Abstract: A drive mode adaptation system is for a vehicle. The vehicle has a drive mode selector. The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor electrically connected to the drive mode selector, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data with the drive mode selector to determine a preferred drive mode.

Abstract: A vehicle having a tailgate configured to move between retracted and extended positions is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first detection unit, a second detection unit, a third detection unit and a control unit. The control unit obtains a first input from the first detection unit and determines whether the tailgate is in extended position. The control unit further obtains a second input and a third input from the second and third detection units respectively, when the tailgate is in the extended position. Responsive to obtaining the second and third inputs, the control unit identifies a tailgate extended orientation. In addition, the control unit detects an obstacle presence in a vehicle rear side proximity and calculates a calibrated distance between the obstacle and a tailgate top side, based on the tailgate extended orientation. The control unit notifies a vehicle user when the calibrated distance is less than a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for platooning vehicles or other types of nodes. The platooning may involve receiving a request from a vehicle to initiate a platoon. In response to the request, another vehicle may indicate a desire to form the platoon with the requesting vehicle. Before the platoon is formed, a verification process may be performed to determine the eligibility of the vehicle to join a platoon, which may be based on a rating associated with the vehicle. Once the vehicle is verified, the platoon may be established. Upon establishment, the vehicles may proceed to coordinate actions, and a lead vehicle may be identified for the platoon. Vehicles may request to join and leave the platoon throughout the lifetime of the platoon. The platoon may eventually be dismissed, for example if the lead vehicle leaves the platoon and no one vehicle is willing and/or able to serve as lead vehicle.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic control unit of a vehicle, to monitor tires of the vehicle. The method includes evaluating a target location to monitor the vehicle tires. Based on the evaluation that the target location is fit to monitor the tires, the method includes initiating a monitoring mode of the vehicle. In response to initiating the monitoring mode, the method includes rotating front tires and back tires of the vehicle in opposite directions. During the rotation of the front and back tires, the method includes monitoring the rotation of the tires by using one or more vehicle sensors. The method further includes determining one or more anomalies in the vehicle tires based on the monitoring of the rotation of the front and back tires. Based on the determination, the method includes performing one or more remedial actions to mitigate the anomalies.

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 two-dimensional image of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle is collected. The collected two-dimensional image is input to a machine learning program trained to output one or more reference points of the vehicle occupant, each reference point being a landmark of the vehicle occupant. One or more reference points of the vehicle occupant in the two-dimensional image is output from the machine learning program. A location of the vehicle occupant in an interior of the vehicle is determined based on the one or more reference points. A vehicle component is actuated based on the determined location. For each of the one or more reference points, a similarity measure is determined between the reference point and a three-dimensional reference point, the similarity measure based on a distance between the reference point and the three-dimensional reference point.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying individual tapes in layers onto a substrate includes a plurality of reels, applicators, and a guide member. A first reel holds a first tape and a second reel holds a second tape. A first applicator includes a first pressure surface that receives the first tape from the first reel and presses the first tape in a direction toward the substrate to apply the first tape to the substrate. The second applicator includes a second pressure surface that receives the second tape from the second reel. The second pressure surface is aligned to dispense the second tape over a section of the first tape applied to the substrate and to press the second tape toward the substrate to apply the second tape over the first tape. The guide member is disposed between the reels and the applicators and aligns the first and second tapes during application.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting presence of a potential user of a vehicle, validating the potential user with a permissioned blockchain with a plurality of predefined nodes through a consensus among the predefined nodes, determining a level of authentication for the potential user according to the consensus and allowing the potential user to enter the vehicle and denying access to predetermined vehicle systems if the consensus fails to provide the level of authentication above a predefined percentage. The initializing the authentication based on detected presence of the potential user includes detecting the potential user with an exterior sensor coupled to the vehicle and applying the permissioned blockchain to perform facial recognition including performing an initial determination of authentication and requesting confirmation of the initial determination from at least one of the plurality of 63predefined nodes.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a metal foam element configured to provide a multi-purpose functionality to an electrical device in a vehicle. An example apparatus in a vehicle includes a module that houses an electrical device. A metal foam element is attached to the module in a configuration whereby the metal foam element provides a multi-purpose functionality that includes a heat dissipation functionality and an antenna functionality. In an example implementation, the metal foam element is attached to the module in the form of a sheet that is dimensioned to operate as a patch antenna for transmitting and/or receiving a wireless signal associated with the electrical device and to provide a heat dissipation functionality for dissipating heat produced by the electrical device.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing driver alerts inside a neighborhood. In an example embodiment, a neighborhood area network of computers is used to convey to a driver in the neighborhood, a driver alert about a driving impediment present on a road outside a residence. The driving impediment, which may be, for example, a vehicle, a trash receptacle, or an individual, is detected by a detection device (a camera, for example). The detection device informs a computer located in the residence of the driving impediment. The computer then communicates via the neighborhood area network with a computer in the vehicle to alert the driver. In some implementations, information pertaining to driving impediments in the neighborhood may be entered into a distributed ledger by using a blockchain mode of operation. The computer in the vehicle can access the distributed ledger to obtain this information.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a metal foam element configured to provide a multi-purpose functionality to an electrical device in a vehicle. An example apparatus in a vehicle includes a module that houses an electrical device. A metal foam element is attached to the module in a configuration whereby the metal foam element provides a multi-purpose functionality that includes a heat dissipation functionality and an antenna functionality. In an example implementation, the metal foam element is attached to the module in the form of a sheet that is dimensioned to operate as a patch antenna for transmitting and/or receiving a wireless signal associated with the electrical device and to provide a heat dissipation functionality for dissipating heat produced by the electrical device.

