Abstract: A wheel is provided for a motor vehicle. The wheel includes a hub, a rim and a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. At least one of the spokes includes an integral step having a slip resistant surface.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, and a controller configured to, responsive to a transition from deplete mode to sustain mode during a first drive cycle, maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery within a range defined by a first maximum threshold, and responsive to initiation of a next drive cycle in the sustain mode, maintain the SOC within a range defined by a second maximum threshold greater than the first.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, and a controller configured to, responsive to a transition from deplete mode to sustain mode during a first drive cycle, maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery within a range defined by a first maximum threshold, and responsive to initiation of a next drive cycle in the sustain mode, maintain the SOC within a range defined by a second maximum threshold greater than the first.

Abstract: Information of a plurality of locations on a route for a vehicle is received. A plurality of segments of the route is identified based at least in part on the information. A specified state of charge of a vehicle battery and a specified power output of an engine are determined for each of the segments based at least in part on the information. One or more vehicle subsystems is actuated to navigate each of the segments to change a current state of charge of the vehicle battery to the specified state of charge.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has a steerable outlet for directing a stream of treated air into a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A thermographic imager is configured to capture thermographic images covering a fixed region within the passenger compartment in which an occupant is potentially located. The HVAC control circuit is configured to a) compress a thermographic image to a temperature map representing pixels of the thermographic image falling within a predetermined temperature range corresponding to the occupant, b) filter the temperature map according to a sliding window to coalesce continuous regions of pixels on average falling within the predetermined temperature range, c) quantify an area for each continuous region, d) locate a centroid of a continuous region having a largest area, and e) aim the steerable outlet toward the centroid.

Abstract: An electric vehicle display system may include a battery, an interface configured to present at least one selectable icon configured to control a battery powered vehicle feature, and a controller programmed to, in response to state-of-charge (SOC) data indicating that a trip range exceeds a possible driving range, update the selectable icon to indicate a suggested adjustment to the vehicle feature to decrease power demand of the feature.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an electric machine, a gear set mechanically connected with the electric machine, and a clutch mechanically coupled with at least one of a primary and secondary driveline assembly. The electric machine is configured to selectively provide motive power to at least one of the primary and secondary driveline assemblies. The gear set is configured to permit differential rotation between the primary and secondary driveline assemblies. The clutch is configured to selectively transfer torque between the primary and secondary driveline assemblies.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to determine electric vehicle range based on environmental factors are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a battery pack, a HVAC control module, and an electronic control unit that includes a range calculator. The example range calculator determine a base power load, determines an auxiliary power load based on a sun load, an ambient temperature, a cabin temperature, and a temperature setting, and calculates a range of the vehicle based on the base power load, the auxiliary power load and a charge of the battery pack.

Abstract: Signals are received from a plurality of sources, representing aspects of the vehicle, a vehicle operator, and an environment surrounding the vehicle. An alertness factor and a readiness factor are developed based at least in part on the signals. Control of the vehicle is transitioned between levels of autonomous control based at least in part on the alertness factor and the readiness factor.

Abstract: An example vehicle system includes a sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to identify a first location and a second location. The processing device is programmed to estimate a plurality of energy usages. Each energy usage is based at least in part on a speed of a host vehicle at the first location. The processing device is further programmed to select one of the plurality of energy usages as a target useable energy and control the host vehicle in accordance with the speed associated with the target useable energy.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, monitoring a root mean square (RMS) current of a component for a time window, and adjusting a flow of current relative to a battery such that a slope of the RMS current gradually approaches zero as the RMS current approaches an RMS current limit for the time window.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has a steerable outlet for directing a stream of treated air into a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A thermographic imager is configured to capture thermographic images covering a fixed region within the passenger compartment in which an occupant is potentially located. The HVAC control circuit is configured to a) compress a thermographic image to a temperature map representing pixels of the thermographic image falling within a predetermined temperature range corresponding to the occupant, b) filter the temperature map according to a sliding window to coalesce continuous regions of pixels on average falling within the predetermined temperature range, c) quantify an area for each continuous region, d) locate a centroid of a continuous region having a largest area, and e) aim the steerable outlet toward the centroid.

Abstract: An alternatively powered vehicle includes electrically powered cabin heaters and coolers. An operator sends a signal to his vehicle instructing the vehicle to bring a cabin temperature to a desired temperature. In response, the vehicle determines whether a battery state of charge exceeds a threshold and if so, activates the appropriate cabin heater or cooler to condition cabin air to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A computer in a vehicle can determine a first distance from a vehicle to a traffic object and receive, via a network interface, a second distance from a second vehicle to the traffic object and a third distance from the second vehicle to the vehicle. The computer can determine a fourth distance by triangulation based on the second distance and the third distance and pilot the vehicle based on combining the first distance and the fourth distance.

Abstract: A vehicle interface system may include an interface configured to present selectable features, and a controller programmed to generate a feature probability for each selectable feature based at least in part on at least one historical selection of each selectable feature at a time from vehicle key-on, and display certain of the selectable features based on the generated feature probabilities.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor and storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include detecting a handoff request indicating a transition of a host vehicle from an autonomous mode of operation to a non-autonomous mode of operation and assessing driver competency. The handoff request is approved if the driver competency exceeds a predetermined threshold. Likewise, the handoff request is denied if the driver competency fails to exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a seat belt height adjuster and a sensor configured to determine eye location of a driver of the vehicle. A control module is in communication with the sensor and the seat belt height adjuster. The control module is programmed to adjust a position of the seat belt height adjuster based at least on the eye location.

Abstract: An action probability factor is developed based at least in part on a plurality of probability arrays predicting one or more probabilities of a deviation from at least one of a planned vehicle direction, position, speed, and acceleration. Levels of autonomous control are transitioned based at least in part on the action probability factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle in an electric idle mode are presented. The vehicle electrical idle mode may be characterized as a mode where the vehicle's engine is off; the vehicle increases torque to vehicle wheels responsive to an application of an accelerator pedal, release of a brake pedal, or a vehicle occupant shifting a transmission; and the vehicle's battery supplies electrical energy to devices of the vehicle being operated by a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A system includes a processor programmed to send first and second recommended routes to a wireless device in response receiving a present vehicle location stored when the vehicle was parked and also a received destination and departure time. The first recommended route is based on travel-time factors corresponding to the destination and departure time and specified routing and timing preferences. The second recommended route is based on a calculated alternative departure time using the specified preferences.