Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a powered door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, interior sensors sensing position or movement of an occupant in the cabin interior, and exterior sensors sensing a passerby proximate to the vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller determining an occupant intending to exit the vehicle via the door based on the interior sensors and determining a passerby passing by the door in an open position using the at least one exterior sensors. The controller controls the actuator to open the door when the occupant is intended to exit the vehicle and at least partially closes the door when a passerby is detected passing by the vehicle door and an occupant is determined not to be exiting the vehicle. The controller controls the actuator to open the door further when the passerby is determined to pass by the door.

Abstract: A system and method to manage charging priority for at least one accessory includes the steps of: providing one or more charging stations for the at least one accessory, monitoring vehicle power status, and monitoring accessory charging status. Additionally, the allocation of power supplied to the one or more charging stations is managed based on priority requirements as determined per each accessory.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, actuate a thermal sensor to collect temperature data in the passenger cabin, identify a surface in the passenger cabin that has a temperature below a temperature threshold, and actuate one or more components to sanitize the identified surface.

Abstract: A biometric evaluation system for a vehicle includes a vision sensor configured to detect a biometric quality of a user. The biometric evaluation system also includes an operational system for the vehicle. At least one processor is in communication with the vision sensor. The processor is configured to execute a first classification algorithm that performs a first biometric validation based on the biometric quality to estimate a state of the user. The first classification algorithm requires a first service latency. In response to an outcome of the first biometric validation, the at least one processor is further configured to execute a second classification algorithm that performs a second biometric validation to confirm the state of the user. The second classification algorithm requires a second service latency greater than the first service latency. The processor is further configured to communicate a signal to modify operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An enhanced validation mode for a vehicle is provided. Presence of a primary access device is identified, using a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle being in the enhanced validation mode, aspects of a secondary access device are validated with an access list descriptive of which secondary access devices are allowable for use in confirming a user is authorized, in addition to utilizing the primary access device to validate access to the vehicle, the secondary access device being a physical credential issued to a user to grant the user access to a physical location. Responsive to the vehicle not being in the enhanced validation mode, the primary access device but not the secondary access device are utilized to validate access to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method to prevent intoxicated operation is described. The method includes providing instructions to a vehicle user to position a vehicle user body portion posture in a predefined alignment. The method further includes obtaining the vehicle user body portion posture from a first vehicle detector, and determining whether the vehicle user body portion posture is in the predefined alignment. The method includes activating a plurality of vehicle visual indicators to illuminate in a predefined manner when the vehicle user body portion posture is in the predefined alignment. The method further includes providing instructions to the vehicle user to move vehicle user eyes to track the plurality of vehicle visual indicators, and obtaining a vehicle user eye movement from a second vehicle detector. The method further includes determining whether the vehicle user eye movement meets a predetermined condition, and actuating a control action accordingly.

Abstract: A vehicle having park assist includes a plurality of powered closure doors, each door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, a plurality of sensors located on the vehicle for sensing objects relative to the vehicle and generating sensed signals indicative of the sensed objects, and a transceiver for communicating with a parked vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller processing the sensed signals, determining a distance and location of the sensed objects relative to the doors, and determining a parking location for the vehicle in a garage where the closure doors are free from contact with an object in the garage when in an open position and are free of contact with powered closure doors on the parked vehicle. An output is provided to assist a driver of the vehicle to park the vehicle in the garage in the determined parking location.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, each seat having an adjustable seat base and an adjustable seat back, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the cabin interior, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals, the controller further controlling at least one of the adjustable seat base and adjustable seat back of a seat based on the determined location of the pet so that the seat is configured to accommodate the pet.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to select a scanning rate for a first sensor of a vehicle based on at least one of data related to a current time or data related to a location of the vehicle; instruct the first sensor to run at the selected scanning rate; in response to receiving data from the first sensor indicating a newly present object, turn on a second sensor; and then record data from the second sensor. The second sensor has a higher power draw than the first sensor.

Abstract: A pet bowl is provided that comprises a housing defining a water container, a proximity sensor located proximate to the water container, the proximity sensor having conductive circuitry comprising a first circuit made of a first metal and a second circuit made of a dissimilar second metal, and a controller processing signals received from the proximity sensor, the controller selectively switching the conductive circuitry between a first configuration operating as the proximity sensor to sense water contained in the container and a second configuration operating as a thermocouple to sense temperature proximate to the water container.

