system on the SDV, to a location and on a route that does not conflict with the identified future route of the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling engine start for a hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a data detector that is configured to detect data for controlling start of an engine. Additionally, a controller is configured to calculate a demand power of a driver based on the data and start the engine when the demand power of the driver is greater than an engine-on power line which is a reference for starting the engine.

Abstract: A Dynamic Motion Element (DME) is disclosed that includes a platform, and a pair of foot movement mechanisms. The foot movement mechanisms each include a drive pulley connected to at least one wheel of the DME, a second pulley and a foot drive belt that has a foot connection structure constructed to detachably connect to the foot of the mannequin. The foot connection structure is constructed to move about each pulley. The first and second foot movement mechanisms are constructed such that when the DME moves in a longitudinal direction relative to the ground, the foot connection structure of the first foot movement mechanism remains in substantially the same longitudinal position relative to the ground while the foot connection structure of the second foot movement mechanism moves in the same longitudinal direction as the DME. When a mannequin is connected to the foot connection structures, the DME produces a more natural looking gait.

Abstract: A self-propelled device is disclosed that includes a center of mass drive system. The self-propelled device includes a substantially cylindrical body and wheels, with each wheel having a diameter substantially equivalent to the body. The self-propelled device may further include an internal drive system with a center of mass below a rotational axis of the wheels. Operation and maneuvering of the self-propelled device may be performed via active displacement of the center of mass.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for enhancing the visibility of a driver of a vehicle. The control system may include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight placed on a passenger seat and at least one motor configured to adjust a position of the passenger seat. The control system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and the at least one motor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, determine that the passenger seat is unoccupied based on the signal, and automatically generate a command signal directed to the at least one motor to adjust the passenger seat to a prospective position.

Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a stationary device for communication on the basis of an ad-hoc interacting motor vehicle communication system, particularly of the wireless variety.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and a method for self-control driving thereof are provided. The method includes: adjusting, by a controller, steering based on lane information and sensing a driving situation of the vehicle based on the steering adjustment. In addition, the controller is configured to determine an intervention in an attitude control based on the driving situation and in response to determining the intervention, operate a braking system to adjust the attitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include control circuitry configured to execute stored instructions to direct operation of the robotic vehicle on a defined area, and an electrical resistance sensor in communication with the control circuitry. The electrical resistance sensor may be configured to detect motion indicative of a lift event and a collision event using a single sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to determining one or more mapping characteristics of a map based on a current context of a user. A current context of a user may be identified and one or more mapping characteristics determined based on the current context. A map that is responsive to a mapping request of the user may be tailored to include the determined mapping characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing vehicle ECU reprograming, so the ECU programming, which plays a large role in vehicle performance characteristics, is tailored to current operational requirements, which may be different than the operational characteristics selected by the manufacturer when initially programming the vehicle ECU (or ECUs) with specific instruction sets, such as fuel maps. In one embodiment, a controller monitors the current operational characteristics of the vehicle, determines the current ECU programming, and determines if a different programming set would better suited to the current operating conditions. In the event that the current programming set should be replaced, the controller implements the ECU reprogramming. In a related embodiment, users are enabled to specify the ECU programming to change, such as changing speed limiter settings.

Abstract: A flight display system or method in accordance with this disclosure involves the presentation, on an aircraft, of a “quick preview” notice to airmen (“NOTAM”) display that includes a plurality of stacked flight route portion boxes, each of the plurality of flight route portion boxes pertaining to and being labeled as one of: a departure taxiing portion, a standard instrument departure portion, an en route portion, a standard terminal arrival route portion, an approach portion, and an arrival taxiing portion; each of the plurality of flight route portion boxes graphically displaying flight route symbology pertaining to and labeled as each airport taxiing reference point and/or each aeronautical waypoint that falls within its labeled flight route portion; and wherein at least one of the plurality of flight route portion boxes further graphically displays NOTAM symbology pertaining to at least one of the NOTAMs that are relevant to the flight route.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control aircraft horizontal stabilizers are described herein. One described method includes calculating, using a processor, a desired movement of a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft to counteract a pitching moment of the aircraft, and controlling the horizontal stabilizer based on the desired movement.

Abstract: Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to participate in the performance of tasks, for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance, or for facilitating other interactions with such devices.

Abstract: A method for vehicle convergence analysis based on a plurality of sparse location data is provided. The method may include obtaining a plurality of vehicle location data. The method may also include receiving a plurality of input data. The method may further include calculating, for each vehicle a probabilistic street network route based on each sequential piece of timed data and each piece of location data included in the obtained plurality of vehicle data and the received plurality of input data. The method may include identifying a plurality of overlapping routes between two vehicles based on the calculated probabilistic street network route. The method may include displaying the identified plurality of overlapping routes between the two vehicles as a meeting area.

Abstract: A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.