Abstract: A method is disclosed for vehicular operation on a road comprising a road network configured to communicate with one or more vehicles on the road, the method comprising sending a signal from a first vehicle to the road network, the signal comprising an intended path of the first vehicle on the road; receiving the signal at the road network; and adjusting at least one of a speed and a path of a second vehicle with respect to the road in response to the signal.

Abstract: Vehicles that are autonomous or human-operated may drive in a platoon to achieve energy savings. A leader vehicle receives information broadcasts from following vehicles that include a state of energy and one or more other values such as energy usage rates, range, destination, and aerodynamic properties. The leader vehicle may then determine an ordering of vehicles that increases the range of the platoon, e.g., reduces the number of refueling/recharging stops of the platoon. Other considerations for ordering the vehicles may include overall energy savings and a fair distribution of energy savings. A desired ordering may be achieved by transmitting swap commands to pairs of vehicles until the platoon is in the correct ordering.

Abstract: Vehicles that are autonomous or human-operated may drive in a platoon to achieve energy savings. A leader vehicle receives information broadcasts from following vehicles that include a state of energy and one or more other values such as energy usage rates, range, destination, and aerodynamic properties. The leader vehicle may then determine an ordering of vehicles that increases the range of the platoon, e.g., reduces the number of refueling/recharging stops of the platoon. Other considerations for ordering the vehicles may include overall energy savings and a fair distribution of energy savings. A desired ordering may be achieved by transmitting swap commands to pairs of vehicles until the platoon is in the correct ordering.

Abstract: Riders may request rides from a rider location to a desired destination. Possible stops are selected according to a fairness calculation that accounts for distance, weather, and wait times. Stops may be selected from among predefined virtual stops and based on virtual curb colors defining permitted stopping locations. Stops may be moved to promotional locations or to avoid stop congestion due to too many shuttles or too many riders using the stop. Routes are calculated for these stops and ETAs for the routes calculated based on traffic congestion data. Stop locations are communicated to riders and updated based on current traffic conditions or change in rider locations.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: Self-stabilizing autonomous devices and use thereof in autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. An example device can include a body member having a central axis extending therethrough, a delivery platform disposed on a first end of the body member, a translation assembly disposed on a second end of the body member, a ballast assembly, and a controller that is configured to control operation of at least one of the translation assembly or the ballast assembly so as to balance forces exerted on the device and maintain the delivery platform in a desired orientation as the device moves across an operating surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for vehicular operation on a road comprising a road network configured to communicate with one or more vehicles on the road, the method comprising sending a signal from a first vehicle to the road network, the signal comprising an intended path of the first vehicle on the road; receiving the signal at the road network; and adjusting at least one of a speed and a path of a second vehicle with respect to the road in response to the signal.

Abstract: Self-stabilizing autonomous devices and use thereof in autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. An example device can include a body member having a central axis extending therethrough, a delivery platform disposed on a first end of the body member, a translation assembly disposed on a second end of the body member, a ballast assembly, and a controller that is configured to control operation of at least one of the translation assembly or the ballast assembly so as to balance forces exerted on the device and maintain the delivery platform in a desired orientation as the device moves across an operating surface.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel energy generator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle body and a plurality of body panels forming the vehicle body. At least one of the body panels comprises a vehicular solar panel. A method of generating and utilizing electrical power in a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include an object detection system and method for identifying objects within an area. In one embodiment, the objection detection system may formulate an outline of a detected object and generate a three-dimensional shape or image of the object. Object information may be used to determine and communicate the position, range, and bearing of the object.

Abstract: Information about a device may be emotively conveyed to a user of the device. Input indicative of an operating state of the device may be received. The input may be transformed into data representing a simulated emotional state. Data representing an avatar that expresses the simulated emotional state may be generated and displayed. A query from the user regarding the simulated emotional state expressed by the avatar may be received. The query may be responded to.

Abstract: An object relative status determination system (54) for a vehicle (52) includes an orthogonal frequency domain modulation (OFDM) transceiver (56) that generates an object range signal (83). The system (54) may also include a global navigation system (GNS) (58) that receives a satellite range signal (70). A controller (66) is coupled to the OFDM transceiver (56) and the GNS (58) and determines object information relative to the vehicle (52) in response to the object range signal (83) and the satellite range signal (70).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying text information and making such information available for applications. The system includes an electronic device communicating text information and an application for performing a function. The system also includes memory storing known text formats and a processor for processing the text information. The processor compares the text information to the known text formats and determines a text format of the text information. The processor also tags the text information according to the determined text format and further makes the tagged text information available to one or more applications.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include an object detection system and method for identifying objects within an area. In one embodiment, the objection detection system may formulate an outline of a detected object and generate a three-dimensional shape or image of the object. Object information may be used to determine and communicate the position, range, and bearing of the object.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a vehicle radio frequency interface module for communicating with an electronic device remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel energy generator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle body and a plurality of body panels forming the vehicle body. At least one of the body panels comprises a vehicular solar panel. A method of generating and utilizing electrical power in a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a travel system and method for at least one vehicle that provides travel routes. The system includes a first image capture device located on the one vehicle and configured to capture images of a road. A controller is included which is communicative with the first image capture device and configured to assemble the images to form a first map of the road. Additionally, a navigation system is included communicative with the controller for receiving the first map and providing the routes for the one vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying text information and making such information available for applications. The system includes an electronic device communicating text information and an application for performing a function. The system also includes memory storing known text formats and a processor for processing the text information. The processor compares the text information to the known text formats and determines a text format of the text information. The processor also tags the text information according to the determined text format and further makes the tagged text information available to one or more applications.