Abstract: A method includes detecting a traffic disturbance in a first lane of a road with a plurality of lanes. The traffic disturbance is categorized into a category. Movement characteristics of a plurality of vehicles in the proximity of the traffic disturbance are sensed. A traffic alleviation strategy is developed based on the category of the traffic disturbance and the movement characteristics. At least one traffic command is sent to a processor of at least one vehicle based on the traffic alleviation strategy.

Abstract: One or more presence sensors of a vehicle are used to detect the presence of one or more people outside the vehicle. When the presence of the one or more people outside the vehicle is detected, one or more external microphones of the vehicle are used to capture any speech by people. A speech recognizer of the vehicle is used to determine whether the captured speech includes a verbal request for emergency services. And, upon determining that the captured speech includes the verbal request for emergency services, a network access device of the vehicle is used to automatically request emergency services.

Abstract: A process for disinfecting a vehicle includes identifying an end of operations of the vehicle, dispersing a nebulized disinfectant into the internal compartment, displaying a progress bar such that the progress bar is visible external to the compartment, wherein the progress bar is indicative of a time remaining in the duration of a disinfectant process, and allowing access to the internal compartment at an expiration of the time remaining in the disinfectant process.

Abstract: A handicap accessibility assistance device includes a drone. The drone has a wedge mechanism at a first end. A controller is configured to cause the drone to approach a door, wedge the wedge mechanism under the door, shift the drone to an opening end of the door, and push the door open.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a system and method of controlling vehicle slowing while implementing brake-to-steer functionality that may include providing a feed-forward gain on vehicle propulsion torque to achieve or maintain target longitudinal acceleration and replicate the behavior of a vehicle not using brake-to-steer. The system may manipulate propulsion of the vehicle to manage longitudinal acceleration disturbance and speed disturbance during brake-to-steer.

Abstract: A method for detecting a small hydraulic leak of braking fluid in a vehicle, the vehicle having at least a first braking circuit and a second braking circuit, the method includes determining whether system braking pressure falls within a predetermined range, determining whether leakage exists in the braking circuits, determining whether the vehicle is in secure standstill, monitoring small leakage of a braking circuit while the vehicle is in secure standstill if leakage was detected and the vehicle is in the secure standstill, and isolating at least one of the braking circuits if a leakage exists in one of the braking circuits.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic and communication system and method provides for recognizing a collision event with at least one device associated with a safety system of a vehicle and diagnosing operational capability of vehicle operating systems with an onboard vehicle controller in response to the recognized collision event. The diagnosis provides a determination of a severity of damage to the vehicle operating systems that is used to determine an impact on traffic proximate to the collision and transmit a communication based on the determined impact on traffic to other vehicles and an infrastructure device proximate the collision event.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic and communication system includes a controller with computer executable instructions configured to diagnose operational capability of vehicle operating systems in response to a recognized collision event. The controller is further configured to determine a severity of damage to the vehicle operating systems based on the diagnoses and generate a communication signal based on the determined severity of damage to the vehicle for transmission. The system determines which of a plurality of service providers to send the communication signal based on the severity of damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary method for indexing transceivers uses wireless ranging functionality. The method includes determining a ranging distance between at least one transceiver and each other transceiver in a plurality of transceivers, determining a transceiver spatial distribution based on the ranging distance between at least one transceiver and each other transceiver in the plurality of transceivers, and indexing each transceiver by applying the transceiver spatial distribution to a spatial distribution map using an electronic control unit (ECU).

Abstract: An air spring assembly including sliding joint providing a gaiter sliding upward or downward as a vehicle displaces the air spring assembly. The air sprig assembly includes a damper, a piston connected to the damper, a gaiter surrounding the piston and a portion of the damper, and a dampening ring connected to the gaiter.

Abstract: A disclosed vehicle communication system provides for sharing of live streaming images from the lead vehicle of the roadway forward of a vehicle platoon with all vehicles of the platoon. Sharing of forward looking images with other vehicles within the platoon provides information and a view that is similar to individual operation.

Abstract: A vehicle camera washing system includes a controller configured to control a pump and valve according to a selected mode of operation and a detected blockage of the lens. The selected mode of operation tailors operation of the camera washing system to current vehicle operating conditions to conserve washing fluid.

Abstract: A time synchronizer receives UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) time in serial+PPS (Pulse Per Second) format from a GPS (Global Positioning System) device and outputs timestamp data in multiple formats, including: CAN (Controller Area Network), Ethernet, gPTP (generic Precision Time Protocol), and serial+PPS. Multiple data sources receive timestamp data in the multiple formats and each provide data in a unified UTC time base to a sensor-fusion device. The unified UTC time base is based on the timestamp data in the multiple formats output by the time synchronizer. The time synchronizer may perform edge detection for a first transition of an internal clock signal following a transition of the PPS signal received from the GPS device. The internal clock signal may be asynchronous with the PPS signal received from the GPS device. The internal clock signal may have a frequency of 40 MHz.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system includes a plurality of proactive damping structures mounted on a powertrain structure with each proactive damping structure includes a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE). An electromagnet is associated with each proactive damping structure. A control unit includes a processor circuit. A sensor obtains vibration data regarding the powertrain structure. A LIDAR sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is electrically connected with the control unit. The LIDAR sensor provides data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle. Based on data from at the sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated proactive damping structure so as to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a vehicle in a rearward direction towards a point of interest is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the vehicle. The method includes overlaying a path on the one or more images. In addition, the method includes receiving a command by way of a user interface. The command includes instructions to adjust the path. The method includes adjusting the path based on the received command. The method also includes transmitting a drive command to a drive system supported by the vehicle. The drive command causes the vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the adjusted path in a rearward direction.

Abstract: An operator reaction time calculation system for calculating a reaction time of an operator of a motor vehicle and a method of calculating the reaction time of an operator of the motor vehicle. The operator reaction time may be determined according to detection of a launch signal within an image and measuring a reaction of the operator launching the motor vehicle in response to the launch signal.

Abstract: A system and method of mu estimation may include the steps of collecting vehicle travel data on a road surface via a plurality of a sensors including at least one of an accelerometer or microphone; collecting external source data over a network; and aggregating the vehicle travel data and external source data to form an aggregated data set. The method may include performing feature extraction processing of the aggregated data set to transform the aggregated data set and into a processed aggregated data set; communicating the processed aggregated data set to a machine learning model; and generating at least one of an estimated mu value of the road surface or road surface classification via the machine learning model.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes alight emitter, a light detector, and a controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling launch of a vehicle includes a pressure-providing device constructed and arranged to deliver a pressure medium to wheel brakes of the vehicle. A pressure chamber is fluidly connected with the pressure-providing device and is configured for containing the pressure medium. An electronic control unit has a processor circuit that is constructed and arranged, during a launch mode of the vehicle, to control the pressure-providing device to cause fluid from the wheel brakes to be directed to the pressure chamber so as to release the pressure medium from the wheel brakes, permitting launch of the vehicle.

Abstract: A very high resolution sensor for detecting an angular rotation of a rotating target, the sensor including a first pair of Hall effect sensors and a second pair of Hall effect sensors. A first magnetic flux density differential of the rotating target is generated from the first pair of Hall effect sensors and a second magnetic flux density differential of the rotating target is generated from the second pair of Hall effect sensors. A pulse corresponding to an amount of angular rotation of the rotating target is output based on the second magnetic flux density differential reaching the first magnetic flux density differential.