Abstract: A vehicle panel includes channels, wherein a first channel includes a first wire capable and a second channel includes a second wire and each wire is capable of carrying at least one of power or a vehicle data signal. The panel also includes a connection point connectable to at least one of a battery or a vehicle computing system, wherein selection of connection between the vehicle computing system or battery to a given connection point provided to a given one of the first or second channels dictates whether the channel carries the vehicle data signal or power. Also, the panel includes holes connecting to the first wire and at least two of the holes connecting to the second wire allowing a connection probe to be inserted into a respective hole to connect to a wire included in a channel to which the hole connects.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a vehicle air conditioner (A/C) drip valve receives a trigger signal to initiate a vehicle A/C drip valve diagnostic for a vehicle, obtains a first image of a target area at a first time when the target area is dry, obtains a second image of the target area after operation of a vehicle A/C at a second time after the first time, compares the first image to the second image to determine a presence or absence of condensate from the vehicle A/C, and determines whether the vehicle A/C drip valve is malfunctioning based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Upon determining a confidence score for challenge biometric data for a user of an object is less than a first confidence threshold, a confirmation confidence score for the challenge biometric data is determined based on a remote confidence score for the challenge biometric data received from a remote computer. Upon determining that the confirmation confidence score is greater than a second confidence threshold, a user status of the user is determined based on an authenticator. The user status is one of authorized or not authorized. The second confidence threshold is less than the first confidence threshold. Upon determining that the confirmation confidence score is less than or equal to the second confidence threshold, the user status is determined based on supplemental biometric data. Object components are controller based on the user status.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for tracking and instructing assembly of flexible modular products on a single assembly line. The systems enable methods for tracking components and procedures as well as tools used in the assembly of components using various sensors and devices along the line. The systems also enable methods for instructing and tracking usage of tools for procedures. Data from various sensors, stations, nodes, and relating to each particular assembly item are stored in a distributed ledger that is verified and secured for use as a production log including each action taken on the assembly item which may later be used for audit purposes as well as to increase confidence in the assembly of product variations on the assembly line.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to, among other things, distributed ledger systems for modular vehicles. The disclosure may involve receiving, at a first ledger associated with a first node, information regarding an interaction between the first node and a second node. The same transaction information may also be received at a second ledger associated with the second node, as well as ledgers associated with any other number of nodes. The first node, second node, and any other number of nodes may be modular vehicle components. Additionally, the first ledger, second ledger, and any other number of ledgers include a set of the same information. The first node, second node, and third node may be nodes on a distributed ledger network.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device for selectively and electrically coupling a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit of the plurality of electrical circuits at a first node, and a second remote cooperative testing device for selectively and electrically coupling the first and second electrical circuits at a second node. A testing circuit is formed between the first node and the second node by the first and second remote cooperative testing devices.

Abstract: Dead reckoning correction utilizing patterned light projection is provided herein. An example method can include navigating a drone along a pattern using dead reckoning, the pattern having a plurality of lines, detecting one of the plurality of lines using an optical sensor of the drone, determining when a line of travel of the drone is not aligned with the one of the plurality of lines, and realigning the line of travel of the drone so as to be aligned with the one of the plurality of lines to compensate for drift that occurs during navigation using dead reckoning.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating active protection of peripheral sensors. An example vehicle includes a sensor and a sensor protector. The example sensor protector is configured to, responsive to a vehicle collision, obtain diagnostic information from the sensor. The example sensor protector is also configured to determine whether to move the sensor from a first position to a second position based on the diagnostic information. The example sensor protector is also configured to cause the sensor to from the first position to the second position based on the determination.

Abstract: Low-power vehicle sentinel systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining electromagnetic signals in a target area surrounding a vehicle. The electromagnetic signals can be obtained from electromagnetic elements mounted to the vehicle. The method can include determining attributes or behaviors of an object in the target area based on the electromagnetic signals and executing a response measure based on the attributes or behaviors of the object.