Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a plurality of wireless nodes, occupant detection sensors, and a body control module. The body control module determines an initial exit location relative to the vehicle of a mobile device based on signal received from the wireless nodes and the occupant detection sensors. The body control module also tracks a location of the mobile device based on the initial exit location using dead reckoning and enables remote parking assist when the location is within a threshold distance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for interfaces for remote trailer maneuver-assist. An example trailer maneuver-assist system includes a mobile device including a touchscreen to present an interface. The interface includes an icon for receiving a direction-of-travel and a track for receiving a continuous motion input. The example trailer maneuver-assist system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes a communication module for wireless communication with the mobile device and a local control unit that performs motive functions in the direction-of-travel while the mobile device receives the continuous motion input via the touchscreen.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle. The system further comprises a plurality of sensor devices comprising an ultrasonic sensor and an image sensor. A controller is configured to process image data from the image sensor identifying a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to process ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor identifying a proximity of the trailer. Based on the proximity of the trailer, the system is configured to identify the trailer in a detection range of the image sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch assembly mounted on a vehicle, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to access a saved configuration for the hitch assembly and display the saved configuration on the display. The controller is further configured to receive a selection of the saved configuration and program a characteristic of the hitch assembly based on the selection.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for vehicle systems based on variable time-of-flight and dead reckoning. An example vehicle includes a communication module to communicate with a mobile device using multiple frequency bands and a body control module. The body control module at an interval, estimates a location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle based on time-of-flight measurements using one of the multiple frequency bands selected based on a previous location estimate. Between the intervals, the body control module tracks the location of the mobile device using dead reckoning. Additionally, the body control system controls a subsystem of the vehicle based on the location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate remote-controlled maneuvers. An example vehicle comprises: wheels, a transceiver, and a processor and memory. The processor is in communication with a remote device via the transceiver and is configured to: determine whether first and second buttons of the remote device are pressed based on signals from the remote device, if the first and second buttons are released, stop rotation of the wheels, and communicate a message regarding the released first and second buttons to the remote device.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a continuous rotary input on a touchscreen of a portable device in communication with a vehicle, determining a steering angle and a steering direction based on a radius and a rotational direction of the continuous rotary input, and actuating a steering component of the vehicle based on the steering angle and the steering direction.

Abstract: A memory stores call records to a plurality of contacts. A processor is programmed to determine probabilities of calling contacts according to current contextual information and call inferences determined from clusters of a context-encoded model created from the call records, each cluster corresponding to a unique combination of ranges of values of the contextual information; and identify the most likely next contact to call as the one of the plurality of contacts having a highest of the probabilities.

Abstract: A method includes, while detecting a continuous motion input in a first region of a touchscreen of a portable device in communication with a vehicle, detecting a steering input from a second region of the touchscreen, and actuating a steering component of the vehicle based on the steering input.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for traction control based on friction coefficient estimation. An example vehicle includes a plurality of sensors to measure qualities of a surface of a road and an anti-lock brake system module. The anti-lock brake system module (a) estimates confidence values for different road surface types based on the qualities of the surface of the road, (b) estimates a coefficient of friction between the road and tires of the vehicle based on the confidence values, and (c) adapt a traction control system by altering a target slip based on the coefficient of friction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.

Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a controller receiving a driver control signal and outputting a vehicle backing steering command based on the control signal and limited by one of a first angle limit corresponding with a calculated maximum controllable angle and a second angle limit at a maneuverability threshold below the maximum controllable angle. The system further includes an interface outputting an indication of the one of the first and second angle limits.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes first and second wireless modules and a processor. The processor calculates trajectories of the vehicle and a mobile device and estimates a location of the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance of the vehicle, the processor polls a key fob at an interval based on a comparison of the trajectories and estimate a location of the key fob. When the key fob is within the threshold distance, the processor enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for traction control based on friction coefficient estimation. An example vehicle includes a plurality of sensors to measure qualities of a surface of a road and an anti-lock brake system module. The anti-lock brake system module (a) estimates confidence values for different road surface types based on the qualities of the surface of the road, (b) estimates a coefficient of friction between the road and tires of the vehicle based on the confidence values, and (c) adapt a traction control system by altering a target slip based on the coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle and trailer combination includes a steering system, a camera generating an image of the trailer, and a controller. The controller receives the image and identifying a wheel therein, determines a trailer hitch angle using at least one of an aspect ratio or location of the wheel in the image, and implements a trailer backup mode including using the estimated hitch angle in view of a kinematic model of the vehicle and trailer combination to control the steering system in reversing the trailer along a user-selected path.

Abstract: A steering input device for a trailer backup assist system includes a control element moveable away from a center position sequentially through a first sub-range and a second sub-range and defining a first stop between the first sub-range and the second sub-range, movement past the first stop being permitted upon a first predetermined movement of the control element. The steering input device further includes a controller generating a vehicle steering command based on a position of the control element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle remote park-assist communication counters. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to implement a counter into remote parking communication between the communication module and a mobile device and, when the counter exceeds a threshold, monitor for a reset vehicle event and a reset mobile event. The controller also is to reset the counter responsive to detecting at least one of the reset vehicle event and the reset mobile event.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fob utilization for vehicle remote park-assist. An example vehicle system for remote park-assist (RePA) includes a key fob. The key fob includes a low frequency (LF) antenna to receive a beacon and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna to transmit a return signal including a distance indicator and a RePA signal. The example vehicle system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes an LF module to transmit the beacon at a predefined interval, a receiver-transceiver module to receive the return signal and the RePA signal, a controller to enable RePA responsive to determining that the distance indicator is less than a tethering threshold distance, and an autonomy unit to perform RePA based on the RePA signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for initiation of vehicle remote park-assist with key fob. An example vehicle includes a cabin, a human-machine interface (HMI) unit located in the cabin, and a receiver-transceiver module. The receiver-transceiver module is configured to receive a return signal including a distance indicator from a key fob and a remote park-assist (RePA) signal. The example vehicle also includes an autonomy unit configured to perform RePA based on the RePA signal. The example vehicle also includes a controller configured to receive, via the HMI unit, selections to activate RePA and utilize the key fob for transmitting the RePA signal and determine, based on the distance indicator, whether the key fob is in the cabin. The controller also is configured to, responsive to determining that the key fob is in the cabin, prevent the autonomy unit from performing RePA.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist. An example key fob for a vehicle includes buttons including a lock button, an unlock button, and a trigger button. The example key fob also includes an antenna and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a lock signal responsive to detecting the lock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, an unlock signal responsive to detecting the unlock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote-start signal responsive to detecting a remote-start combination of the buttons is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote park-assist (RePA) signal to initiate RePA of the vehicle responsive to detecting a RePA combination of the buttons is pressed.