Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernability of the audio content at an external location accessible to passersby where the audio content can be overheard, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes determines that vehicle computing resources will not be fully utilized during an upcoming time period and that exhaustible vehicle power reserves will not be exhausted beyond a threshold based on use of the reserves to power computing using unused computing resources during at least a portion of the time period, those resources suitable for cryptocurrency mining based at least on resource computing capability and a predicted availability of a given resource during the upcoming time period. The vehicle additionally determines a cryptocurrency to mine based on present value of the at least one cryptocurrency producing a positive yield relative to an expense of power used to mine the cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resources determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining and automatically mines the at least one cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resource determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining during the upcoming time period.

Abstract: A vehicle analyzes buffered content, buffered by the vehicle, to determine if any content includes one or more predefined characteristics designated to trigger an offer to re-route the vehicle to review the content including the one or more predefined characteristics. The vehicle, responsive to at least one item of the buffered content including the one or more predefined characteristics, for at least one item of the content including the one or more predefined characteristics, determines if an alternative route exists. The alternative route may have at least one of at least one characteristic projected to permit autonomous driving for a duration, or at least having sufficient projected delays associated therewith of the duration, the duration being a duration sufficient to review the content based on a projected review time of the content. The vehicle, responsive to determining the alternative route exists, presents the route to a vehicle driver for acceptance.

Abstract: Terrain characteristics of an off-road area are determined based on a map. The terrain characteristics include a terrain type, a terrain grade, and a presence or an absence of an obstacle. Vehicle characteristics are determined including a ground clearance and a breakover angle. Based on a user level, vehicle parameters for the off-road area are determined based on the terrain characteristics, the vehicle characteristics, and the user input. The vehicle parameters include a speed and a transmission gear. The vehicle parameters for the off-road area are output.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an electric machine, a power converter that powers the electric machine and includes a switch having an adjustable gate drive resistance, a source of audio, and a controller that varies the gate drive resistance according to a received signal strength associated with the source of audio.

Abstract: A system examines a current route to determine if one or more instances of off-road travel exist providing an alternative path for reaching a route destination. The system determines that characteristics of a vehicle meet parameters associated with at least one of the instances of off-road travel. Also, the system, responsive to the determining that the characteristics meet the parameters, provides a driver with indication of an alternative route across the instance of off-road travel, including any payment necessary to use the instance of off-road travel. The system, responsive to driver selection of the instance of off-road travel, negotiates payment for usage of the instance of off-road travel and, responsive to negotiating payment, changes the current route to include the instance of off-road travel. The system also provides digital permissions for the vehicle to travel on the instance of off-road travel.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to determine that a vehicle is attempting to enter an area designated for off-road travel. The processors are also configured to access use-restrictions stored in a database and associated with the area, the use-restrictions defining at least one vehicle constraint required for the vehicle to travel over one or more locations that are part of the area, the use restrictions defining at least one of vehicle control limiting or vehicle weight maximums. The processors are further configured to determine whether the vehicle meets the use-restrictions based on an assessment of vehicle characteristics compared to the use-restrictions and responsive to determining that the vehicle meets the restrictions, providing the vehicle with a digital access pass to the area.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, an exhaust system, an adjustable valve, a sensor, and a controller. The engine is configured to propel a vehicle. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel. The exhaust system is configured to route exhaust away from the engine. The exhaust system has a catalyst and an outlet. The adjustable valve is disposed within the exhaust system proximate to the outlet. The sensor is configured to observe human gestures. The controller is programmed to receive signals from the sensor indicative of the human gestures while the transmission is in a parked gear. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the sensor observing a first human gesture, increase an operating speed of the engine or adjust the valve to increase a noise output from the outlet of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller programmed to responsive to receiving a destination, plan a plurality of routes to the destination, obtain visibility condition data for at least a part of each of the routes, anticipate an activation of a driving assistance feature in a section of at least one of the routes using the visibility condition data, and responsive to arriving at the section, activate the driving assistance feature while the vehicle is being manually driven by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one drive wheel, a powerplant, a clutch, and a controller. The powerplant is configured to generate and deliver power to the at least one drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the at least one drive wheel and the powerplant. The controller is programmed to, in response to detecting the at least one drive wheel disengaging the ground during a vehicle jump, open the clutch to disconnect the at least one drive wheel from the powerplant.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle having an electrically powered trailer towed thereto. The vehicle has a vehicle powertrain, and the trailer has a trailer powertrain. A controller, in order to propel the vehicle with the trailer towed thereto, operates the vehicle powertrain and the trailer powertrain according to a combined efficiency map based on (i) an efficiency map associated with the vehicle powertrain and (ii) an efficiency map associated with the trailer powertrain.

