Abstract: An operator configurable radiant heating system is provided for a motor vehicle. That operator configurable radiant heating system includes a plurality of docking points provided at different locations within the motor vehicle and a radiant heating panel configured for docking with any of the docking points of the plurality of docking points. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle, hitch, and articulating trailer include vehicle to vehicle and infrastructure communications and vehicle computing systems, which have a controller coupled to and/or including one or more of a dynamics measurement unit, a transceiver, and a position sensor, among other components. The controller(s) are configured to, in response to detecting positions of trailer corners from the position sensor, generate vehicle and trailer relative orientation and navigation data including location, velocity, and orientation, utilizing vehicle and trailer electronic polyhedrons articulating about a hitch point and representing the combination vehicle and trailer predicted path and envelopes. In response to detected trailer movement relative to the hitch point, the generated articulated polyhedrons are generated with the navigation data, which includes the location, speed, and orientation, which are in turn communicated to nearby vehicles and roadway infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods, devices and apparatuses pertaining to U-turn assistance. The method may include receiving, by a computing device, vehicle information associated with a vehicle from a plurality of sensors that are placed on a plurality of locations of the vehicle and obtaining a length and a width of the vehicle based on the received vehicle information. The computing device may calculate a turning radius of the vehicle, and provide a recommendation for routing the vehicle based at least in part on the turning radius.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle cabin odor detection and amelioration. An example vehicle includes an array of chemical sensors, a spectrograph, and an environmental control system. The example environmental control system generates a spectrum, with the spectrograph, of chemical components of volatilomes in air inside a cabin and classifies the volatilomes based on the spectrum, measurements from the array of chemical sensors, and occupant preferences. Additionally, the environmental control system, when the volatilomes are indicative of an offensive scent, applies a mitigation strategy to affect the composition of the air in the cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle interior system is provided herein. The vehicle interior system includes a seating assembly. The seating assembly includes a seatback that is pivotally coupled to a seat-base, and is operable between a use position and a stowed position. An anchoring feature is disposed vehicle rearward of the seating assembly. A hammock is coupled to the anchoring feature and is configured to extend therefrom and attach to the seating assembly when the seating assembly is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A plurality of prompts, each associated with a road event, are presented on a display upon receiving a first input on an input device. A second input selecting the prompts is received on a second input device. A message is sent with the selected prompts and a location of a vehicle.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising a shell assembly, a base assembly operably coupled to the shell assembly, and a control assembly including a handle. The control assembly comprises a spindle gear positioned within the base assembly, a gear plate disposed in the shell assembly proximate the spindle gear, a locking key configured to simultaneously engage the spindle gear and the gear plate, a locking leaf spring configured to bias the locking key into engagement with the spindle gear and the gear plate, and an actuator configured to withdraw the locking key from engagement with one of the gear plate and spindle gear and subsequently withdraw the locking key from engagement with the other of the gear plate and spindle gear.

Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can determine an occupant type, location and orientation and determine intensity and direction of sunlight. The computing device can tint one or more portions of vehicle windows based on the occupant type, location and orientation and the strength and direction of sunlight.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.

Abstract: Various expandable mirrors and a vehicle having the same are described. An expandable mirror may include a first pane having a first reflective surface and a second pane having a second reflective surface. The expandable mirror may also include a mechanism connected with each of the first and second panes. The mechanism may be actuated to expand a viewing area of the mirror such that the expanded viewing area includes both the first and second reflective surfaces. The expandable mirror may also include a third pane having a third reflective surface that contributes to the viewing area when the mirror is expanded. The expandable mirror may also include a manual button configured to actuate or de-actuate the mechanism when pressed. The expandable mirror may also include a positioning motor configured to adjust the orientation of the viewing area of the mirror.

Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant system.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A vehicle interior system is provided herein. The vehicle interior system includes a seating assembly. The seating assembly includes a seatback that is pivotally coupled to a seat-base, and is operable between a use position and a stowed position. An anchoring feature is disposed vehicle rearward of the seating assembly. A hammock is coupled to the anchoring feature and is configured to extend therefrom and attach to the seating assembly when the seating assembly is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprising a base assembly including an inner base shell and an outer base shell and defining a recess, a shell assembly operably coupled to the base assembly, wherein a bottom of the shell assembly nests within the recess, at least one armrest integrally formed with the shell assembly, and at least one headrest wing integrally formed with the shell assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising a shell assembly, a base assembly operably coupled to the shell assembly, and a control assembly including a handle. The control assembly comprises a spindle gear positioned within the base assembly, a gear plate disposed in the shell assembly proximate the spindle gear, a locking key configured to simultaneously engage the spindle gear and the gear plate, a locking leaf spring configured to bias the locking key into engagement with the spindle gear and the gear plate, and an actuator configured to withdraw the locking key from engagement with one of the gear plate and spindle gear and subsequently withdraw the locking key from engagement with the other of the gear plate and spindle gear.