Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle power system. In some examples, the vehicle power system can include a plurality of redundant low-power buses coupled to respective low-power batteries. The low-power buses can be powered by a vehicle battery having a higher voltage than the voltage of the low-power batteries by way of a DCDC converter, for example. In some examples, the DCDC converter can be coupled to the low-power buses via a plurality of switches included in an Auxiliary Voltage Controller (AVC). The DCDC converter and the AVC can be housed in a common package to reduce the size, weight, and complexity of the power system while also improving the power system's durability.

Abstract: A system that performs a method is disclosed. The system receives information about a map, which includes information about one or more zones in the map. While navigating a vehicle along a driving path within the map, the system receives information about the location of the vehicle in the map. The system estimates an error bounds of the location of the vehicle, and determines in which of the one or more zones in the map the error bounds is located within. In response to the determination: in accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a first zone in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a driving operation. In accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a second zone of the one or more zones in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a different driving operation.

Abstract: A method for autonomously controlling a vehicle is disclosed. In some examples, a vehicle can maneuver out of a parking space in an autonomous and unmanned operation. While parking, the vehicle can capture first one or more images of its surroundings and store the images in a memory included in the vehicle. Upon starting up, the vehicle can capture second one or more images of its surroundings and compare them to the first one or more images to determine if there is an object, person, or animal proximate to the vehicle, for example. In some examples, in accordance with a determination that there is no object, person, or vehicle present that was not present during parking, the vehicle can autonomously move from the parking space with or without a user present in the vehicle.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to an automated vehicle that can function as a vehicle operator training system. A vehicle that combines sensors, actuators, infotainment, and/or communication functions may have the capability to provide a fully autonomous training experience in a real world environment. The vehicle can administer, monitor, and communicate with a vehicle operator for competency training and/or verification for a specific vehicle feature, sub-feature, situation maneuver, and/or objective.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to using vehicle users' subjective evaluation of autonomous vehicle performance to adjust operation of one or more autonomous vehicle systems, such as an adaptive cruise control system. In some examples, a vehicle can perform an autonomous maneuver, and can use automotive sensors to collect data describing one or more quantitative aspects of that vehicle during the maneuver, such as make, model, GPS coordinates, mileage, speed, engine activity, or LIDAR data, among other possibilities. In some examples, a control system can receive subjective feedback inputted by the vehicle's user that indicates one or more qualitative evaluations of the completed autonomous maneuver. In some examples, a control system may perform statistical analysis of collected vehicle data and of subjective feedback input by vehicle users to identify correlations between quantitative vehicle parameters, specified types of user feedback and/or autonomous vehicle maneuvers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle power system. In some examples, the vehicle power system can include a plurality of redundant low-power buses coupled to respective low-power batteries. The low-power buses can be powered by a vehicle battery having a higher voltage than the voltage of the low-power batteries by way of a DCDC converter, for example. In some examples, the DCDC converter can be coupled to the low-power buses via a plurality of switches included in an Auxiliary Voltage Controller (AVC). The DCDC converter and the AVC can be housed in a common package to reduce the size, weight, and complexity of the power system while also improving the power system's durability.

Abstract: A charging station can be autonomously coupled to an electric vehicle. Sensors on the vehicle determine a location of the vehicle, and the vehicle is positioned within a connection envelope. A travel path for bringing a charging connector into contact with a charging port on the vehicle can be determined, and then the travel path is autonomously carried out. A charging station may include a mount, a bracket, and a charging connection.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to using vehicle users' subjective evaluation of autonomous vehicle performance to adjust operation of one or more autonomous vehicle systems, such as an adaptive cruise control system. In some examples, a vehicle can perform an autonomous maneuver, and can use automotive sensors to collect data describing one or more quantitative aspects of that vehicle during the maneuver, such as make, model, GPS coordinates, mileage, speed, engine activity, or LIDAR data, among other possibilities. In some examples, a control system can receive subjective feedback inputted by the vehicle's user that indicates one or more qualitative evaluations of the completed autonomous maneuver. In some examples, a control system may perform statistical analysis of collected vehicle data and of subjective feedback input by vehicle users to identify correlations between quantitative vehicle parameters, specified types of user feedback and/or autonomous vehicle maneuvers.