Abstract: Upon identifying an authorized user approaching a vehicle, vehicle locks are controlled to permit the authorized user to access an authorized area based on a user authorization. Permitted vehicle features within the authorized area for the authorized user are identified based on the user authorization. Upon receiving a user input selecting one permitted vehicle feature, the selected permitted vehicle feature is actuated based on determining that a state of charge of a battery is above a charge threshold. Upon determining that the state of charge of the battery decreases below the charge threshold, actuation of the selected permitted vehicle feature is stopped. Then an engine is controlled to charge the battery based on the user authorization.

Abstract: A vehicle for improved user authentication is provided. The vehicle includes a biometric sensor; and a controller programmed to initiate a biometric authentication of a user within a vicinity of a vehicle using data received from the biometric sensor, and responsive to occurrence of a secondary trigger condition initiated by the user to gain access to the vehicle, complete the authentication to grant or deny access to the user. A system for remote management of lockout states for a vehicle is provided. A server is programmed to receive a lockout notification from the vehicle, responsive to occurrence of a failed access attempt using an access modality, the lockout notification including contextual information with respect to the occurrence of the failed access attempt; and send, responsive to the lockout notification, an indication of an administrative action to be performed by the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods to address surfaces of a vehicle that are uncomfortable to the touch. An example method executed by a processor includes determining a surface temperature of a component of the vehicle, determining that the surface temperature exceeds a threshold surface temperature, and issuing a notification based on the surface temperature of the component exceeding the threshold surface temperature. Determining the surface temperature of the component can involve operations such as measuring the surface temperature, estimating the surface temperature, and/or predicting the surface temperature. Measuring the surface temperature can involve obtaining a temperature measurement from a thermal sensor. Estimating the surface temperature can involve operations such as evaluating a thermal image of at least a portion of the component, evaluating an ambient temperature, and/or evaluating sunlight exposure.

Abstract: A transfer key system for a vehicle may include a key receptacle configured to detect the presence of a transfer key, and a controller configured to receive key status signals from the key receptacle, and activate the transfer key as an active transfer key in response to the status signal indicating a removal of the transfer key from the key receptacle and receiving an authentication signal from a user.

Abstract: An item repositioning method includes, in response to a request for an item, moving a vehicle along a first route to a location of the item, loading the item in the vehicle using a lift assist device mounted to the vehicle, moving the vehicle along a second route to transport the item to a desired location, and at the desired location, unloading the item from the vehicle using the lift assist device.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior and comprising a front row of seats and a rear row of seats, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, and a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet or passenger within the cabin interior. The vehicle also includes a movable center console positioned between a pair of the forward row of seats and forward of the rear row of seats and comprising a holder for holding a drink container, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the detected pet or passenger on the rear row of seats based on the processed signals, the controller further controlling the movable console between a forward first position and a rearward second position closer to the rear row of seats.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powered door having an actuator to move the door between open and closed positions, a transceiver configured to communicate with one or more mobile devices, and an imaging device oriented to capture images in a region proximate to the powered door. A controller processes the captured images and controls the actuator to move the door to the open position when a mobile device is detected proximate the vehicle and a user is detected in the captured images located in a door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a face of a user is recognized as an authorized user located in the door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a gait of the user is detected and identifies the gait are indicative of an authorized user located in the door detection zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a camera and a body control module. The body control module sends an instruction to a mobile device and captures, with the camera, an image of the mobile device. The body control module also analyzes the image to determine an initial location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle, and based on the initial location, performs dead reckoning on the mobile device to track the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance, the body control module enables autonomous parking.

Abstract: A computer, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to acquire a first image by illuminating a first object with a first light beam, segment the first image of the first object to determine regions that correspond to a first surface material and determine a first measure of pixel values in regions of the first image that correspond to the first surface material. The instructions include further instructions to perform a comparison of the first measure of pixel values to a second measure of pixel values determined from a second image of a second object, wherein the second image is previously acquired by illuminating the second object with a second light beam and when the comparison determines that the first measure is equal to the second measure of pixel values within a tolerance, determine that the first object and the second object are a same object.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, a load ramp, and a moisture sensor. The access aperture provides access to an interior of the vehicle. The closure panel selectively covers at least a portion of the access aperture. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a dosed position relative to the access aperture. The load ramp is deployably coupled to the closure panel. The load ramp includes a coupled end and a free end. The load ramp is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The moisture sensor is positioned proximate to the free end of the load ramp. Methods of controlling the vehicle are also disclosed.