Abstract: Systems and methods for driver presence and position detection are disclosed herein. A method can include determining a presence and a position of a driver in a sensing zone of a vehicle using a sensor platform integrated into the vehicle, determining when the position of the driver indicates that the driver is not in a fully-seated position relative to a driver's seat of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting a vehicle parameter of the vehicle based on the driver not being in a fully-seated position.

Abstract: A plurality of vehicle charging stations and a plurality of stationary sensors with respective fields of view can be disposed within an area. A stationary node computer including a first processor and a first memory and communicatively can be coupled to the charging station and the stationary sensors, the first memory storing instructions executable by the first processor such that the stationary computer is programmed to authorize a request from a vehicle to access the charging station; identify an object, detected in the area in data from one or more of the stationary sensors, to be tracked with respect to the vehicle; wherein the object to be tracked with respect to the vehicle is identified based on a type of the object, an attribute of the object and an attribute of the vehicle; and transmit data about the object to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller programmed to responsive to receiving a destination, plan a plurality of routes to the destination, obtain visibility condition data for at least a part of each of the routes, anticipate an activation of a driving assistance feature in a section of at least one of the routes using the visibility condition data, and responsive to arriving at the section, activate the driving assistance feature while the vehicle is being manually driven by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are proposed for coordinating and providing assistive traction drive forces during towing events between a motor vehicle and one or more charging trailers. The assistive traction drive forces may be provided in the form of a propulsive torque applied by an electric machine of the charging trailer. Electrical energy for powering the electric machine may be supplied by a powertrain system of the towing vehicle or an energy storage device of an electrified recreational/industrial vehicle that is operably connected to the charging trailer. Energy expended by the energy storage device for powering the electric machine may be replenished during the towing event by regenerative braking.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including for monitoring and remotely controlling a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The remote vehicle control system includes a horizontal display with vehicle graphics on a map and determines a control input to control a vehicle based on a device input from an input device.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle and detect a pedestrian. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernability of the audio content at an external location corresponding to the detected pedestrian, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle and detect a pedestrian. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernibility of the audio content at an external location corresponding to the detected pedestrian, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for receiving a work request for a fleet based incremental assignment system at a vehicle, collecting data from the vehicle during a predetermined period, the data related to a potential vehicle operator for the work request, analyzing the data to determine a performance degradation of the operator throughout the predetermined period, and determining whether the operator is eligible for the work request based on the analysis of the data. The data may be wireless data including monitored data concerning the operator including data related to physical status, level of exhaustion, performance degradation. The data may include interior and exterior sensor data of the vehicle including cameras, radar, and Lidar wherein the sensor data is collected throughout the predetermined period to determine the operator's gait, walking speed, walking behavior to and from the vehicle to evaluate an exhaustion metric for the operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting visually impaired passengers, e.g., blind passengers, using rideshare services is provided. The system may identify a visually impaired passenger from image data captured by one or more exterior cameras of a rideshare vehicle, e.g., by detection of use of a cane by the passenger. The system may then generate audible instructions that may be emitted via exterior and interior speakers of the vehicle or via a wirelessly paired headset worn by the passenger, to guide the passenger to the vehicle entrance and to an available passenger seat within the vehicle. The system further may detect obstacles or features in the path of the passenger, and emit audible alerts to guide the passenger around the obstacle or feature.

