Abstract: A vehicle includes a puddle lamp control system configured to control a puddle lamp to display vehicle identification information, passenger information, advertisements, company logos, and other information on a ground surface proximate to the vehicle. The puddle lamp control system may communicate with a central server using high-speed wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Wi-max, or other protocols to select images and animations based on vehicle location and pedestrian activity nearby the vehicle. The system may also activate the vehicle puddle lamps based on vehicle sensor triggers associated with vehicle location, based on population and pedestrian density indicative of potential message viewers indicating when pedestrians are close enough to the vehicle to view the advertisement, and based on ridehail activity such as ridehail user information, and seat assignments. The messages and images may be customized using an interface device onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heaters surrounding at least a portion of the core structure to define a plurality of heating zones, at least one sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the plurality of heaters to activate one or more of the heaters based on the sensed location of the hand.

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 dynamic navigation coach system is programmed to monitor and assist drivers while keeping them engaged en route to the destination. The system may provide driver navigation assistance and training that monitors user navigational skills, driving habits, and environmental factors, and provides dynamically adjustable tools to provide varying levels of navigation assistance in a game play format. The system may selectively provide navigational directions or corrections to the driver when the driver deviates from a scheduled travel route, instead of providing instructions at every driving event.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary portable power systems for vehicles. The portable power systems may be configured as a secondary battery pack that is removably stored within a front trunk of a vehicle. The portable power systems may include a plurality of individually removable battery units that can be used to extend vehicle driving range or power electrically powered devices that are separate from the vehicle. In some embodiments, when the portable power system is stored in the vehicle and an electrically powered device is connected to the portable power system, the vehicle may be controlled in a Following Mode in which the vehicle is autonomously moved to follow an operator of the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to provide an informational report to a wireless device about a vehicle component associated with a BLUETOOTH low energy (BTLE) chip, affixed to a vehicle, when the wireless device is determined to be within a predefined proximity to the BTLE chip. This can include information such as operational and wear status, but also can be purely explanatory, as to what the function of the component is.

Abstract: Virtual soothing in a transportation vehicle is described, in which soothing a passenger in a vehicle may involve receiving monitoring data relevant to the passenger from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle, determining a soothing need or an emergency condition of the passenger based on the monitoring data, and presenting a multimedia message to the passenger that addresses the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may be specific to the passenger and relevant to the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may exhibit characteristics that enable the passenger to perceive the multimedia message as being verbally generated by a guardian with whom the passenger is personally acquainted.

Abstract: An object is identified within a specified distance from a vehicle. The object is assigned a position in the vehicle and the object is detected in the position. Upon detecting the object in the position, a vehicle component is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle body member and at least one badge that identifies at least one service provider. The badge comprises an applique that is mounted to the vehicle body member. A control activates and deactivates illumination of the badge based on at least one of a driver or user input. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, mounting at least one badge to a vehicle body member, the badge comprising an applique that includes one or more identification logos, and illuminating at least one identification logo based on at least one of a driver or user input.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to provide an informational report to a wireless device about a vehicle component associated with a BLUETOOTH low energy (BTLE) chip, affixed to a vehicle, when the wireless device is determined to be within a predefined proximity to the BTLE chip. This can include information such as operational and wear status, but also can be purely explanatory, as to what the function of the component is.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor assembly is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first compliant dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller processing signals associated with the first and second electrodes and selectively reconfiguring operation of the first and second electrodes in different proximity sensor arrangements to provide a plurality of capacitive sensors. The capacitive proximity assembly may be selectively reconfigured into up to four capacitive sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle floor assembly includes a floor structure and a capacitive proximity sensor assembly configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command. The floor assembly further includes a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling a vehicle related operation based on the detected user input commands.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat base, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat base and having a front portion and a rear portion, and an actuator operable to change a position of the seating assembly. The assembly also includes a capacitive proximity sensor located on the seat back and configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command, and a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling the actuator to change a position of the seating assembly based on a user input.

Abstract: An advance pairing system preemptively pairs a phone to a vehicle using a backend cloud system prior to establishing the connection with the vehicle, such as during the time that a user is purchasing a vehicle, or just after the user enters the vehicle for the first time. The system includes a mobile application for automated advance pairing with the vehicle's automotive computer. The mobile app sends a request for advance pairing to a server that assigns a set of unique keys to the account for secure pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle. The server pushes an encrypted payload to both the mobile device app and the vehicle advance pairing app operating on the automotive computer. The encrypted payload can include a unique vehicle ID, a unique mobile device ID, and one or more encryption keys. The mobile device and the vehicle use the encrypted advance pairing information to establish a secured connection with minimal user input.

Abstract: A roof panel storage system for vehicle is disclosed herein. A storage bag is configured to hold a roof panel of the vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to sense a position of the storage bag. A sound source device is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to issue an auditory alert based on the sensed position of the storage bag.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a bumper assembly, a skid plate, and a capacitive sensor system of the skid plate. A sensing method for a vehicle includes using a capacitive sensing system to detect a proximity of a vehicle to an object. The capacitive sensing system is incorporated into a skid plate that is vertically beneath a portion of a bumper assembly of the vehicle.

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: A vehicle includes a puddle lamp control system configured to control a puddle lamp to display vehicle identification information, passenger information, advertisements, company logos, and other information on a ground surface proximate to the vehicle. The puddle lamp control system may communicate with a central server using high-speed wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Wi-max, or other protocols to select images and animations based on vehicle location and pedestrian activity nearby the vehicle. The system may also activate the vehicle puddle lamps based on vehicle sensor triggers associated with vehicle location, based on population and pedestrian density indicative of potential message viewers indicating when pedestrians are close enough to the vehicle to view the advertisement, and based on ridehail activity such as ridehail user information, and seat assignments. The messages and images may be customized using an interface device onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a personal device in communication with a vehicle component and an on-board server and including a processor programmed to receive, from the component, an advertisement defining a low-footprint interface template and a unique identifier indicative of a corresponding rich content interface template, send, to the server, a request including the identifier to provide the corresponding template, and, upon receipt of the corresponding template, render a rich content user interface based on the corresponding template.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of an autonomous vehicle (AV) and determine that the first capacitive signal exceeds a threshold value. The AV controller may be configured to determine water levels using a capacitive sensor system, and perform mitigating actions that cause the vehicle to either clean soiled capacitive sensors, or move the vehicle to a location that mitigates the risk of vehicle damage. Other mitigating actions may be performed as well, including disabling or powering down critical vehicle components when the vehicle cannot be moved to another location, providing means for emergency vehicle exit, and sending warning messages to the fleet control server, to occupants of the AV, or to other emergency personnel.