Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is disclosed. The vehicle lighting system may include a display unit configured to operate in a plurality of display modes. The display unit may be mounted on a vehicle rear top portion. The vehicle lighting system may further include a processor that may be configured to obtain trigger event information associated with the display unit. Based on the trigger event information, the processor may select a display mode from the plurality of display modes, and may activate the display unit responsive to the selection.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to monitor conditions of a roadway as a vehicle travels the roadway while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, identify an expected condition change based on the monitoring the conditions of the roadway, determine a preferred power state for an engine of the vehicle based on the expected condition change, determine that an engine power state transition is planned for the engine, the engine power state transition including transitioning the engine from a current power state to a planned power state, and resolve the engine power state transition based on the preferred power state.

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: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.

Abstract: Parking settings and map data indicative of parking locations in proximity to a structure that are available for the vehicle are maintained to a memory of a vehicle, the parking settings indicating a first time at which the vehicle is to enter an automatic parking mode in which the vehicle moves among the parking locations in proximity to the structure, and a second time at which the vehicle is to exit the automatic parking mode. In the automatic parking mode, responsive to the parking settings indicating an automated parking movement, the parking locations are selected from to determine a parking location into which to move the vehicle and the automated parking movement is performed using a virtual drive system of the vehicle to move the vehicle from a current parked location in proximity to the structure to the determined parking location in proximity to the structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle includes a skid plate configured to attach to an underbody of the vehicle, a plurality of cooling channels extending in a longitudinal direction between the skid plate and the underbody of the vehicle, and a structural reinforcement extending outward from the skid plate. The skid plate, the plurality of cooling channels, and the structural reinforcement are additively manufactured in a unitary construction.

Abstract: A system for braking a host vehicle. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to actuate friction brakes in the host vehicle when a brake condition occurs. The brake condition includes that the host vehicle is parked on a roadway, a person is located exterior to the host vehicle, and an approaching vehicle will come within a distance threshold of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle-aided detection system for a vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle-aided detection system includes an end effector that is movable in an operating environment and coupled to a cargo bed via a robotic arm. A sensor system is configured to detect the end effector and at least one person in the operating environment. A controller is configured to process information received from the sensor system and to determine a physical profile of at least one person. The controller then determines whether user-worn equipment is equipped by the at least one person.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to providing assistance services to a disabled vehicle. In an example embodiment, a method executed by a first processor in a vehicle may involve detecting an event that places the vehicle in a disabled condition; transmitting information associated with the event to a second processor; and detecting an arrival of a assistance vehicle that is dispatched by the second processor based on an automated evaluation of the information associated with the event. The second processor, which can be, for example, a part of a server computer, may evaluate the information in order to identify an assistance vehicle having equipment for providing the assistance service. In an example scenario, the disabled vehicle and/or the assistance vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Use of a satellite network as a source of image data for detection of off-road obstacles is provided. Image data from a satellite network is received to an OBU of a vehicle via a transceiver of the vehicle. The image data is related to an off-road location to be traversed by the vehicle. A navigation map indicating locations of any obstacles detected as being present based on an analysis of changes in the image data over time is displayed in an HMI of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle feature predesignated as limited-use and may determine that a conditional parameter for enabling the vehicle feature has been met, based at least on a present vehicle state. The vehicle engages the vehicle feature responsive to the present vehicle state meeting the conditional use parameter and monitors changes to the present vehicle state. Also, the vehicle automatically controls the feature in accordance with changes to the present vehicle state, to adaptively control the vehicle feature reactive to the changes to the present vehicle state relative to the conditional use parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify loads lost from vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus to identify a load lost from a vehicle includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to determine a first load carried by the vehicle at a first time, determine a second load carried by the vehicle at a second time after the first time, identify a lost load occurrence in response to a load difference between the first load and the second load satisfying a lost load threshold, and generate an alert indicative of the lost load occurrence.

Abstract: A system has memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to instruct operation of at least one vehicle system (e.g., braking system, propulsion system, steering system, suspension system) in a minimum time mode for travel of the vehicle from a starting point to a destination point of a roadway. The system collects roadway data for the roadway from the starting point to the destination point. Based on the roadway data, the system determine a minimum time path from the starting point to the destination point and speed along the minimum time path. In response to a maximum acceleration input from a human driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is at the starting point, the system initiates the minimum time mode and instructs operation of at least one vehicle system to pursue the minimum time path and speed along the minimum time path from starting point to destination point.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine the load of a vehicle via calibrate a suspension sensor are disclosed herein. An example vehicle described herein includes a force transducer, an actuator coupled to the force transducer, memory including instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to engage the actuator to a bottom surface of a vehicle, apply a first force to the bottom surface via the actuator, determine a first displacement of a first suspension component of the vehicle, and calibrate a first sensor of the vehicle based on the first force and the first displacement.

Abstract: A load-monitoring system includes a vehicle processor and a camera mounted in a trailer. The vehicle, via the processor, displays a first image of a trailer load, received from a trailer-mounted camera and receives selection of a monitoring point on the image, via a touch-sensitive user interface displaying the image or other selection mechanism. The vehicle also receives selection of a fixed point on the image, via the user interface. If the monitoring point moves more than a threshold amount, relative to the fixed point, for example, in subsequent images captured by the camera, the vehicle alerts the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front axle having left and right front wheels and a rear axle having left and right rear wheels. A steering-wheel assembly is used to control at least the front wheels. Left and right driver-actuatable inputs are supported by the steering wheel assembly. A vehicle controller is programmed to, responsive to actuation of the driver-actuatable inputs, place the vehicle in one or more operating modes such as tank turn, trail turn assist, or diagonal driving mode.

Abstract: A vehicle determines a surface deviance on a road ahead of the vehicle and towards which the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle determines an adjustment to an adaptive ride-height system of the vehicle to change a vehicle ground-clearance, the adjustment determined based at least on a dimension associated with the deviance and, prior to reaching the deviance, adjusts the adaptive ride-height system in accordance with the determined adjustment.

Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second wheel assemblies, a steering wheel, a driver-actuatable input supported on the steering wheel, and an active stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar has a first end connected to the first wheel assembly, a second end connected to the second wheel assembly, and a coupler connected between the first and second ends and configured to provide a variable torsion force between the first and second ends. A controller is programmed to, in response to actuation of the driver-actuatable input, command the coupler to modify the torsion force.

Abstract: A vehicle can operate on a roadway for which a default lane is defined. Upon determining that the vehicle is currently operating on the roadway for which the default lane is defined, a lane override command to select a target lane other than the default lane can be determined based on prior lane selections in the vehicle. A vehicle component can be actuated based on the target lane override command.