Abstract: An assembly includes a front console having a panel. The assembly includes a torsion bar fixed relative to the front console. The assembly includes a gear fixed to the torsion bar. The assembly includes a rack including teeth meshed with the gear, the rack extending toward the panel.

Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes a housing structured to be mounted on the mobile platform, and a ramp member coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing. At least one airbag is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to be inflatable to move the ramp member from a retracted position to an extended position in which the ramp member defines a ramp structured to guide a wheel of a subject vehicle onto an exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: Described herein are various systems and processes for predictive operating assistance of vehicles. The systems and techniques described herein may be applicable to vehicles such as vehicles operated by a driver, semi-autonomous vehicles, and/or autonomous vehicles. The assistance techniques described herein may be predictive. That is, the techniques allow for the prediction of non-optimal or dangerous operating conditions before the vehicle control is compromised. Accordingly, a warning may be provided and/or operation of the vehicle may be changed based on the predictive assistance determinations. In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein may provide warnings to a driver, may detect faults within the vehicle, may aid in route planning, may detect obstacles proximate to the vehicle, and/or may aid in the operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include an adjustable exterior vehicle component configured to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle, a vehicle frame component configured to couple to the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an actuator component configured to adjust a physical configuration of the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an external communication component configured to collect driving environment data representing an external environment of the vehicle, and one or more processors configured to receive driving environment data and detect, by processing the driving environment data, an external driving condition. When the one or more processors detect the external driving condition, the one or more processors may cause the actuator component to adjust the adjustable exterior vehicle component to a specific physical configuration.

Abstract: The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer readable medium with computer-executable instructions for recording information relating to an accident. In one exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, once an accident is detected, a storage file is created, and information relating to the accident is stored in the storage file. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, an insurance company may process a claim by receiving a notification that an accident has occurred, transmitting a request to record information relating to the accident, receiving the information, establishing an accident record, and processing an insurance claim. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, an accident is detected, primary accident information is transmitted from a first recording device, a communication link is established between the first recording device and a second recording device, and a request is transmitted to the second recording device to transmit secondary accident information.

Abstract: An occupant detection device of an embodiment includes, for example: an acquirer that acquires captured image data output from an image capturer capturing a seat and distance data indicating a distance to an occupant present in a direction of the seat; a seat specifier that specifies a position of a surface of the seat; a trunk surface specifier that specifies a position of a surface representing a trunk of the occupant based on the captured image data and the distance data; and a calculator that calculates a volume of the trunk of the occupant present between the seat and the image capturer based on the position of the surface representing the trunk and the position of the surface of the seat.

Abstract: A seat is configured to suitably restrain a warping of a connecting portion in a signal transmission path, when the connecting portion is disposed inside a through hole provided in a pad member of the seat. The seat includes: a pressure sensor that detects a seating pressure of a seat occupant; a leading wire of the transmission path that extends from the pressure sensor; a cable of the transmission path that extends from an electronic control unit for a signal output from the pressure sensor; a warp restraining member that restrains a warping of a connecting portion of the leading wire and the cable; and a through hole formed in a pad member of the seat, from one end to another end in the thickness direction of the pad member. The warp restraining member is inserted into the through hole to thereby pass the transmission path through the through hole.

Abstract: An alert system to assist in child safety in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle insert adapted to be inserted between the male and female parts of a standard safety belt found in most automobiles or for a child car safety seat. It may also include a portable receiver device designed to be carried by a vehicle operator. The seat belt buckle insert detects whether the seat belt has been buckled and the temperature is within an acceptable range, as well as the approximate distance between the seat belt buckle insert and portable receiver device. The seat belt buckle transmits information gathered to the portable receiver device and triggers alerts notifying the vehicle operator of a child's safety status.

Abstract: A system for acquiring information from an environment, comprising: a light source for generating at least one beam; a first optical setup for converting the at least one beam into a distorted light pattern projectable onto an environment; and a second optical setup for converting an original view returned from the environment and comprising the distorted light pattern deformed by at least one surface of the environment into a corrected image comprising a corrected pattern.

