Abstract: A method includes mounting a vehicle component to a base member of a vehicle, capturing a baseline image of a fiducial marker, capturing a subsequent image of the fiducial marker, comparing the subsequent image to the baseline image, and adjusting operation of the vehicle component in response to the identification of differences between the baseline image and the subsequent image.

Abstract: Ghost Object Identification For Automobile Radar Tracking A method of classifying an object detected by a radar device (R) includes identifying two dynamic objects (O) and one stationary object from sensor data detected by at least one sensor; determining a plurality of confidences based on a comparison of the separation distance between each object and a range of each object to the sensor. The method also determining a highest confidence value among them; comparing the highest confidence to a p re-defined threshold; and increasing a corresponding ghost probability, when the highest confidence value is higher than a predetermined threshold or decreasing the corresponding ghost probability, when the highest confidence value is not higher than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for calibrating extrinsic parameters (182) of a trailer camera (132d, 132e, 132f) supported by a trailer (106) attached to a tow vehicle (102). The method includes determining a three-dimensional feature map (162) from one or more vehicle images (133) received from a camera (132a, 132b, 132c) supported by the tow vehicle and identifying reference points (163) within the three-dimensional feature map. The method includes detecting the reference points within one or more trailer images received from the trailer camera after the vehicle and the trailer moved a predefined distance in the forward direction. The method also includes determining a trailer camera location (172) of the trailer camera (132d, 132e, 132f) relative to the three-dimensional feature map (162) and determining a trailer reference point (184) based on the trailer camera location. The method also includes determining extrinsic parameters (182) of the trailer camera relative to the trailer reference point.

Abstract: A dynamic adaptive cruise control method for a first vehicle includes a controller disposed within the first vehicle identifying a second vehicle in a direction of travel of the first vehicle. The controller determines a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The controller determines a safe travel distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based at least in part on a set of primary factors and a set of secondary factors. The controller modifies a cruise speed of the first vehicle to maintain at least the determined safe travel distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of reversing a trailer along a defined path according to a disclosed exemplary embodiment includes, among other possible things, detecting a deviation from a predefined path of a trailer coupled to a tow vehicle with a sensor system disposed within the tow vehicle, determining a correction path required to move the trailer back to the predefined path, determining a dampening factor for limiting deviation from the predefined path, combining the determined correction path and the dampening factor to determine a desired curvature, wherein the desired curvature represents a path from a current position of the trailer to the predefined path, and determining a steering angle of the tow vehicle that provides the desired curvature.

Abstract: A method includes calculating, at a data processing hardware, a relative angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer attached to the tow vehicle. An absolute angle of the tow vehicle is determined at the data processing hardware. An absolute angle of the trailer based on the relative angle and the absolute angle of the tow vehicle is calculated at the data processing hardware. A dimension of the trailer is determined at the data processing hardware. A trailer leveling adjustment based on the absolute angle of the trailer and the dimension of the trailer is calculated at the data processing hardware.

Abstract: A vehicle and ladar sensor assembly system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to identify potential collisions with the vehicle. A low cost assembly is developed which can be easily mounted within a body panel cutout of a vehicle, and which connects to the vehicle electrical and computer systems through the vehicle wiring harness. The vehicle has a digital processor which interprets 3D data received from the ladar sensor assembly, and which is in control of the vehicle subsystems for steering, braking, acceleration, and suspension. The digital processor onboard the vehicle makes use of the 3D data and the vehicle control subsystems to avoid collisions and steer a best path.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light detector having a field of view, a beam-steering device, and a light emitter aimed at the beam-steering device. The beam-steering device is aimed to emit light from the light emitter into a field of illumination overlapping the field of view. The beam-steering device includes two beam-steering stages each having a polarization grating. The polarization gratings are designed to diffract light from the light emitter based on the polarization state of the light received by the polarization grating. The beam-steering device includes a switchable polarization selector designed to change the polarization state of the light to move the field of illumination relative to the field of view.

Abstract: A method and system for locating and tracking a trailer coupler for autonomous vehicle operation is disclosed. The system converts an image from a vehicle camera to a depth map that includes a plurality of points indicative of a distance between an object within the image and a reference point. The system used the depth map to identify and track a coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: A system includes a computer having a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include instructions to receive roadway feedback data from a first vehicle sensor for a period of time and receive roadway feedback data from a second vehicle sensor for the period of time. The instructions include instructions to apply frequency-based analysis to both the roadway feedback data from the first vehicle sensor and the roadway feedback data from the second vehicle sensor for the period of time and identify travel of a wheel of the vehicle over rumble strips based on the frequency-based analysis.

