Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to generate power. The disconnect clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start the engine, close the disconnect clutch to transfer power from the electric machine to the engine. The controller is further programmed to control the torque of the disconnect clutch via increasing a pressure applied to the disconnect clutch based on a first-order model of the pressure applied to the disconnect clutch. The controller is further programmed to adjust the model based on a difference between an expected pressure to the disconnect clutch and a measured pressure of the disconnect clutch during a time period prior to transferring torque through the disconnect clutch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (2) with a remotely controlled parking assistant (6), with the steps: (S100) Reading in status data (SD) indicative of a status (S1, S2, S3, S4), (S200) Determination of at least one state (Z1, Z2) by evaluating the status data (SD), (S300) Assigning the specific state (Z1, Z2) to a state class (K1, K2) of a plurality of state classes (K1, K2), and (S400) Outputting a control data record (AS1, AS2) that is assigned to the assigned state class (K1, K2) and/or (S600) outputting an information data record (IS1, IS2) that is assigned to the assigned state class (K1, K2).

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: Molded articles having a decorative effect include at least 75% by weight neutralized acid copolymer. The molded articles include from 0.1% to 5% by weight polyamide-based pigment masterbatch. The polyamide-based pigment masterbatch includes from 30% to 95% by weight polyamide and from 5% to 70% by weight of a first pigment associated with the polyamide. The molded articles further include from 0.1% to 5% by weight of a second pigment derived from a liquid-based pigment masterbatch; and from 0.1% to 0.7% by weight of oil-based carrier derived from the liquid-based pigment masterbatch. Methods for preparing the molded articles include dry blending a neutralized acid copolymer, a polyamide-based pigment masterbatch, and a liquid-based pigment masterbatch to form an initial mixture; feeding the initial mixture to an injection molding apparatus; and molding the initial mixture with the injection molding apparatus to form the molded article.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are configured to simultaneously generate power in a hybrid mode. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a power demand decreasing to less than a first threshold while the vehicle is operating in the hybrid mode, shutdown the engine. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the power demand decreasing to less than the first threshold and an operator input to extend the hybrid mode, override shutting down the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a trajectory of a vehicle are disclosed. The methods include generating a spatial domain speed profile for a path represented as a sequence of poses of a vehicle between a first point and a second point. Generation of the spatial domain speed profile uses a longitudinal problem while excluding a derate interval on the path when speed of the vehicle cannot exceed a threshold. The methods further include generating a derate profile using the spatial domain speed profile and the derate interval, and transforming the derate interval to a temporal derate interval. The temporal derate interval may include time steps at which the speed of the vehicle cannot exceed the threshold while traversing the path, and may be used as an input to the longitudinal problem for generating a trajectory of the vehicle for navigating between the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to access sensor data of a sensor of a vehicle while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, detect, based on the sensor data, an object located along a path of travel of the vehicle, determine that the object is a moveable object based on a radar return of a radar reflector of the object, and responsive to the determination that the object is the moveable object, adjust, by the adaptive cruise control feature, the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one example, the method determines an estimate of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor time constant according to a comparison of air/fuel ratios and a system time constant.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first region of a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a bypass branch. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet, a mid-pressure inlet, and an outlet. The first heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the outlet of the compressor. The second heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger. The bypass branch includes an entrance and an exit. The entrance to the bypass branch is positioned downstream of the outlet of the compressor and upstream of the first region of the first heat exchanger. The exit of the bypass branch is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel system. In one example, a method includes adjusting a threshold of a diagnostic based on a distance between a fuel tank and a ground surface. The distance is inferred based on a vehicle weight.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing smart in-vehicle conferencing with user tracking and speaker prioritization.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inflow side, an outflow side, and at least one helically extending heat exchanger tube through which a heat exchanger fluid flows. A medium flows along a throughflow direction from the inflow side to the outflow side. A helix axis of a helix formed by the heat exchanger tube extends transversely with respect to the throughflow direction of the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods to predict and apply regenerative braking using GPS (global positioning system) and IMU (inertial measurement unit) data. Techniques described herein may be utilized to use a vehicle's current GPS position and IMU sensor data to determine charging availability for electric or hybrid vehicles. IMU and/or GPS data is used to determine a next path prediction and detect next route elevation level. If the next route elevation level is above a threshold, value, the vehicle's motor may be automatically swapped for regenerating energy. Accordingly, recharging operations may be performed in a wide change of scenarios, including those where a driver has not engaged the brake pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing edge computing assisted vehicle alerts. A multi-access edge computing (MEC) server may be configured to obtain a plurality of messages from one or more vehicles, determine formation of a traffic queue based on the plurality of messages, determine a plurality of zone-based speed limits, determine when a vehicle approaching the traffic queue may be traveling faster than desired based on its location relative to an applicable zone-based speed limit, and generate one or more alerts.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods that minimize walking inside a multi-level parking structure. An example method that may be performed by a processor can include determining a first walking distance between a first unoccupied parking spot on a first parking level of a multi-level parking structure and a destination located outside the multi-level parking structure and can further include determining a second walking distance between a second unoccupied parking spot on a second parking level of the multi-level parking structure and the destination located outside the multi-level parking structure. The first walking distance is compared to the second walking distance and based on a shorter of the first walking distance and the second walking distance, guidance is provided to drive to one of the first unoccupied parking spot or the second unoccupied parking spot. The guidance may be provided via an infotainment system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle includes a microphone focused on a first designated location of a first person with respect to the vehicle, a camera with a field of view encompassing the first designated location, an output device directed to a second designated location of a second person with respect to the vehicle, and a computer communicatively coupled to the microphone, the camera, and the output device. The computer is programmed to generate first text in a first language based on input audio data from the microphone and video data from the camera, translate the first text to second text in a second language, and instruct the output device to output the second text.

Abstract: Embodiments of a thermoplastic composition comprise: from 0.5 wt % to 75.0 wt. % of a PCR comprising a blend of polyethylene recovered from post-consumer material, pre-consumer material, or combinations thereof; and from 25.0 wt. % to 99.5 wt % of virgin bimodal polyethylene.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to vehicle load balancing systems and methods. An example method executed by a processor includes receiving, from a weight sensor, a first weight measurement of a cargo item placed upon a cargo bed of a vehicle and further includes receiving a second weight measurement from the weight sensor after detecting that the vehicle is in motion. The processor then determines, based on detecting a difference between the first weight measurement and the second weight measurement that the cargo item has shifted from a first spot to a second spot on the cargo bed. The example method can further involve placing the cargo bed in a tilted configuration followed by configuring the vehicle to jerk sporadically while traveling in a first direction that is selected to shift the cargo item back from the second spot to the first spot on the cargo bed.

Abstract: A trailer angle identification system includes an imaging device configured to capture an image. A controller is configured to receive steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of a vehicle, receive vehicle speed data corresponding to a vehicle speed, and estimate an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle by processing the image, the steering angle data, and the vehicle speed data in at least one neural network.

Abstract: A vehicle for package delivery is provided. The vehicle includes one or more processors; a tile floor system connected to the one or more processors, the tile floor system comprising a plurality of tiles with actuators that individually move containers thereon, and in a first arrangement a first tile is associated with a first container; at least one imaging device; and a memory. The processors determine an identifier for a package, receive first image data associated with the package from the imaging device, determine a first association of the package with the first container based on the first image data, determine a first delivery route that includes a first stop associated with the identifier for the package, and rearrange the containers by the tile floor system into a second arrangement based on the first delivery route prior to the first stop of the first delivery route.