Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an environment of vehicles. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, a plurality of sensors, and a processor. The plurality of sensors are disposed onboard the vehicle, and is configured to at least facilitate transmitting signals from a vehicle and receiving return signals at the vehicle after the transmitted signals have contacted one or more objects. The processor is disposed onboard the vehicle, and is coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to at least facilitate identifying one or more parameters of the return signals; comparing the one or more parameters with historical data stored in a memory; and determining an environment of the vehicle based at least in part on the comparison of the one or more parameters with the historical data.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a vehicle reservation by a user using a telematics authentication system includes opening a telematics authentication system application in a mobile device. A reservation for a vehicle is created via the telematics authentication system application including selecting the vehicle from multiple identified vehicles and identifying a reservation start date. The reservation is wirelessly submitted to a remotely located server. The server creates and downloads a valid certificate for the reservation to the vehicle. The vehicle sends a secret key to the mobile device after which the telematics authentication system application is closed. On the reservation start date the mobile device and the vehicle are positioned within a predefined wireless connection range and the telematics authentication system application is reopened in the mobile device to permit wireless authentication of the secret key for operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a human machine interface (HMI) display includes: collecting customer location data from a personal communication device and from sensor signals from a sensor mounted on an automobile vehicle as a customer approaches the vehicle; determining if the customer is within one of a first distance range of the vehicle, a second distance range closer to the vehicle than the first distance range, or a third distance range closer than the second distance range; and setting an illumination level of an HMI display of the vehicle based on the distance range, wherein the illumination level is set to: a high brightness if the customer is within the first distance range, a medium brightness less than the high brightness if the customer is within the second distance range; or a low brightness less than the medium brightness if the customer is within the third distance range.

Abstract: A pedal electric cycle (e-bike) includes a road wheel connected to a frame, a crankset imparting a rider torque to the road wheel when a rider manually rotates the crankset, a battery pack having a state of charge (SOC), an electric traction motor, and a controller. In response to motor control signals, the motor imparts an electric-assist (e-assist) torque to the road wheel as a torque multiplier. The controller uses an energy cost function, and in response to input signals including a travel route and a desired e-assist objective, commands the e-assist torque via the motor control signals to augment the rider torque while satisfying the e-assist objective. The level is determined via the energy cost function, with the input signals including the SOC, inclination data describing a grade of each road segment of the route, and an electric model providing the torque multiplier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing occupant feedback are provided. The method includes detecting a trigger word uttered by the occupant, in response to detecting the trigger word, recording speech of the occupant corresponding to an issue and capturing context data corresponding to the issue, transmitting the speech and the context data to be analyzed to address the issue corresponding to the speech and the context data, and receiving information to address the issue and reproducing the information.

Abstract: A system and method of locating a key fob with respect to a vehicle includes: communicating between a plurality of directional sensors used by the vehicle and a key fob via a short-range wireless signal; generating signal data at the plurality of directional sensors or the key fob indicative of one or more attributes of the short-range wireless signal; generating location information based on the one or more attributes by processing the signal data generated by the plurality of directional sensors or the key fob; and determining the location of the key fob relative to the vehicle based on the generated location information.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle communications platform (VCP) operatively disposed in a vehicle and a control device. The control device selects a privacy ON mode or a privacy OFF mode. The privacy ON mode enables the VCP to synchronize a privacy setting of a mobile communications device to a vehicle notification setting, and is triggered when the privacy setting of the device is on, and either at least one passenger is present in the vehicle or a user indicates that the VCP should synchronize the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting. The privacy OFF mode inhibits the VCP from synchronizing the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting, and is triggered when the privacy setting of the device is off, or no passengers are present in the vehicle, or the user indicates that the VCP should not synchronize the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an environment of vehicles. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, a plurality of sensors, and a processor. The plurality of sensors are disposed onboard the vehicle, and is configured to at least facilitate transmitting signals from a vehicle and receiving return signals at the vehicle after the transmitted signals have contacted one or more objects. The processor is disposed onboard the vehicle, and is coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to at least facilitate identifying one or more parameters of the return signals; comparing the one or more parameters with historical data stored in a memory; and determining an environment of the vehicle based at least in part on the comparison of the one or more parameters with the historical data.