Abstract: A system for landing or docking a mobile platform is enabled by a flash LADAR sensor having an adaptive controller with Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Range gating in the LADAR sensor penetrates through diffuse reflectors. The LADAR sensor adapted for landing/approach comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, transmit optics, receive optics, a focal plane array of detectors, a readout integrated circuit, camera support electronics and image processor, an image analysis and bias calculation processor, and a detector array bias control circuit. The system is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view.

Abstract: A trailer assist system includes a controller configured to determine whether a trailer is in a jackknife condition based on an angle of the trailer relative to a vehicle. Determination is made whether the jackknife condition can be corrected by utilizing vehicle brakes, trailer brakes, or vehicle steering.

Abstract: A method of fusing images includes obtaining an optical image of a first scene with a first camera. A thermal image of the first scene is obtained with a second camera. The optical image is fused with the thermal image to generate a fused image.

Abstract: A system for photodetector crosstalk reduction during a light pulse acquisition window. The system includes a photodetector with a first detector terminal and a second detector terminal. The photodetector is configured to convert received light to an electrical signal. An isolation FET includes an isolation drain, an isolation source, and an isolation gate. The isolation drain is electrically coupled to the detector voltage node, and the isolation source is electrically coupled to the first detector terminal. A bias voltage electrically coupled to the isolation gate is selected such that the isolation FET operates in a saturation region.

Abstract: A method of determining a tow hitch position. The method includes obtaining a two-dimensional image of a tow hitch in a three-dimensional scene. A model tow hitch is obtained in three dimensions. A three-dimensional rendering of a scene is generated that includes the model tow hitch. The model tow hitch in the three-dimensional rendering is positioned in an orientation corresponding with an orientation of the tow hitch in the three-dimensional scene.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for determining a trailer angle between a vehicle and a trailer attached to a the vehicle. The method includes receiving camera data from a camera supported by a rear portion of the vehicle, left radar data from a left short-range radar supported by a left rear portion of the vehicle, and right radar data from a right short-range radar supported by a right rear portion of the vehicle. A trailer angle is estimated based on the camera data, the left radar data, and the right radar data. The estimated trailer angle is sent to one or more vehicle systems associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method for determining position of a trailer may include generating an input image of a first vehicle using a camera mounted on a second vehicle. The input image may capture a feature of the first vehicle. One of the first vehicle and the second vehicle may be a trailer, while the other vehicle of the first vehicle and the second vehicle may be a towing vehicle coupled to the trailer. The method may further include determining a pixel position of the feature in the input image, using a processor. The method may further include determining position of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle based on the pixel position of the feature in the input image, using the processor.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a processing method. The processing method may be suitable for facilitating synchronization between an active device and a passive device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The processing method may, for example, include a coarse synchronization step and a fine synchronization step, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The coarse synchronization step may, for example, include performing a first set of processing tasks to perform the tasks of communicating light from the active device toward a target and initiating capturing of light reflected from the target by the passive device. The fine synchronization step may, for example, include performing a second set of processing tasks to perform the task of matching as between the active device and the passive device in a manner so as to determine at least one fine-tuning factor.

Abstract: A vehicle lidar assembly includes a casing having a front cover and a back cover connected to the front cover defining a casing cavity between the front cover and the back cover. The front cover has an attachment feature designed to directly connect to a vehicle. The back cover is supported by the front cover and has fins designed to dissipate heat. The assembly includes a laser module disposed in the casing cavity. The laser module includes a housing having a hermetically-sealed cavity. The housing includes a base that is connected to the back cover. The laser module includes a laser disposed in the hermetically-sealed cavity 30 and supported by the base.

Abstract: A vehicle localization method, system and program code product for a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes capturing image data from at least one camera disposed on a vehicle. A representation of a second vehicle in the image data is identified. Location information corresponding to the second vehicle is received from the second vehicle. Location information for the vehicle is determined or updated location based on the representation of the second vehicle in the image data and the location information for the second vehicle.