Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle using a smart shoe device. For example, some embodiments of the application may monitor operation of a vehicle system and monitor operation of a smart shoe device. The process may determine that the smart shoe device is within a threshold period of time of performing an future action associated with commanding movement of the vehicle and enable a response by the vehicle based on the future action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for influential control over a driver's hand(s) that grip a vehicle's steering wheel. Upon issuing an autonomous control signal to control motive operation of the vehicle, an autonomous control system of the vehicle may further reinforce the application of the autonomous control signal by inducing the driver's hand(s) to grip/increase grip strength on the vehicle's steering wheel or by releasing the grip/decreasing grip strength on the vehicle's steering wheel. Moreover, the increasing/decreasing of the driver's grip may alternatively, or in addition to the reinforcement aspect, induce augmentative or intervening action(s)/behavior(s) by the driver.

Abstract: A multi-part steering apparatus includes an outer rim and an inner hub. The outer rim rotates relative to the inner hub with an adjustable rotation resistance. A rotatable mechanical interface connected the outer rim to the inner hub, and a damper connects to the rotatable mechanical interface. The damper is configured to change the rotation resistance between the outer rim and inner hub. The rotatable mechanical interface may include a gear track disposed on an inside portion of the outer rim and a gear system attached to the inner hub and positioned to mesh with the gear track. The damper may include an electric motor connected to the rotatable mechanical interface and an adjustable load connected to terminals of the electric motor.

Abstract: A multi-part steering apparatus includes an outer rim and an inner hub. The outer rim rotates relative to the inner hub with an adjustable rotation resistance. A rotatable mechanical interface connected the outer rim to the inner hub, and a damper connects to the rotatable mechanical interface. The damper is configured to change the rotation resistance between the outer rim and inner hub. The rotatable mechanical interface may include a gear track disposed on an inside portion of the outer rim and a gear system attached to the inner hub and positioned to mesh with the gear track. The damper may include an electric motor connected to the rotatable mechanical interface and an adjustable load connected to terminals of the electric motor.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein concern a reconfigurable throttle-by-wire pedal subsystem for a vehicle and associated methods. One embodiment detects a pedal error in which a driver of the vehicle mistakenly actuates an accelerator foot pedal unit of the vehicle instead of a separate brake pedal of the vehicle, the accelerator foot pedal unit controlling a throttle of the vehicle, and performs the following in response to the detected pedal error: reconfiguring the accelerator foot pedal unit to control a braking subsystem of the vehicle instead of the throttle and reconfiguring a haptic feedback of the accelerator foot pedal unit from a throttle-by-wire mode to a brake-by-wire mode.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and vehicle for controlling a vehicle's adaptive window transparency with respect to its autonomous operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of controlling adaptive window transparency includes calculating a buffer period having a start time and an end time. The method also includes adjusting transparency on a set of windows based on the start time of the buffer period and transferring control of the vehicle to the vehicle or driver based on the end time. In response to detecting an emergency, the method further includes removing all tinting on the set of windows. In another embodiment, a method of controlling adaptive window transparency includes calculating a buffer period based on a navigation route.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing inverse parking distance control (PDC). In one embodiment, a method for providing inverse PDC includes obtaining sensor data indicating an entity approaching the vehicle, determining whether the entity is a parking vehicle based on one or more characteristics of the entity derived based on the sensor data, determining whether the entity is utilizing a PDC system, and triggering a proximity alert when the entity approaches within a threshold distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a parking vehicle that is not utilizing a PDC system.

Abstract: A vehicle system including one or more sensors, a steering wheel including a rim and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a coefficient of friction between a surface of the rim and a driver's hand, and a controller configured to determine whether a deviation factor between a target path and an actual path based on the one or more sensors exceeds a threshold deviation, send a first signal to the adjusting mechanism for operating to a first state in response to determining that the deviation factor exceeds the threshold deviation, the coefficient of friction being decreased when the adjusting mechanism is in the first state, and send a second signal to the adjusting mechanism for operating to a second state in response to determining that the deviation factor does not exceed the threshold deviation, the coefficient of friction being increased when the adjusting mechanism is in the second state.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes one or more sensors, a steering wheel including a rim having a diameter, the steering wheel including an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the diameter of at least a portion of the rim, and a controller configured to determine whether a deviation factor between a target path and an actual path based on the one or more sensors exceeds a threshold deviation, send to the adjusting mechanism an instruction for adjusting the rim of the steering wheel to a first state in response to determining that the deviation factor exceeds the threshold deviation, and send to the adjusting mechanism an instruction for adjusting the rim of the steering wheel to a second state in response to determining that the deviation factor does not exceed the threshold deviation.