Abstract: A computer having a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The computer is programmed to: determine a total trip parameter associated with a destination of an occupant of a vehicle; determine a progress parameter since an outset of an occupant trip; and control a light output of a status assembly, wherein the output represents the parameters.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for hands-free liftgate activation. An example method may include receiving a liftgate activation signal. The example method may also include receiving first data from a sensor of a vehicle at a first time and second data from the sensor at a second time. The example method may also include determining that a first difference between a second value associated with the second data and a first value associated with the first data is greater than a first threshold amount. The example method may also include disabling, based on the determination that the first difference is greater than the first threshold amount, activation of a liftgate of the vehicle. The example method may also include receiving third data from the sensor. The example method may also include determining that a second difference between a third value associated with the third data and the first value is less than a second threshold amount.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods associated with a vehicle that is configured to provide photography assistance. An example method executed by processor of a vehicle may include generating a guidance associated with a photo capture operation and conveying the guidance to a vehicle controller. The processor may assist the vehicle controller to execute a vehicle maneuvering operation to capture a photograph of an object of photographical interest located outside the vehicle. The vehicle maneuvering operation can include parking the vehicle at a location that provides a view of the object or slowing down the vehicle while driving past the location. The photo capture operation can include the processor determining that the object is in a field of view of a camera mounted on the vehicle, configuring the camera to capture a photograph of the object, and operating the camera to capture the photograph of the object.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for a reconfigurable on-board package sorting system for a delivery vehicle including an enclosed storage compartment with a horizontal plane, a plurality of bins for holding packages, each bin including a computer readable identifier, a set of correlated conveyor belts on each horizontal plane, the correlated conveyors belts sized as a function of the bins, including at conveyor belts linearly oriented on the horizontal plane, mixing conveyors, each oriented adjacent to each convey belt to provide directional transition to a next conveyor belt, wherein the correlated conveyor belts provide directional movement of the bins in a loop on the horizontal plane by selective rotation of each conveyor belt, and a computer including a processor and memory to receive data from each identifier, the processor including instructions to: identify a location of bin and direct the operation of the correlated conveyor belts.

Abstract: A first message is broadcasted to a plurality of remote computers identifying an attribute of a host vehicle. A second message including a request to receive data about the identified attribute in response to broadcasting the first message is received from one of the remote computers. Upon receiving the second message, a host vehicle component is actuated to output at least one of light or sound associated with the identified attribute.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle, a passenger side rail mounted to a passenger side wall assembly of the cargo bed, and a driver side rail mounted to a driver side wall assembly of the cargo bed. A crossbar is slidably coupled to the passenger and driver side rails. The crossbar is slidable along the passenger and driver side rails between a forward position and a rearward position. The crossbar is closer to a cab of the vehicle when the crossbar is in the forward position than when the crossbar is in the rearward position.

Abstract: While a host vehicle is within an area, a target vehicle is identified based on detecting the target vehicle within the area. Upon determining a component output, first instructions specifying the component output and a target vehicle component are provided to the target vehicle. A host clock for the host vehicle is synchronized with a clock maintained by a remote server computer. Then second instructions specifying to initiate, at a target time, actuation of the target vehicle component to provide the component output are provided to the target vehicle. Then a host vehicle component is actuated at a host time to provide the component output.

Abstract: A charging trailer is provided and includes one or more motors to maneuver the charging trailer, a rechargeable battery pack for storing electrical energy, a recharging port for receiving electrical power from a charger to recharge the rechargeable battery pack, and one or more charging ports for charging one or more pieces of electrically powered equipment with the electrical energy stored in the rechargeable battery pack. The charging trailer also includes a controller for controlling movement of the charging trailer to position the charging trailer in a use position to charge the one or more pieces of electrically powered equipment.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to evaluating loading and unloading times of items in a vehicle. The vehicle may be equipped with an object-sensing mat placed in a cargo area and coupled to a computer configured to execute a timing evaluation module. A first change in weight or pressure is sensed when an item is either placed upon, or removed from, the object-sensing mat. An increase in weight or pressure indicates loading of the item on to the vehicle, and vice-versa. The computer can generate a timing prediction model based on processing sensor signals from the object-sensing mat and determining the amount of time taken for loading or unloading items from the vehicle. In one application, a timing prediction model may be generated for each customer of a goods delivery service and used for optimizing delivery operations.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: Redundant vehicle controls based on user presence and position are disclosed herein. A method can include determining a presence and a position of a driver in a sensing zone of a vehicle using a sensor platform integrated into the vehicle. The sensing zone is associated with a primary driving interface of the vehicle. Determining when the position of the driver indicates that the driver is not in a fully-seated position relative to a driver's seat of the vehicle, and that the vehicle is in a non-seated drive mode where the driver is permitted to operate the vehicle while not being in the fully-seated position. Activating a secondary driving interface of the vehicle when the driver is not in a fully-seated position and the vehicle is in the selected driving mode. The secondary driving interface can be used in combination with the primary driving interface.