Abstract: A vehicle control system for moving a vehicle to a target location is disclosed. According to examples of the disclosure, a camera captures one or more images of a known object corresponding to the target location. An on-board computer having stored thereon information about the known object can process the one or more images to determine vehicle location with respect to the known object. The system can use the vehicle's determined location and a feedback controller to move the vehicle to the target location.

Abstract: Provided are battery modules. Each module may comprise an enclosure having a base, the base having a plurality of first holes disposed therein, the enclosure including a coolant input port, a coolant output port; the enclosure having a coolant sub-system for circulating coolant being directed into the enclosure through the coolant input port and the plurality of first holes and out of the enclosure through the coolant output port; a center divider affixed to the enclosure; a module cover coupled to the enclosure at an opposite end of the module from the center divider; a retainer disposed within the enclosure and configured to support a plurality of cells; a current carrier disposed between the module cover and the retainer; and the plurality of cells disposed between the current carrier and the center divider, the cells being coupled to and supported by the retainer.

Abstract: Generally described, one or more aspects of the present application correspond to techniques for dynamic management of the network used for data transfer between a connected vehicle and a remote computing system. For example, during navigation a connected vehicle may switch between connections to a number of different networks, and the pricing of these networks may be periodically recalculated based on current network load. The disclosed techniques can select from among available networks to dynamically optimize the cost of data transfer, even as a vehicle navigates through different networks and as network pricing is changed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to refining maps for vehicles, for example using feature extraction to identify parking areas and their contents from high resolution satellite or drone images. Such maps can be useful for autonomous valet parking (AVP) features of autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: A method for improved position estimation. The method includes: receiving first position information from a first GNSS receiver of a vehicle dashboard camera, receiving second position information from a second GNSS receiver of a mobile device carried by a user and proximate the first GNSS receiver, and, when it is determined that the vehicle dashboard camera and the mobile device share the same inertial reference frame and are within the first distance and that the accuracy of either the first position information or the second position information falls beneath the threshold and that the predicted course of either the vehicle dashboard camera and the mobile device is calculated to pass through the region of poor satellite reception, time synchronizing the second position information with the first position information, and combining the first position information with the second position information to determine third position information.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a circuit against a battery module includes a set of first fixtures for holding a set of first tabs of the circuit against a corresponding set of positive terminals of the battery module, a set of second fixtures for holding a set of second tabs of the circuit against a corresponding set of negative terminals of the battery module, and a rigid plate having a set of openings therein for receiving the set of first fixtures and the set of second fixtures, the rigid plate configured for mounting to a structure holding the battery module.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that provide a method and computer readable media for testing battery cells. A unique identifier (e.g., barcode) is affixed to a battery cell which allows it to be tracked across separate tests as a cell, in a module, string, pack, etc. Using a GUI, the unique identifier is recorded in a database along with at least a battery cell manufacturer and a battery cell model. A designation of the particular tester channel or module or string location is entered into the database in association with the unique identifier. Test results of the first test are electronically transferred from the first tester to the database along with the corresponding channel designations.

Abstract: An in-vehicle bed assembly includes a passenger seat having a seat cushion and an extendable leg rest, and a movable ottoman positioned in front of the passenger seat. When the leg rest extends from the passenger seat, the seat cushion, the extended leg rest, and the ottoman form a substantially flat surface for an occupant to lie in a horizontal position.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for storing energy comprises an enclosure including a coolant fluid inlet configured to couple to a coolant fluid system, a plurality of energy-storage cells housed in an arrangement within the enclosure, and a cell holder. The cell holder has retaining features configured to hold the plurality of cells in the arrangement, a first surface forming a cavity between the cell holder and an adjacent wall of the enclosure and a plurality of holes that pass from the cavity through the cell holder and to the region of the enclosure housing the plurality of energy-storage cells. The coolant fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity. Each of the holes is positioned proximate to a cell. Coolant fluid passes through the coolant fluid inlet into the cavity and through the holes to the cells to reduce a temperature of each of the cells.

Abstract: A system for providing media content to an occupant of a vehicle may include a user interface configured to provide the media content to the occupant and a controller coupled to the user interface and to a database configured to store media content. The controller may be configured to receive vehicle navigation data, select a subset of media content from the media content stored in the database based on the vehicle navigation data, and provide the subset of media content through the user interface.

