Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vehicle climate control using distributed sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving data from sensors distributed within a vehicle at a first controller, processing the data at the first controller to identify an event associated with the interior of the vehicle and sending an instruction based on the event from the first controller to a second controller of the vehicle to affect an operation of a climate control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gas detection within vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes monitoring background gas concentrations in a vehicle using a robot having a gas module having a non-selective sensor and a selective sensor, determining a concern index based on output of the gas module, determining when the concern index exceeds a threshold which indicates presence of a non-atmospheric gas, causing the robot to traverse an operating area when the concern index exceeds the threshold to search for a source of the non-atmospheric gas by measuring gas concentration gradients, classifying the non-atmospheric gas using the selective sensor of the gas module and identifying a location of the source of the non-atmospheric gas in the vehicle based on the gas concentration gradients.

Abstract: A system includes a computer remote from a vehicle. The computer is programmed to store a label of an odor associated with a user, instruct the vehicle to pick up the user, receive data from an environmental sensor in the vehicle, and output a message upon determining that the data indicate that a level of the odor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle may receive a request for use of a vehicle resource from a remote source. The vehicle may determine if the vehicle is capable of fulfilling the request based a state of the resource. The may also determine and send a cost for using the resource, to the remote source, in response to determining the vehicle is capable of fulfilling the request and provide use of the resource in accordance with a use-term defined in conjunction with the cost, in response to receiving agreement from the remote source to pay the cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a display cleaning system are provided. The system may include a touchscreen device having a display operatively coupled to a cleaning apparatus. The touchscreen device may include an algorithm for detecting when and how often to clean the display. For example, the algorithm may be executed to monitor touch events on the display, such that when a certain number of touch events are detected, it will determine that the screen needs to be cleaned. Thresholds for cleaning may be adjusted based on user input. The touchscreen device may be integrated, for example, in an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor. The processor is programmed to generate, upon detecting a vehicle entry device, a first data block including a hash of identification data for the entry device. The processor is further programmed, upon detecting a trip event, to generate a second data block including a hash of trip event data and a hash linking the second data block to the first data block.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that may comprise: one or more processors of a center node, wherein the center node is a vehicle computer; and memory of the center node, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the one or more processors, the instructions comprising to: determine a first network comprising the center node and a plurality of member nodes based on a mesh network of the center node and the plurality of member nodes; add at least one virtual node to the first network; and using the first network, exchange cryptographic data between the at least one virtual node, the center node, and the plurality of member nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a display cleaning system are provided. The system may include a touchscreen device having a display operatively coupled to a cleaning apparatus. The touchscreen device may include an algorithm for detecting when and how often to clean the display. For example, the algorithm may be executed to monitor touch events on the display, such that when a certain number of touch events are detected, it will determine that the screen needs to be cleaned. Thresholds for cleaning may be adjusted based on user input. The touchscreen device may be integrated, for example, in an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna, including a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna, including a plurality of light elements and a plurality of active antenna elements in a predefined configuration surrounding a lensless camera element. The vehicle further includes an antenna controller configured to receive an image of a second mmWave antenna of a second vehicle via the lensless camera of the mmWave antenna, identify a scale and angle of rotation between the mmWave antenna and the second mmWave antenna based on the image, compute phase angles for the active antenna elements of the mmWave antenna according to the scale and angle of rotation, and transmit data using the active antenna elements to the second vehicle, according to the computed phase angles, to form a beam targeted at the second mmWave antenna of the second vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gas detection within vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes monitoring background gas concentrations in a vehicle using a robot having a gas module having a non-selective sensor and a selective sensor, determining a concern index based on output of the gas module, determining when the concern index exceeds a threshold which indicates presence of a non-atmospheric gas, causing the robot to traverse an operating area when the concern index exceeds the threshold to search for a source of the non-atmospheric gas by measuring gas concentration gradients, classifying the non-atmospheric gas using the selective sensor of the gas module and identifying a location of the source of the non-atmospheric gas in the vehicle based on the gas concentration gradients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vehicle HVAC control are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a portable device interface of a vehicle, the portable device interface to be communicatively coupled with a portable device, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system of the vehicle, where the HVAC control system is to be communicatively coupled to the portable device interface. The example apparatus also includes a processor to control the HVAC control system based on signals received at the portable device interface from the portable device.