Abstract: An environment information acquisition unit acquires an image in which environment around a vehicle has been imaged, information indicating a contact with the vehicle or an impact on the vehicle, surround sounds, approach identification information for enabling an approach of an emergency vehicle to be identified, and the like as surrounding environment information of the vehicle. A vehicle control processing unit recognizes predetermined external stimulation information included in the surrounding environment information, for example, a specific signal or a movement with a specific pattern, a contact to a specific part, and a specific sound. The vehicle control processing unit uses the recognized predetermined external stimulation information as a vehicle brake instruction from outside and starts a vehicle braking sequence to stop the vehicle. Even if an abnormality occurs in an automatically driven vehicle and the like, vehicle brake control is easily applied to a traveling vehicle from outside.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device with memory configured to store instructions and a processor to execute the instructions for operations that include receiving data representative of one or more operational parameters from a vehicle. Operations also include assigning a score to one or more of the received operational parameters. Operations also include determining if one or more predefined event has occurred based on the score assigned to the one or more received operational parameters of the vehicle. If at least one event is determined to occurred, operations include transmitting data representing the one or more operational parameters to a vehicle information service provider located external from the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-direction power actuated head restraint assembly includes a head restraint mountable to a vehicle seat. The head restraint assembly also includes a fore-aft power actuation mechanism including a fore-aft electric motor to adjust a fore-aft position of the head restraint, the fore-aft electric motor programmed to adjust the fore-aft position at a first fore-aft speed during manual adjustment of the head restraint and at a second fore-aft speed upon detection of an imminent impact by an impact detection system, the second fore-aft speed greater than the first fore-aft speed.

Abstract: An intent communication system includes one or more sensors, a controller-circuit, and a broadcast device. The sensors may include one or more of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a computer vision system. The controller-circuit is disposed in a host vehicle. The controller-circuit is configured to determine, based one or more signals from the one or more sensors, an impending vehicle maneuver. The broadcast device is located in the host vehicle, and is configured to broadcast a broadcast signal containing information directed to the impending vehicle maneuver to at least one vehicle determined to be in a vicinity of the impending vehicle maneuver.

Abstract: A driving system for a first vehicle, comprising one or more sensors configured to obtain proximity data for two or more vehicles proximate the first vehicle, and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors and programmed to classify the two or more proximate vehicles as a cluster in response to a heading angle of the two or more proximate vehicles being within a threshold-angle tolerance and a distance between each of the two or more proximal vehicles being within a threshold-distance tolerance based on the proximity data, to classify each of the two or more proximate vehicles in the cluster as either a trigger vehicle being closest to the first vehicle or a non-trigger vehicle, and activate a driver assistance function in response to a determination that the trigger vehicle is in an estimated-driving path of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A lighting control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to connect with or communicate with at least one light of the vehicle. The controller, responsive to at least one input, adjusts a color of the at least one light of the vehicle and an intensity of the at least one light of the vehicle. The input may include one or more of (i) a driver attentiveness input and (ii) a driver age input, and optionally a time of day input, an ambient light input, a weather condition input, and/or a navigation input.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to objects in a vehicle's environment. For example, an object may be identified in a vehicle's environment, the object having a heading and location. A set of possible actions for the object may be generated using map information describing the vehicle's environment and the heading and location of the object. A set of possible future trajectories of the object may be generated based on the set of possible actions. A likelihood value of each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories may be determined based on contextual information including a status of the detected object. A final future trajectory is determined based on the determined likelihood value for each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories. The vehicle is then maneuvered in order to avoid the final future trajectory and the object.

Abstract: Implementations of a child safety system is provided. Implementations of a child safety system comprises portable transmitter configured to transmits a wireless signal compatible with Bluetooth technology and a portable computing device configured to receive the wireless signal and compute a distance between the portable computing device and the transmitter based on the signal strength of the wireless signal received. The portable computing device further is configured to sound an alarm on the portable computing device once the distance between the portable computing device and the portable transmitter equals or exceeds a preset distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus pertaining to an intelligent vehicle access point opening system are provided. A method may involve detecting a presence of an object in a vicinity of a cover of an access point of a vehicle. The method may also involve receiving a command to open the cover and activating a mechanism to open the cover responsive to receiving the command. The method may further involve determining whether the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened. The method may additionally involve pausing opening of the cover responsive to a determination that the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened.

Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump and a protector are coupled to an outer side of an engine body of an internal combustion engine. A wall plate surrounds the high-pressure fuel pump to protect the high-pressure fuel pump. A cover of the high-pressure fuel pump has a flange. The engine body has a mounting surface. The bottom plate and the flange are fastened to the mounting surface by a bolt with the bottom plate held between the flange and the mounting surface.

Abstract: A sensor device may detect that a vehicle is running in an enclosed environment monitored by the sensor device based on one or more artificial intelligence algorithms and detect that the vehicle is emitting exhaust into the enclosed environment based on the artificial intelligence algorithms. To ventilate the exhaust, the sensor device generates a first command that causes a door in the enclosed environment to open based on detecting that the vehicle is emitting the exhaust into the enclosed environment. Furthermore, to stop the vehicle from running and/or emitting the exhaust into the enclosed environment, the sensor device may generate a second command that causes an ignition switch on the vehicle to disengage. The sensor device transmits the first command and the second command to one or more devices for execution such that the exhaust is ventilated from the enclosed environment and the ignition switch on the vehicle is disengaged.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing device for vehicles includes a supporting bar, and a gas generator and an airbag arranged on the supporting bar. The airbag includes an inflatable body with a first laminated foil wrapped longitudinally around the inflatable body and a second laminated foil wrapped transversely around the inflatable body. The first and second laminated foils are initially wrapped around the inflatable body in a temporary inflated state of the inflatable body so as to have a length in the respective longitudinal and transverse directions corresponding to the inflatable body in an activated state of the shock-absorbing device.

Abstract: A child safety seat accident detection system that has a device such as an accelerometer for determining an acceleration of the seat, and a processor, operably connected to the device for determining an acceleration of the seat, and that is configured to judge, based at least on the determined acceleration, if the seat has been in a motor vehicle accident.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fuel storage and transportation are provided. A support assembly for supporting a plurality of fuel containers may comprise a plurality of end support members, and a plurality of side support members that are detachably coupled to the plurality of end support members. The plurality of fuel containers may be configured to be located on a plurality of different planes when supported by the support assembly, in a manner that permits the support assembly to accommodate a plurality of tailgates of different shapes and/or dimensions.

Abstract: A managing apparatus for positioning rental vehicles includes a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the managing apparatus to access model information and location information for a plurality of autonomous vehicles, receive a request including a delivery location and a chosen model for renting, select an autonomous vehicle of the chosen model from among the plurality of autonomous vehicles based on the model information, the location information, and the delivery location, instruct the selected autonomous vehicle to fully-autonomously or semi-autonomously travel to the delivery location, and instruct the selected autonomous vehicle to switch to manual operation mode at the delivery location for manual operation by a vehicle rental customer.

Abstract: APC systems and methods using vehicle mass to assess boardings and alightings of passengers on transit vehicles (e.g., buses). Vehicle mass is determined based on signaled information indicative of a pressure in one or more air bag circuits of an air ride suspension system of the vehicle. In some embodiments, pressure information from three air bag circuits of the vehicle are monitored and reviewed to determine vehicle mass. The passenger count can be estimated based on determined vehicle mass by an Additional Mass Method or an Event-Based Method for example.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided, which includes an operating amount detector configured to detect an operating amount by an operator, of an operation mechanism comprising at least one of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, a speed detector configured to detect a vehicle traveling speed, a reaction-force generator configured to generate a reaction force of the pedal, and a controller. The controller includes a processor to execute an acceleration calculating module to calculate an acceleration based on the traveling speed and the operating amount, a rigidity characteristic setting module to set the reaction force so that a rigidity value that is a ratio of the reaction force to the operating amount increases as the acceleration increases, and a reaction-force control module to control the reaction-force generator so that the reaction force generated by the reaction-force generator becomes the reaction-force value set by the rigidity characteristic setting module.

