Abstract: A load ramp for a vehicle includes a corrugated layer that has a first surface and a second surface. A first layer is positioned adjacent to the first surface of the corrugated layer. A second layer is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the corrugated layer such that the corrugated layer is positioned between the first and second layers, A thickness of the load ramp can be in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm. A load capacity of the load ramp can be at least about 100 kg, A method of manufacturing the load ramp is also disclosed.

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 computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data of an occupant of a vehicle, identify a type of mask worn by the occupant based on the sensor data, select a sound filter according to the type of mask from a plurality of sound filters stored in the memory, receive sound data, apply the selected sound filter to the sound data, and perform an operation using the filtered sound data.

Abstract: A pet restraint system for a vehicle is provided. The pet restraint system includes a leash configured to connect to a restraint device on a pet, a wearable device comprising one of a collar and a harness configured to be worn on the pet and connected to the leash, a retractor device coupled to the leash and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle, a sensor for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the retractor to retract or lock the leash based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an aperture defined by the body, a closure panel, and a load sensor. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers at least a portion of the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. The load sensor is coupled to the closure panel. The load sensor senses a load that is applied to the closure panel.

Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a position of a head of an occupant within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The instructions include instructions to conduct a hearing test based on the position of the head of the occupant. The instructions include instructions to output sound at least at one of a specified frequency or amplitude, the specified frequency or amplitude selected based on results of the hearing test.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data of an occupant of a vehicle, identify a type of mask worn by the occupant based on the sensor data, select a sound filter according to the type of mask from a plurality of sound filters stored in the memory, receive sound data, apply the selected sound filter to the sound data, and perform an operation using the filtered sound data.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rotatable rim comprising a core structure, a steering angle sensor sensing an angle of rotation of the rim, and a plurality of proximity sensors located on the rim and spaced apart from one another along an arc length. The vehicle steering wheel also includes a controller processing sensed outputs generated by each of the plurality of proximity sensors and determining operator input commands based on the sensed outputs. The controller assigns a function to each of the proximity sensors that changes as the rim is rotated at an angle such that a given function associated with a proximity sensor remains at the same position in space.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an aperture. A closure panel is coupled to the body and is movable between open and closed positions. The closure panel covers the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. A support member has first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the body. The second end is coupled to the closure panel. The support member is operable between compressed and extended positions. The extended position corresponds with the open position. A panel assembly is coupled to an interior surface of the closure panel. The panel assembly includes a first, second, and third panels. The first and second panels are rotatably coupled to a mounting structure. The third panel is slidably coupled to the mounting structure. The first, second, and third panels are each movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and include a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an occupant in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, detect a position of a head of the occupant relative to the passenger cabin, apply a first filter to speech from the occupant based on the position of the head, generate a second filter, apply the second filter to the speech, adjust the second filter based on a difference between the speech of the occupant filtered by the second filter and a prestored profile of the occupant, and perform an operation using the speech filtered by the first filter and the second filter.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode of a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured by roll to roll printing a conductive layer onto a polymer layer and forming a mutual capacitance sensor layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a foam dielectric layer and forming a coextruded layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, and pressure rolling the mutual capacitance sensor layer and the coextruded layer together and forming the multi-layer electrode. The conductive polymer layer includes between about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % graphene and between about 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the carbon nanotubes. Also, the conductive polymer layer has a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 5,000 MPa and an electrical resistivity less than or equal to 10 Ohm/mm3, and the polymer layer and/or the conductive polymer layer is formed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A pet bowl is provided that comprises a housing defining a water container, a proximity sensor located proximate to the water container, the proximity sensor having conductive circuitry comprising a first circuit made of a first metal and a second circuit made of a dissimilar second metal, and a controller processing signals received from the proximity sensor, the controller selectively switching the conductive circuitry between a first configuration operating as the proximity sensor to sense water contained in the container and a second configuration operating as a thermocouple to sense temperature proximate to the water container.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body, a plurality of RF signal receivers located at a plurality of locations within the vehicle, a portable pet bowl configured to be transported in the vehicle body, the pet bowl including a container for holding content such as water, an RF signal transmitter located on the pet bowl for transmitting an RF signal, and a controller for processing the RF signal received by each of the plurality of RF signal receivers and determining a location of the pet bowl based on the received RF signals.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a sensor system of a bumper or a skid plate. The sensor system includes a plurality of first sensors and at least one second sensor. The sensor system emits a first electrical field from each of the first sensors when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is inactive. The sensor system emits a second electrical field when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is active. The first electrical field projects a first distance from the skid plate. The second electrical field projects a longer, second distance from the skid plate.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including for monitoring and remotely controlling a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The remote vehicle control system determines a control input to control a vehicle based on an action performed on or with a controller bot. The controller bot is configured for use on a horizontal display that displays a map and a vehicle graphic at a location on the map.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that uses a window as a keypad entry system that functions as a replacement for a keyless entry keypad in a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle window functional as a keypad using piezoelectric transducers that capture resonance from the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., generated by voice commands or taps) impact the glass. A transducer controller amplifies the vibrations from the vehicle window user tap or spoken commands and triangulates the signal to localize a position of the origination point of the tap, which may be mapped to a respective numeric or cardinal input value. The system may include a low power mode that receives input while the vehicle is off.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that uses a window as a microphone as a replacement for keyless entry to a vehicle. The system includes a window which acts as a microphone using a piezoelectric transducer that captures resonance on an outside surface of the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., voice commands or taps) impact it. To recognize this sound, a transducer controller amplifies vibrations from the window tap or spoken commands. The system may include a low-power mode that listens for input while the vehicle is off. In a second, high-power mode, the system may detect a tapping event, which may prompt a transition to a wake-up state. The system may associate a number and timing of taps with unique user keys, similar to key selections of numbers on a keypad. The system may also recognize verbal PIN code input using the piezoelectric transducer microphone.

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 steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heating zones surrounding at least a portion of the core structure, each heating zone having conductive circuitry to define a heater and a capacitive sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the conductive circuitry in each heating zone to operate as the capacitive sensor to sense a presence of the user's hand in at least one heating zone and to switch to operate as the heater to heat the at least one heating zone when the hand is sensed in the at least one heating zone.