Abstract: A method for determining a location and pose of at least one trailer for hitching to a vehicle includes: receiving at least one image of at least one trailer generated by a camera of the vehicle; locating the at least one trailer in the at least one image; determining a plurality of keypoints associated with at least one trailer in the image using at least one machine learning model; determining a location of a coupler of the at least one trailer relative to the vehicle and a pose of the at least one trailer relative to the vehicle based on the computed keypoints; and determining a path for maneuvering the vehicle into position for hitching the at least one trailer to the vehicle based on the location of the coupler of the at least one trailer and the pose of the at least one trailer.

Abstract: A method of providing a visualization (152) of one or more areas obscured by a trailer (200) attached to a vehicle (100) is provided. The method includes receiving first image data (133, 133a) from a first camera (132) positioned on a front portion of the vehicle (100) when the vehicle and the trailer are moving in a forward direction or a rear portion of the trailer when the vehicle and the trailer are moving in a rearward direction. The method also includes storing the received first image data. The method includes receiving speed data (135) of the vehicle from a speed sensor (134). The method also includes determining a visualization (152) of an area (Area 2) underneath the trailer (200) based on the stored first image data (133, 133a) and the speed data (135), and sending instructions to a display (122) to display the visualization of the area underneath the trailer.

Abstract: A controller for LiDAR sensor is programmed to activate a plurality of light emitter pairs each including a first light emitter and a second light emitter by alternating between a first powering sequence and a second powering sequence. The first powering sequence includes sequentially activating the first light emitters. The second powering sequence includes sequentially activating the second light emitters. The controller is programmed to, during one of the first powering sequences, detect damage to the first light emitter of a damaged one of the light emitter pairs. The controller is programmed to, during subsequent first powering sequences, activating the second light emitter of the damaged one of the light emitter pairs in response to detected damage to the first light emitter of the damaged one of the light emitter pairs.

Abstract: A LiDAR sensor includes a casing, a window supported by the casing, a light detector having a field of view, and a light emitter having a field of illumination aimed at the field of view. At least one of the light detector or the light emitter is in the casing and aimed through the window. A fluid line is in the casing. A cleaning rail is moveable relative to the casing between a retracted position and an extended position. The cleaning rail is slidably received in the fluid line and slidable relative to the fluid line between the retracted position and the extended position. The cleaning rail has nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid line. The nozzles are aimed at the window in the extended position. The cleaning rail has a rod slidably received in the fluid line and an arm extending transverse to the rod along the window. The arm has the nozzles. A light source is on the rod. The light source is aimed at the window in the extended position. An image sensor is aimed at the window.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle provides for the generation of different perspectives with a single camera to improve location accuracy. The camera system includes a camera configured for generating an image of an area proximate the vehicle and a mirror mounted proximate the camera and within a field of view of the camera. The mirror provides a secondary view of the area proximate the vehicle to the camera that is included as part of a single image.

Abstract: A method for providing a panoramic view (152) of an environment behind a trailer (106) of a vehicle-trailer system (100). The method includes receiving a first image (133, 133b) from a rear trailer camera (132, 132b), a second image (133, 133c) from a right-side trailer camera (132, 132c), and a third image (133, 133d) from a left-side trailer camera (132, 132d). The method includes determining a panoramic view (152) based on the first image (133, 133b), the second image (133, 133c), and the third image (133, 133d). Additionally, the method includes determining a trailer angle (?) based on sensor system data (131) received from a sensor system (130). The method includes determining a viewing area (154) within the panoramic view (152) based on the trailer angle (?) and sending instructions (156) to a display (122) to display the viewing area (154).

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: 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: 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 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.