Abstract: A vehicle control device and a vehicle control method are configured: to perform passing vehicle determination to determine whether another vehicle is a passing vehicle, based on position data included in first communication data received from the other vehicle and also position data of an own-vehicle; to transmit second communication data including a result of the passing vehicle determination and the position data of the own-vehicle; and to perform oncoming vehicle determination to determine whether the other vehicle is an oncoming vehicle, based on the position data included in the second communication data received from the other vehicle and the position data of an own-vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters can selectively engage the arm assembly based on at least one of a seat position, position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground surface. The arm limiters can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for opening a door or flap, comprising a movably supported inertial mass (7, 9) for avoiding unintentional opening of the door or flap in the event that a specified acceleration is exceeded. Levers are provided for moving the inertial mass (7, 9). When the inertial mass (7, 9) is moved out of an initial position of the inertial mass, the lever ratios change in such a way that the force progression is thereby promoted. In the event of a crash, the opening of a door or flap is avoided by means of the actuating device. The actuating device can nevertheless be actuated relatively comfortably with low expenditure of energy.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including an electric control unit including a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to generate an action plan of the self-driving vehicle and control a drive power source and a transmission so that a self-driving vehicle travels by self-driving in accordance with the action plan. The action plan includes a target vehicle speed after continuously increasing or decreasing beyond a unit time and a target time from a present time to a time when the target vehicle speed is achieved, and the microprocessor is configured to control the drive power source and the transmission so that the self-driving vehicle travels at a target vehicle acceleration set based on the target time and a vehicle speed change amount from the vehicle speed at the present time to the target vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method for operating an airbag carrier is provided herein. The method includes the steps of moving carrier containing an airbag along a guide-channel of a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position, and deploying the airbag into an occupant space of the seating assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A passenger seat system for a means of transport has a carrier structure which can be attached, fixedly with respect to a structure, and a seat having a seat frame being displaceable and arrestable on the carrier structure, a bottom side lying on the carrier structure, and a top side holding a seat surface. The seat frame has an arresting device on the bottom side and has an operating unit coupled to the arresting device. The operating unit is movable into an arresting position and an unlocking position. The arresting device has an arresting body movable perpendicularly with respect to the carrier structure and which can be moved into an engagement position and a release position. An arresting mechanism mechanically directly couples the arresting device to the operating unit such that the position of the arresting body is determined exclusively by the position of the operating unit.

Abstract: An information provision device (60) includes: an emotion engine (66) which estimates an emotion of a test driver P1 of a vehicle (1); an action detection unit (65) which detects an action performed on the vehicle (1) by the test driver P1; a function-of-interest estimation unit (67) which estimates a specific function that interests the test driver P1 from among the functions possessed by the vehicle (1) based on the action of the test driver P1 detected by the action detection unit (65) and the emotion of the test driver P1 estimated by the emotion engine (66) when an action is detected; and an information provision unit (69) which provides the test driver P1 with information on the specific function.

Abstract: A vehicular airborne particulate detection system in one embodiment includes a particulate matter concentration sensor positioned in a passenger space of a vehicle. The particulate matter concentration sensor generates a signal associated with an airborne particulate matter concentration in the passenger space which is analyzed by a controller to identify a cyclical particulate matter concentration pattern which is classified as a smoking event. The controller then generates an output using a user interface based upon the classified smoking event.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods implemented in algorithms, software, firmware, logic, or circuitry may be configured to process data and sensory input in real-time to determine whether an object external to an autonomous vehicle may be a potential collision threat to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may be configured to deploy one or more bladders positioned external to the autonomous vehicle to absorb forces from an impact to the vehicle by the object. A perception system of the vehicle may receive a sensor signal and generate object data associated with the object. A planner system of the vehicle may process the object data to predict an impact time and an impact location on the vehicle. The planner system may cause a drive system of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle to position an impact-absorbing structure and/or one or more bladders of the vehicle to coincide with the predicted impact location.

Abstract: A bearing temperature sensor system is a temperature monitoring system for wheel hub bearings with data from the system capable of being transmitted to a portable electronic device for subsequent analysis. The system has a plurality of temperature monitoring sensors disposed adjacent non-rotating sections of axle assemblies which wirelessly transmit temperature data to a computer controller system located upon the vehicle being monitored.

Abstract: A method and electronic control unit having a functional module are provided for controlling the auto-hold function and the parking brake function in a motor vehicle, by use of a single common operating element. When the parking brake function is switched on at a standstill, the auto-hold function is simultaneously activated. When the accelerator pedal is actuated, a switched-on parking brake function is automatically switched off without the actuation of the operating element, wherein the auto-hold function remains activated. In addition, when switching off the parking brake function at a standstill, the auto-hold function is also deactivated via the actuation of the operating element.