Abstract: A manufacturing process flow and accompanying methods for assembling a battery module are designed to increase efficiency, reduce a footprint of the manufacturing process, reduce manufacturing time, allow for increased flexibility, and reduce costs. The process flow takes advantage of robotic functionality to combine multiple manufacturing and quality assurance operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for de-gasification of vehicle cooling system using a coolant bottle are disclosed. The coolant bottle may include a coolant entrance port configured to be in fluid communication with the vehicle cooling system, and a coolant egress port configured to be in fluid communication with the vehicle cooling system. The coolant egress port is directly connected to the vehicle cooling system. The coolant bottle may further include a plurality of baffle plates placed to divide an interior of the coolant bottle into a plurality of coolant channels. Each baffle plate may include a plurality of apertures configured to provide fluid communication between the plurality of coolant channels.

Abstract: A system that performs a method is disclosed. The system receives information about a map, which includes information about one or more zones in the map. While navigating a vehicle along a driving path within the map, the system receives information about the location of the vehicle in the map. The system estimates an error bounds of the location of the vehicle, and determines in which of the one or more zones in the map the error bounds is located within. In response to the determination: in accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a first zone in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a driving operation. In accordance with a determination that the error bounds is located within a second zone of the one or more zones in the map, the system causes the vehicle to perform a different driving operation.

Abstract: A method for welding multiple workpieces together includes applying a force to the multiple workpieces, generating ultrasonic vibration, transferring the ultrasonic vibration to the multiple workpieces to breakdown an oxide layer, generating an electric current, transmitting the electric current to heat up the workpieces, and synchronizing the ultrasonic and resistance heating operations. A welding system includes an ultrasonic vibration unit that generates an ultrasonic vibration and transfers the ultrasonic vibration to multiple workpieces to breakdown an oxide layer, a resistance heating unit that generates an electric current and transmits the electric current to heat up the workpieces, a workpiece mount that includes electrodes configured to receive the generated current and/or clamp the multiple workpieces during a welding process, and a controller configured to synchronize an operation of the ultrasonic vibration unit and an operation of a resistance heating unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between a vehicle system and a secure communication bus are disclosed. Systems can include a microcontroller and a transceiver configured to send transmit data to the communication bus, receive data from the communication bus, and send data received from the communication bus to the microcontroller. The microcontroller may be prevented from transmitting data to the transceiver by hardware separation between an output of the microcontroller and the transmit data input of the transceiver. The communication bus may be a CAN bus.

Abstract: An emergency release system is disclosed for use with a side door of an automobile. The emergency release system may include a latch, a cable, and a handle connected to the latch via the cable. The handle may be pivotal through a first range to a stop, translatable to surmount the stop, and pivotal through a second range after surmounting the stop to release the latch.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled tangle-resistant charging cable may include a sheath defining a cavity, the sheath having a width dimension, a height dimension, a thickness dimension and a length dimension; wherein the width dimension is larger than the height dimension, and the length dimension is larger than both the height dimension and the width dimension; a first conductor disposed in the cavity, the first conductor having at least one substantially flat side; a hose disposed in the cavity and configured to carry a cooling liquid, the cross-sectional profile of the hose being non-circular and having at least one flat side. In some embodiments, the sheath's cross-sectional height dimension may be between 2% and 95% of the sheath's cross sectional width dimension.

Abstract: A method for autonomously controlling a vehicle is disclosed. In some examples, a vehicle can maneuver out of a parking space in an autonomous and unmanned operation. While parking, the vehicle can capture first one or more images of its surroundings and store the images in a memory included in the vehicle. Upon starting up, the vehicle can capture second one or more images of its surroundings and compare them to the first one or more images to determine if there is an object, person, or animal proximate to the vehicle, for example. In some examples, in accordance with a determination that there is no object, person, or vehicle present that was not present during parking, the vehicle can autonomously move from the parking space with or without a user present in the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for executing an event pertaining to a vehicle and a user of the vehicle are presented. In some embodiments, a includes (a) detecting that a motion state of the vehicle is in a first state, (b) detecting a condition that warrants a change in the motion state of the vehicle to a second state, and (c) detecting the user of the vehicle's engagement in an activity that potentially impairs the user from performing an action to change the motion state of the vehicle to the second state. The method also includes, detecting the condition, and (c) detecting the user of the vehicle's engagement in the activity, executing an event to facilitate the change in the motion state of the vehicle to the second state.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for implementing a windshield wiper system with an actively movable platform. The windshield wiper system can include a windshield wiper arm mechanically coupled to a platform and an actuator mechanically coupled to the platform. The windshield wiper arm can be configured to move through a planar range of motion that is substantially parallel to a surface of a vehicle when the platform is positioned at a first spatial location and the movable windshield wiper arm can be configured constrained from moving through the planar range when the platform is positioned at a second spatial location.