Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a wheel, a suspension system that supports the wheel relative to the vehicle body, a sensing system for determining an environmental condition ahead of the vehicle and a control system. The suspension system includes a primary actuator that transfers force between the wheel and the vehicle body, and a wheel hop damper that includes a moving mass and that transfers force between the wheel and the moving mass independent of the vehicle body to inhibit resonance of an unsprung mass formed by the wheel and a portion of the suspension system coupled thereto. The control system operates the primary actuator to provide additional secondary ride control when the wheel hop damper exceeds a capacity threshold. The control system changes the capacity threshold according to the environmental condition. The wheel hop damper may be a reaction mass actuator or a tuned mass damper.

Abstract: A method includes determining temperature values for roadway areas ahead of a vehicle, determining lubricant state values for the roadway areas, and determining lubricant thickness values for the roadway areas. The method also includes determining a tire-road friction estimate for each of the roadway areas using the temperature values, the lubricant state values, and the lubricant thickness values, and defining a friction map that relates the tire-road friction estimates to the roadway areas. The method also includes determining a motion plan based at least in part on the friction map, and controlling the vehicle based on the motion plan.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, devices, and the like, for controlling the projection of an array of lights or an image from a headlight of a vehicle in response to information provided by one or more sensors or user inputs. The projection may be utilized to highlight an object in or near the path of travel of a vehicle. In another example, the headlight may be controlled to adjust the contrast across the field of view of the headlight. In addition, the system may project one or more images onto an object or surface either in the path of the vehicle or within the field of view of the headlight, projecting a “next step” in a series of navigation instructions onto the road, and/or projecting an indication of a movement of the vehicle to warn people around the vehicle of the movement of the vehicle. One or more visual effects may also be incorporated into the system to enhance the visibility of objects.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for creating a database of pull-off areas for a vehicle based on aggregated pull-off information received from a plurality of vehicles and other sources. In one embodiment, the aggregated, crowd-sourced pull-off information may be available to a mobile device (such as an autonomous vehicle or mobile communication device) for reference by the device to understand the condition, location, and availability of potential pull-off areas near a roadway.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, devices, and the like, for controlling the projection of an array of lights or an image from a headlight of a vehicle in response to information provided by one or more sensors or user inputs. The projection may be utilized to highlight an object in or near the path of travel of a vehicle. In another example, the headlight may be controlled to adjust the contrast across the field of view of the headlight. In addition, the system may project one or more images onto an object or surface either in the path of the vehicle or within the field of view of the headlight, projecting a “next step” in a series of navigation instructions onto the road, and/or projecting an indication of a movement of the vehicle to warn people around the vehicle of the movement of the vehicle. One or more visual effects may also be incorporated into the system to enhance the visibility of objects.