Abstract: A vehicle perimeter alert system and, more particularly, to a vehicle perimeter alert system which is capable of detecting, using a plurality of proximity sensors such as infrared sensors or radar sensors and a display unit, the approach of any unauthorized person to a vehicle, is disclosed. Video cameras may be associated with one or more of the proximity sensors to provide a visual image display to the user of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a pedestrian collision accident, a system having the same, and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a pedestrian sensing unit that senses a pedestrian moving into a dangerous area and calculates velocity and direction information of the pedestrian. A communication unit transmits the velocity and direction information of the pedestrian to a surrounding vehicle. A time-to-collision (TTC) calculating unit calculates a TTC using velocity and direction information of a subject vehicle and second velocity and direction information of the pedestrian, when the TTC calculating unit receives the second velocity and direction information of the pedestrian from another vehicle. A controller outputs based on the TTC a warning to a driver of the subject vehicle or the pedestrian.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion for a vehicle that includes a seat cushion support structure, and a lattice-structured support that is supported by the seat cushion support structure. The lattice-structured support provides a first resistive force in response to a vertically applied force that is less than a second resistive force in response to a force aligned with an H-point travel path of the vehicle occupant during a vehicle impact event.

Abstract: A safety exit assist system and a method therefor are provided. The system includes a plurality of child lock latches configured to be respectively located in left and right doors of a vehicle and execute child lock or child lock release and a controller configured to control the plurality of child lock latches and instruct the plurality of child lock latches to execute the child lock if receiving a proximity warning signal relative to a rear of the vehicle from a blind spot detection (BSD) device.

Abstract: A pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pedal arm pivotably arranged about a rotation shaft at its first end when in an operating position. A bracket is rotatably arranged around the rotation shaft and connected to the first end of the pedal arm through a pedal connection shaft. A locking arrangement, when in a locked state, locks the bracket in a first bracket position relative the pedal arm such that the bracket rotates with the pedal arm, and the pedal arm is held in an operating position. When the locking arrangement changes from the locked state to an unlocked state, the bracket is unlocked from the pedal arm such that, under influence of gravity, the pedal arm is released from the rotation shaft and displaced from the operating position to a safety position, the first end of the pedal arm being connected to the rotation shaft via the pedal connection shaft and the bracket, and the bracket rotated relative the pedal arm to a second bracket position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters that can selectively engage the arm assembly dependent on the position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground and can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.

Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The vehicle occupant detection device includes a sensor unit disposed in a vehicle to detect biometric information of an occupant located in a front seat of the vehicle and a rear seat of the vehicle, a control unit analyzing the biometric information measured by the sensor unit, and an output unit outputting a warning message on the basis of the information analyzed by the control unit, wherein the control unit determines that the occupant located in the rear seat is in a dangerous state when the biometric information is not detected in the front seat but detected in the rear seat.

Abstract: A door locking device for preventing a door from opening during a side collision comprises a base having one surface provided with an outside lever and another surface provided with a door latch to extend from the outside lever to contact an extending part which has a guide part extended through the base to be horizontal with the extending part. An inner side part of the guide part has a plurality of long grooves and a plurality of short grooves which are horizontal with the extending part. A rotator is inserted into the guide part and has a plurality of long ribs and a plurality of short ribs. A cap-shaped button has a bottom surface in contact with the plurality of long ribs. A blocking lever is linked to en upper end of the button and pivotably mounted in the base.

Abstract: A driving advice apparatus includes: an operation determiner; and an advice generator. The operation determiner uses a difference between an emotion of a driver and an emotion of a passenger to determine a specific driving operation of the driver. The advice generator generates an advice for the driver about the specific driving operation on a basis of a difference between a driving feature of the driver and a driving feature of the passenger.

Abstract: A method of image processing is provided. The method may include: determining a candidate tuple from at least two images that are taken at different times, wherein the candidate tuples are determined using at least odometry sensor information. The couple of subsequent images have been detected by a moving image sensor moved by a vehicle. The odometry sensor information is detected by a sensor moved by the vehicle. The method may further include classifying the candidate tuples into a static tuple or a dynamic tuple. The static tuple represents a static object within the couple of subsequent images, and the dynamic tuple represents a moving object within the couple of subsequent images.