Abstract: A drone communication system is described. Using the system, a method may be executed that includes: when a recipient vehicle is out of wireless range, transmitting a message, from a sending vehicle, to a plurality of drones that are focusing antenna beams on the sending vehicle so that the plurality then may transmit the message to the recipient vehicle by focusing antenna beams thereon.

Abstract: A method includes positioning one or more roadway sensors and a plurality of a networked array of light emitting diode (LED) raised pavement markers on a road. Sensors proximate the road are associated with a network of road marking controllers that cooperate to control the LEDs as vehicles drive on the road. The LEDs operate as a networked array of roadway lane marking lights. The road marking controller(s) determine a distance between a vehicle on the road and the roadway sensor, determine a dynamic condition associated with the vehicle that changes with respect to time, and lights the plurality of LEDs based at least in part on the distance between the vehicle and the roadway sensor and the dynamic condition associated with the vehicle. Dynamic conditions for operating the LED lighting scheme can include vehicle velocity, a date, a time, a weather condition proximate the vehicle, and other factors.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive image data gathered by a vehicle camera, relating to a fixed environmental feature. The processor is also configured to determine a vehicle position relative to the fixed environmental feature and determine a vehicle lane-level location on a digital map, based on the vehicle position relative to the fixed environmental feature.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle sharing include a vehicle having sensors, a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory communicating with the sensor and programmed to store sensor data associated with a vehicle sharing trip, and a human-machine interface (HMI) communicating with the VCS and displaying a vehicle sharing trip cost using the sensor data associated with vehicle and/or vehicle component wear and tear incurred during the trip, trip cost savings based on the pricing method, and presenting related coupons. Vehicle sharing cost may be determined for a vehicle use, driver, route, road conditions, parking behavior, weather, etc. based on data from vehicle sensors and external sensors to detect ambient and operating conditions. Sensor data may be communicated to cloud-based networks for processing, analysis, and cost determination using models associating sensor data with component wear, driver's characteristics, historical behavior, and related maintenance and repair cost.

Abstract: A method for mitigating odor includes detecting a known smell using on one or more odor sensors in a vehicle. The method includes determining whether the known smell is agreeable to one or more passengers of the vehicle. The method includes mitigating the known smell using one or more odor control devices if the known smell is not agreeable to the one or more passengers of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for billboard interface for display of vehicle. An example method for generating a billboard interface for a vehicle display includes obtaining, via a camera, an image of a billboard and identifying, via a processor, a segment of the image. The example method also includes determining an event associated with the segment and generating a billboard interface to include a hyperlink of the segment that initiates the event. The example method also includes communicating, via a communication module, the billboard interface to a vehicle display for presentation to a user.

Abstract: An advertising method for a shuttle comprises by a controller, responsive to identifying a drop-off location and a business paying to influence a route traveled by the shuttle, selecting one of a plurality of routes to the drop-off location according to a priming estimate indicating that points of interest along the one share more characteristics with the business relative to others of the plurality; and commanding the shuttle to travel the one.

Abstract: A drone communication system is described. Using the system, a method may be executed that includes: when a recipient vehicle is out of wireless range, transmitting a message, from a sending vehicle, to a plurality of drones that are focusing antenna beams on the sending vehicle so that the plurality then may transmit the message to the recipient vehicle by focusing antenna beams thereon.

Abstract: A method includes positioning one or more roadway sensors and a plurality of a networked array of light emitting diode (LED) raised pavement markers on a road. Sensors proximate the road are associated with a network of road marking controllers that cooperate to control the LEDs as vehicles drive on the road. The LEDs operate as a networked array of roadway lane marking lights. The road marking controller(s) determine a distance between a vehicle on the road and the roadway sensor, determine a dynamic condition associated with the vehicle that changes with respect to time, and lights the plurality of LEDs based at least in part on the distance between the vehicle and the roadway sensor and the dynamic condition associated with the vehicle. Dynamic conditions for operating the LED lighting scheme can include vehicle velocity, a date, a time, a weather condition proximate the vehicle, and other factors.