Abstract: A system receives confirmation that a vehicle has accepted automatic control imposition for a drive within a geo-fenced boundary. The system tracks travel of a plurality of vehicles, including the vehicle, within the geo-fenced boundary. The system may determine that the vehicle has a threshold likelihood of encountering at least one of another vehicle or a boundary of the geo-fence at a threshold speed or above and responsive to the determination, impose automatic control on the vehicle, including at least one of controlled braking or speed limiting.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle and detect a pedestrian. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernability of the audio content at an external location corresponding to the detected pedestrian, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle and detect a pedestrian. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernibility of the audio content at an external location corresponding to the detected pedestrian, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: An interactive remote start function is provided. A remote start request selected from a human machine interface (HMI) of an access application of a mobile device is received to a vehicle. Responsive to an estimated energy consumption of the vehicle exceeding available energy of the vehicle, a plurality of corrective actions are sent to the mobile device to be displayed in the HMI. A selection of one of the plurality of corrective actions is received from the mobile device. The one of the plurality of corrective actions is implemented to mitigate the estimated energy consumption of the vehicle exceeding the available energy of the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive data indicating a lane change by a first vehicle that is towing a second vehicle, the data including data indicating a direction that first wheels of the first vehicle are turning while the first vehicle is performing the lane change; and during the lane change, instruct a steering system of the second vehicle to turn second wheels of the second vehicle in a same direction as the first wheels.

Abstract: A plurality of light sources are mounted in a vehicular passenger cabin. Each light source illuminates a respective illumination zone with a midpoint. Each light source is configured to illuminate at a plurality of brightness levels up to a full brightness. A gaze tracker monitors an occupant cabin to detect a gaze point. A controller responds to an illumination request from the occupant to actuate at least two light sources to illuminate the passenger cabin at the gaze point. The controller uses the gaze point to select a respective brightness level for each light source based on a proximity of the gaze point to respective midpoints of the illumination zones. At least a first one of the actuated light sources with a midpoint closer to the gaze point provides a higher brightness level than a second one of the actuated light sources with a midpoint farther from the gaze point.

Abstract: An engine includes an intake manifold and an air-induction system configured to deliver air to the intake manifold. The air-induction system includes a throttle attached to the intake manifold, an air cleaner, conduit connecting between the air cleaner and the throttle to create a flow path therebetween, and a valve disposed in the flow path to be upstream of the throttle and downstream the air cleaner. The valve has a closed position in which the flow path is blocked to hold hydrocarbons within the intake manifold and inhibit emission therefrom and has an open position in which the flow path is unimpeded.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle operates in a Follow Mode, wherein an apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle includes an exterior monitoring system comprising at least one sensor to monitor an exterior region and to detect a location of a target user. A controller is configured to A) interactively map an activity zone having a selected expanse in the exterior region relative to the vehicle, B) compare a monitored location of the target user to the activity zone, C) detect a relocation event when the comparison of the monitored location of the target user to the activity zone exceeds a predetermined deviation, and D) send a navigation command in response to detecting the relocation event in order to autonomously reposition the vehicle so that a relative location of the target user is restored to the activity zone.

Abstract: Controlling maximum appliable positive and negative torque for a vehicle is provided. Vehicle data indictive of a driver torque request is received. Maximum appliable positive and negative torques for the vehicle are estimated. Responsive to the driver torque request being positive, the driver torque request is limited to the maximum appliable positive torque. Responsive to the driver torque request being negative, the driver torque request is limited to the maximum appliable negative torque.