Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One method for processing communication between a vehicle and traffic lights is provided. The method includes processing geo-location for the vehicle using on-board electronics of the vehicle and data obtained from a global positioning system, and determining a heading direction of the vehicle based on changes in the geo-locations of the vehicle. The method includes receiving state information of one or more of traffic lights that are located within an area of influence associated with a current geo-location of the vehicle. The traffic lights are independent of the vehicle and the state information from the one or more traffic lights is processed for the current geo-location of the vehicle and based on the area of influence of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle including an electric motor is provided. The electric vehicle having a receptacle slot integrated in the electric vehicle, and the receptacle slot providing a connection for providing power to the electric motor. A battery is configured for sliding into the receptacle slot to enable electrical engagement of the battery with the connection when in the receptacle slot. The battery is further configured for sliding out of the receptacle slot to remove the battery from electrical engagement with the connection. The battery is configured to store and supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle. The battery is replaceable by sliding the battery out of the receptacle slot and sliding in another battery into the receptacle slot to further supply charge to power the electric motor of the electric vehicle with said another battery.

Abstract: Systems of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One system includes an on-board computer that is part of the vehicle and communications circuity having connection to the on-board computer. The communications circuitry is configured to interface with a wireless network for accessing the Internet. The on-board computer is configured to execute instructions for enabling wireless connection to portable devices that enter the vehicle and are provided with access to said wireless connection. Vehicle electronics are interfaced with one or more vehicle systems and the on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to provide access to at least one graphical user interface to the portable device via the wireless connection. The at least one graphical user interface includes input options that enable control for features of a vehicle system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One method includes processing communication between a vehicle and one or more connected object. Included is processing geo-location for the vehicle using on-board electronics of the vehicle and data obtained from a global positioning system and determining a heading direction of the vehicle based on changes in the geo-locations of the vehicle. The method receives state information of one or more of connected objects that are located within an area of influence associated with a current geo-location of the vehicle. The connected objects are independent of the vehicle and the state information from the one or more connected objects is processed for the current geo-location of the vehicle and based on the area of influence of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle having communications circuitry for connecting over a wireless network to a server for exchanging vehicle condition information is provided. The vehicle includes an on-board computer for interfacing with vehicle systems and the communications circuitry. The on-board computer is further configured to process input received from at least one vehicle interface of the vehicle and processing output via at least one vehicle output of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is configured to send to the server over the wireless network vehicle data for vehicle status information, the vehicle status information is for one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle. The server accesses at least one database that include diagnostics data for a vehicle type of the vehicle and crowd sourced data for the vehicle type, the crowd sourced data includes comments received from one or more users of vehicles of the vehicle type that relate to the vehicle status information of one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: Cloud systems executing method operations for communicating with connected vehicles of users having user accounts with the cloud system are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving discounts published by merchants for presentation to a network of charging units (CUs), each of the CUs being associated to a geo-location. The method also includes receiving an identification of an electric vehicle that is associated to a user account. The identification of the electric vehicle is received when the electric vehicle has parked over a charging pad of a particular CU, and the charging pad is at a geo-location of the particular CU. The method also includes identifying at least one discount to be presented to a device of the electric vehicle. The identifying is a result of filtering discounts based on user preferences associated with the user account and a proximity of a merchant location to the particular CU having the charging pad over which the vehicle has parked.

Abstract: Methods, systems and media are provided for managing personal security of a user of a vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a plurality of active sensors. One method includes receiving a first remote request at the vehicle to activate a first level of security. The first level of security activates a first active sensor. The method includes recording an area proximate to vehicle in response to activating the first level of security. The recording produces a media file. The method includes transmitting the media file to Internet storage associated with an account of the user of the vehicle. The method includes setting indicators, such as lighting in and around the vehicle to identify a security level of the vehicle. The lighting can be color illumination, that indicates to a user before the user fully approaches the vehicle if the vehicle has a particular security level, based on prior monitored activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric battery of a vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a battery for powering an electric motor of the vehicle. A controller of the vehicle is provided to interface with a battery and to enable control of charging of the battery. The vehicle includes a communications interface for enabling wireless communication with a server, and the server is configured to manage a plurality of user accounts for users. The server is one of a plurality of servers, and the servers providing access to cloud services regarding vehicle use and metrics.

Abstract: A vehicle including one or more computers to interface with electronics of the vehicle to access status data for systems of the vehicle and to make input settings to one or more of the systems. The vehicle includes wireless communication circuitry for providing connection to the Internet and to one or more wireless devices when paired with the vehicle. An occupancy sensor of the vehicle is configured to interface with the one or more computers of the vehicle to identify occupancy of seats of the vehicle. A processor of the one or more computers of the vehicle is configured to execute instructions to receive data from a wireless device that is paired with the vehicle. The data is used to identify a seat in the vehicle that is associated with a passenger. The processor executes instructions to provide data to a user interface accessed by the wireless device to expose a plurality of systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: Battery carriers that provide replaceable and exchangeable batteries and systems are provided. One example battery carrier is for batteries used in electric vehicles. The battery carrier includes a housing with a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is configured to receive a battery that is configured for hand-insertion and hand-removal from the battery carrier. Each slot and each battery has a form factor that is dimensioned to at least partially fit within ones of the slots. A plurality of electrical connectors are provided, and each electrical connector is disposed inside respective ones of the slots and each electrical connector is configured to mate with an electrical connector of the battery when present in a slot of the plurality of slots and each electrical connector is configured to provide power transfer between a power source to which the battery carrier is connected and a battery when present in one of the slots.