Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves identifying a stationary object outside a current lane of travel based at least in part on sensor data captured onboard the vehicle, determining an estimated location for the stationary object based at least in part on the sensor data and a location of the vehicle and providing the estimated location to a remote system. The remote system updates lane preference information corresponding to the estimated location for the stationary object when the stationary object satisfies one or more avoidance criteria. The method continues by determining a trajectory for a vehicle to change lanes based at least in part on the updated lane preference information and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the trajectory.

Abstract: An active heads up display system includes a driver monitoring system, a gateway circuit, and a heads up display. The driver monitoring system tracks a gaze direction of a user, calculates track values in response to a field of view of the user based on the gaze direction, and transmits the track values on a first bus. The gateway circuit receives the track values from the first bus, translates the track values to command values, and transmits the command values on a second bus. The heads up display receives the command values from the second bus, generates a graphical presentation viewable by the user, projects the graphical presentation at a current position in front of the user, and adjusts the current position to an updated position centered within the field of view of the user in response to the command values.

Abstract: A system for automatedly changing a first road lane of a vehicle to a second road lane to maintain engagement of an automated driving unit. The system comprises an ECU to check a location of the vehicle, defining a map segment of the first and second road lanes. The first road lane is a host lane that the vehicle occupies and the second road lane is an available lane. The ECU detects whether the first road lane has poor availability. The system further comprises a sensor to monitor availability of the first road lane. The system further comprises a backoffice to flag the first road lane if the first road lane is detected to have poor availability, to log the first road lane in an instance counter (IC), and to designate the first road lane as non-preferred if an occurrence threshold of the IC is reached. The system further comprises an automated lane change (ALC) unit to move the vehicle to the second road lane.

Abstract: A system for automatedly changing a first road lane of a vehicle to a second road lane to maintain engagement of an automated driving unit. The system comprises an ECU to check a location of the vehicle, defining a map segment of the first and second road lanes. The first road lane is a host lane that the vehicle occupies and the second road lane is an available lane. The ECU detects whether the first road lane has poor availability. The system further comprises a sensor to monitor availability of the first road lane. The system further comprises a backoffice to flag the first road lane if the first road lane is detected to have poor availability, to log the first road lane in an instance counter (IC), and to designate the first road lane as non-preferred if an occurrence threshold of the IC is reached. The system further comprises an automated lane change (ALC) unit to move the vehicle to the second road lane.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out a remedial action based on monitoring driver attention of a vehicle driver. The method includes: obtaining driver attention sensor data from one or more driver attention sensors that are installed on the vehicle as onboard vehicle sensors; detecting a driver inattention event based on the obtained driver attention sensor data; determining one or more driver inattention metrics based on the obtained driver attention sensor data and in response to the detected driver inattention event; based on at least one of the driver inattention metrics, determining one or more remedial actions to be carried out; and carrying out the one or more remedial actions, wherein, when at least one of the one or more remedial actions is carried out, in-vehicle entertainment that is provided by one or more vehicle-user interfaces of the vehicle is restricted or prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out a remedial action based on monitoring driver attention of a vehicle driver. The method includes: obtaining driver attention sensor data from one or more driver attention sensors that are installed on the vehicle as onboard vehicle sensors; detecting a driver inattention event based on the obtained driver attention sensor data; determining one or more driver inattention metrics based on the obtained driver attention sensor data and in response to the detected driver inattention event; based on at least one of the driver inattention metrics, determining one or more remedial actions to be carried out; and carrying out the one or more remedial actions, wherein, when at least one of the one or more remedial actions is carried out, in-vehicle entertainment that is provided by one or more vehicle-user interfaces of the vehicle is restricted or prevented.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes receiving a report indicating a vehicle is stolen, determining a vehicle location, providing the vehicle location to a law enforcement provider, and generating a slowdown path for the vehicle. The method further includes querying the law enforcement provider for a confirmation of the vehicle location and an identification of the vehicle, querying the law enforcement provider if the slowdown path is safe and when to initiate slowdown, and forwarding the slowdown path to the vehicle. A system for controlling a vehicle includes a service provider and a central processor provided in the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a radar system in a vehicle. In particular, the method and system employs a heating element within or affixed to a portion or proximate to a vehicular radar sensor and where the method and system is operative to determine that a blockage of the vehicular radar sensor has occurred and that an icing condition may exist, and to activate the heating element in response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing instruction for new drivers of a vehicle are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes one or more sensors and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to monitor operation of a vehicle and environment surrounding the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate identifying a condition pertaining to the operation of the vehicle and the surrounding environment; and providing a notification, for a driver of the vehicle, with instructions pertaining to the condition.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an alert to one or more occupants of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an input signal from a vehicle safety system. The input signal is indicative of an alert condition (e.g. an impending collision). The method further includes generating an output signal responsive to said input signal and wirelessly transmitting the output signal to the portable device. The portable device, such as a cellular communications device, has a haptic actuator and is configured to be mechanically disconnected from the vehicle while in physical contact with an occupant of the vehicle. The output signal, which may be transmitted directly to the portable device using short-range wireless communication protocols, is configured to activate the haptic actuator to cause a vibratory movement of the portable device and alert the vehicle occupant to the alert condition.

Abstract: A system and method of retrieving a vehicle includes generating a path from a final destination to a starting position, receiving a command to retrieve the vehicle, and autonomously operating the vehicle along the path from the final vehicle destination to the starting vehicle position.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an alert to one or more occupants of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an input signal from a vehicle safety system. The input signal is indicative of an alert condition (e.g. an impending collision). The method further includes generating an output signal responsive to said input signal and wirelessly transmitting the output signal to the portable device. The portable device, such as a cellular communications device, has a haptic actuator and is configured to be mechanically disconnected from the vehicle while in physical contact with an occupant of the vehicle. The output signal, which may be transmitted directly to the portable device using short-range wireless communication protocols, is configured to activate the haptic actuator to cause a vibratory movement of the portable device and alert the vehicle occupant to the alert condition.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively providing a building door reminder to an operator of a vehicle. The system carries out the method which includes the steps of: detecting that the vehicle is at a door reminder location at which there are one or more building structure doors, wherein the vehicle is configured to selectively provide a door alert to an operator of the vehicle upon departure of the vehicle from the door reminder location; determining that the vehicle has departed from the door reminder location; processing data available at the vehicle and, based on the processing, determining that the door alert is to be provided to the operator. The door alert can be provided to the operator at the vehicle via a vehicle user interface that provides within the vehicle an audible notification, visual notification, and/or tactile notification.

Abstract: A system and method of retrieving a vehicle includes generating a path from a final destination to a starting position, receiving a command to retrieve the vehicle, and autonomously operating the vehicle along the path from the final vehicle destination to the starting vehicle position.

Abstract: Measured engine inlet air temperature and flow parameters are communicated to an engine controller with a single waveform. A variable frequency digital input signal representative of inlet air flow is combined with a variable amplitude analog signal representative of inlet air temperature, and supplied as a single input signal to the engine controller. The controller includes a buffer circuit that re-creates the variable frequency digital signal from the input waveform for application to an input capture circuit that measures the flow-related frequency, and an analog-to-digital converter that is coordinated with the input capture circuit for sampling the temperature-related amplitude.