Abstract: A multi-slot patch antenna is provided. The multi-slot patch antenna includes a central patch including cut corners; a plurality of strips of varying widths, the plurality of strips surrounding the central patch; and a plurality of slots of varying widths, the plurality of slots being positioned between each of the plurality of strips, wherein one of the plurality of slots is positioned between a first one of the plurality of strips and the central patch.

Abstract: A multi-slot patch antenna is provided. The multi-slot patch antenna includes a central patch including cut corners; a plurality of strips of varying widths, the plurality of strips surrounding the central patch; and a plurality of slots of varying widths, the plurality of slots being positioned between each of the plurality of strips, wherein one of the plurality of slots is positioned between a first one of the plurality of strips and the central patch.

Abstract: Automotive vehicle driving aid includes a computer program with a training module having instructions for providing audio/visual feedback during training route (TR) execution, and dynamically adjusting the TR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver. The program includes a driver aid module, practice module and/or test module. Driver aid module includes instructions for providing feedback during driver aid route (DAR) execution, dynamically adjusting the DAR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver, and providing a notification upon recognizing an object outside a vehicle during DAR execution. Practice module includes instructions for receiving a learning preference input and generating a practice route including the learning preference. Test module includes instructions for disabling feedback systems, assessing a driving maneuver during a test route (TR), and upon completion of TR, providing a driving report.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle communications platform (VCP) operatively disposed in a vehicle and a control device. The control device selects a privacy ON mode or a privacy OFF mode. The privacy ON mode enables the VCP to synchronize a privacy setting of a mobile communications device to a vehicle notification setting, and is triggered when the privacy setting of the device is on, and either at least one passenger is present in the vehicle or a user indicates that the VCP should synchronize the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting. The privacy OFF mode inhibits the VCP from synchronizing the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting, and is triggered when the privacy setting of the device is off, or no passengers are present in the vehicle, or the user indicates that the VCP should not synchronize the privacy setting to the vehicle notification setting.

Abstract: A system and method of locating a key fob with respect to a vehicle includes: communicating between a plurality of directional sensors used by the vehicle and a key fob via a short-range wireless signal; generating signal data at the plurality of directional sensors or the key fob indicative of one or more attributes of the short-range wireless signal; generating location information based on the one or more attributes by processing the signal data generated by the plurality of directional sensors or the key fob; and determining the location of the key fob relative to the vehicle based on the generated location information.

Abstract: Automotive vehicle driving aid includes a computer program with a training module having instructions for providing audio/visual feedback during training route (TR) execution, and dynamically adjusting the TR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver. The program includes a driver aid module, practice module and/or test module. Driver aid module includes instructions for providing feedback during driver aid route (DAR) execution, dynamically adjusting the DAR to enable practice of a maneuver and avoidance of another maneuver, and providing a notification upon recognizing an object outside a vehicle during DAR execution. Practice module includes instructions for receiving a learning preference input and generating a practice route including the learning preference. Test module includes instructions for disabling feedback systems, assessing a driving maneuver during a test route (TR), and upon completion of TR, providing a driving report.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a wireless communication device (or end device), a vehicle having a central module, and a key provisioning server. The key provisioning server is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device and the central module via wireless connections. The central module can establish a wireless connection with the wireless communication device to initiate a current communication session. When the wireless connection is established with the central module, the wireless communication device communicates a request message to request temporary security information (e.g., public key and/or a digital certificate). The key provisioning server can then provide, in response to the request message, the temporary security information to the wireless communication device and/or the central module. The temporary security information can then be used to encrypt communications between the wireless communication device and the central module.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a wireless communication device (or end device), a vehicle having a central module, and a key provisioning server. The key provisioning server is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device and the central module via wireless connections. The central module can establish a wireless connection with the wireless communication device to initiate a current communication session. When the wireless connection is established with the central module, the wireless communication device communicates a request message to request temporary security information (e.g., public key and/or a digital certificate). The key provisioning server can then provide, in response to the request message, the temporary security information to the wireless communication device and/or the central module. The temporary security information can then be used to encrypt communications between the wireless communication device and the central module.