Abstract: An embodiment method for automatized selection and documentation of personal highlights during journeys with a vehicle includes capturing journey data during a journey of the vehicle, the journey data including audio, image, or video data taken of an interior or an exterior of the vehicle, storing selected aspects of the journey data to a non-transient data storage in response to a trigger criteria being met during the journey in an associated driving situation, and generating a selection of personal journey highlights based on the selected aspects stored during the journey for presentation during or after the journey.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a vehicle monitoring system for detecting and mitigating rider safety risks in a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to collect data associated with a rider safety requirement. The rider safety requirement includes a preventative safety requirement threshold and a critical safety requirement threshold for rider safety. The system includes a controller configured to determine whether the preventative safety requirement threshold is satisfied based on the data from the plurality of sensors. In response, the controller is configured to generate a first countermeasure configured to prevent a violation of the rider safety requirement. The controller is configured to determine the critical safety requirement threshold is satisfied based on the data from the plurality of sensors. In response, the controller is configured to generate a second countermeasure configured to mitigate the violation of the rider safety requirement.

Abstract: A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of activating a vehicle function is provided. The method includes detecting a force exerted onto a bed step of a vehicle using a pressure sensor. A controller detects whether the amount of force exerted onto the bed step is greater than a force threshold. When the force exertion force exceeds the force threshold, one of a plurality of pressure patterns is detected. One of a plurality of vehicle functions is then activated based on the detected pressure pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for air sanitation in vehicles. The system detects a change in a vehicle occupancy in a vehicle. The system then generates an air curtain zone in the vehicle based on the vehicle occupancy. The air curtain zone includes an air curtain to isolate air within the air curtain zone from a portion of the vehicle. The air curtain zone also includes a vent and an air filter to purify air in the air curtain zone.

Abstract: A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.

Abstract: A method of activating a vehicle function is provided. The method includes detecting a force exerted onto a bed step of a vehicle using a pressure sensor. A controller detects whether the amount of force exerted onto the bed step is greater than a force threshold. When the force exertion force exceeds the force threshold, one of a plurality of pressure patterns is detected. One of a plurality of vehicle functions is then activated based on the detected pressure pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a wait time at a destination of a vehicle using a V2V communication are provided. The method may include: receiving, by a user interface, a request from a user to estimate the wait time at the destination of the vehicle; determining, by a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation unit, the destination of the vehicle, a distance from a current location of the vehicle to the destination, and an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at the destination; collecting, by the communicator, first information from near-by vehicles using a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication; calculating, by a controller, a number of target vehicles based on second information received from the near-by vehicles; and estimating, by the controller, the wait time at the destination based on the calculated number of the target vehicles.

Abstract: A method for predictive drone landing is provided. The method includes obtaining a relative position of a drone with respect to a landing dock mounted on a vehicle, obtaining a relative velocity of the drone with respect to the landing dock, estimating a time of landing based on the relative position and the relative velocity of the drone with respect to the landing dock, and predicting a location of the vehicle at the estimated time of landing as a drone landing location based on driving data of the vehicle and flight conditions of the drone. In particular, the drone landing location is predicted based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle, a calculated vehicle route from a navigation system, a road traffic condition, a 2-D map data, a 3-D map data, advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) data, and traffic data received via a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

Abstract: A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle seating arrangement can include: detecting a current seat occupancy in a vehicle using a plurality of sensors installed in the vehicle; identifying a seat of the vehicle for a future passenger to occupy based on the detected current seat occupancy; unlocking, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, a door of the vehicle adjacent to the identified seat; and activating, by the ECU, a light of the vehicle proximate to the identified seat.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle seating arrangement can include: detecting a current seat occupancy in a vehicle using a plurality of sensors installed in the vehicle; identifying a seat of the vehicle for a future passenger to occupy based on the detected current seat occupancy; unlocking, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, a door of the vehicle adjacent to the identified seat; and activating, by the ECU, a light of the vehicle proximate to the identified seat.