Abstract: A method for autonomously controlling a vehicle is disclosed. In some examples, a vehicle can maneuver out of a parking space in an autonomous and unmanned operation. While parking, the vehicle can capture first one or more images of its surroundings and store the images in a memory included in the vehicle. Upon starting up, the vehicle can capture second one or more images of its surroundings and compare them to the first one or more images to determine if there is an object, person, or animal proximate to the vehicle, for example. In some examples, in accordance with a determination that there is no object, person, or vehicle present that was not present during parking, the vehicle can autonomously move from the parking space with or without a user present in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system that performs a method is disclosed. The system receives information about a map, which includes information about one or more zones in the map. While navigating a vehicle along a driving path within the map, the system receives information about the location of the vehicle in the map. The system estimates an error bounds of the location of the vehicle, and determines in which of the one or more zones in the map the error bounds is located within. In response to the determination: in accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a first zone in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a driving operation. In accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a second zone of the one or more zones in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a different driving operation.

Abstract: A system that performs a method is disclosed. The system detects one or more characteristics about a vehicle via a first set of one or more sensors and determines one or more characteristics about the vehicle's surroundings via a second set of one or more sensors. The system also detects a vehicle failure via the first set of one or more sensors. In response to detecting the vehicle failure via the first one or more sensors, the system selects one or more road hazard indicators using the one or more characteristics about the vehicle's surroundings. After selecting the one or more road hazard indicators using the one or more characteristics about the vehicle's surroundings, the system deploys the one or more road hazard indicators.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first indicator light associated with a first function or a first state of the vehicle (e.g., a brake light), and circuitry coupled to the first indicator light. The circuitry is configured to cause the first indicator light to emit light when the vehicle is performing the first function or is operating in the first state, and detect an amount of light incident on the first indicator light. Thus, the indicator light can be used to detect incoming light to perform various vehicle functions (e.g., automatically dimming mirrors based on the incoming light) without the need for a dedicated light sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more dimmable mirrors, one or more cameras configured to capture images of surroundings of the vehicle, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more dimmable mirrors and the one or more cameras. The one or more processors are configured to identify one or more headlights of another vehicle in the captured images, determine whether the one or more headlights satisfy mirror dimming criteria, including a criterion that is satisfied when the one or more headlights are located in a respective region of the captured images, in accordance with a determination that the one or more headlights satisfy the mirror dimming criteria, dim the dimmable mirrors based on one or more characteristics of the one or more headlights, and in accordance with a determination that the one or more headlights do not satisfy the mirror dimming criteria, forgo dimming the dimmable mirrors.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first indicator light associated with a first function or a first state of the vehicle (e.g., a brake light), and circuitry coupled to the first indicator light. The circuitry is configured to cause the first indicator light to emit light when the vehicle is performing the first function or is operating in the first state, and detect an amount of light incident on the first indicator light. Thus, the indicator light can be used to detect incoming light to perform various vehicle functions (e.g., automatically dimming mirrors based on the incoming light) without the need for a dedicated light sensor.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure are directed to an automated vehicle that can function as a vehicle operator training system. A vehicle that combines sensors, actuators, infotainment, and/or communication functions may have the capability to provide a fully autonomous training experience in a real world environment. The vehicle can administer, monitor, and communicate with a vehicle operator for competency training and/or verification for a specific vehicle feature, sub-feature, situation maneuver, and/or objective.

Abstract: A charging station can be autonomously coupled to an electric vehicle. Sensors on the vehicle determine a location of the vehicle, and the vehicle is positioned within a connection envelope. A travel path for bringing a charging connector into contact with a charging port on the vehicle can be determined, and then the travel path is autonomously carried out. A charging station may include a mount, a bracket, and a charging connection.