Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a torque threshold for hands on/off detection are disclosed. An example steering system includes a steering wheel, a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel, a rack operatively coupled to the steering shaft, a translational movement of the rack to pivot wheels of a vehicle, a torque sensor operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the torque sensor to measure a torque associated with the steering shaft, an autonomous steering control system to adjust a torque threshold in response to a velocity of the rack satisfying a velocity threshold, and detect a hands off condition in response to the torque satisfying the torque threshold.

Abstract: A device for incrementally forming a plurality of workpieces includes a frame configured to receive a workpiece, at least one clamp configured to secure the workpiece to the frame, a first sacrificial material layer configured to be secured to at least one surface of the workpiece, and a first forming tool configured to impart a first force directly to the first sacrificial material layer and incrementally form the workpiece to a desired geometry based on a tool path of the first forming tool. The frame, the at least one clamp, the first sacrificial material layer, and the first forming tool are configured to impart a first force directly to the first sacrificial material layer secured to at least one surface of a first workpiece with the first forming tool and incrementally form the first workpiece to a desired geometry based on a tool path of the first forming tool.

Abstract: A die assembly for use with a stamping die. The die assembly having a system for monitoring a gas pressure in the stamping die. The system including first and second piston-cylinder assemblies acting on a flag block wherein movement of the flag block corresponds to a pressure change. A sensor detects a movement of the flag block.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive data indicating vehicle-feature usage for an individual vehicle. The processor is also configured to aggregate received data to form a feature-usage customer profile defining feature preferences. The processor is further configured to select vehicles associated with a customer-classification, including predefined feature-usage characteristics, the customer-classification determined based on a correlation between the predefined feature-usage characteristics and the aggregated data in the feature-usage profile defining feature preferences. The processor is also configured to compare the aggregated data to the selected vehicles to determine a vehicle having features preferred by a customer as indicated by the aggregated data in the feature-usage profile and recommend the determined vehicle to the customer.

Abstract: Biometric data profiles for users of a vehicle are managed according to an enrollment mode and a maintenance mode. The enrollment mode includes 1) authenticating a respective authorized user, 2) transferring a respective biometric profile to an encrypted biometric memory, 3) specifying a sunset time for automatic deletion of the respective biometric profile, 4) establishing an activity window, and 5) establishing a deferral period. The maintenance mode includes 1) deleting a respective biometric profile upon occurrence of the respective specified sunset time, 2) detecting vehicle access in response to a stored biometric profile during a respective activity window of the respective authorized user, and 3) automatically extending the respective sunset time according to the respective deferral period if the detected vehicle access during the respective activity window meets a respective threshold.

Abstract: A system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle including a chassis, a tank attached to the chassis, a sprayer fluidly connected to the tank, a heating element attached to the chassis, a fan drawing air over the heating element, and a clamp attached to the chassis; and a computer in communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle and programmed to instruct the clamp to attach to an external sensor of a vehicle, instruct the sprayer to spray water and detergent onto the external sensor, and instruct the fan to blow heated air at the external sensor.

Abstract: Vehicles can be equipped to operate in both autonomous and occupant piloted mode. A computing device included in a vehicle can determine estimated steering velocities for a steering system of a vehicle as a function of respective steering angles and time steps and determine a path for the vehicle to travel based on the estimated steering velocities.

Abstract: A vehicle computer is disclosed that includes one or more processors and memory that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors. The computer may be programmed to: receive a light input from an array of photovoltaic cells carried by a vehicle; based on the light input, determine that an infrastructure lamp is in a degraded state or a failure state; and transmit a report to a backend system based on the determination.

Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a visor panel carrying at least one fan or blower adapted to provide an airflow that is directionally adjustable independently of an orientation of the visor panel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of actuators of a vehicle, where each actuator is to be length adjustable, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuators, where the controller to vary a height of at least one of the actuators to adjust a tilt of the vehicle to facilitate loading or removal of an object relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a camera on-board a vehicle to determine whether precipitation is failing near the vehicle. The method may include obtaining multiple images. Each of the multiple images may be known to photographically depict a “rain” or a “no rain” condition. An artificial neural network may be trained on the multiple images. Later, the artificial neural network may analyze one or more images captured by a first camera secured to a first vehicle. Based on that analysis, the artificial neural network may classify the first vehicle as being in “rain” or “no rain” weather.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system for reducing vehicular collisions having: (a) a vehicle comprising sensors, an acceleration system, a braking system, a processor, and memory; and (b) programs operatively coupled to the vehicle including: (1) a marking program configured to mark an outside vehicle as V2X or standard; (2) a reaction program configured to generate a signal in response to the mark, the signal being based on the mark.

Abstract: A vehicle window glazing is provided that includes a transparent substrate defining a first surface with a decorative layer positioned on the first surface defining an indicium. A light source is positioned on the decorative layer. A conductive lead is electrically coupled to the light source and extends along the first surface of the substrate away from the light source. The at least one conductive lead is substantially transparent and a transparent layer is positioned over the decorative layer and substrate.

Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for a transportation vehicle having a passenger cabin with an interior trim surface. A stationary duct segment receives an inlet air flow and has a stationary outlet hidden behind the interior trim surface. A telescoping duct segment has a sliding inlet sealingly coupled to the stationary outlet so that it slides on the stationary outlet between a retracted position and an extended position. The telescoping duct segment has a movable outlet arranged to provide a variable flow cross section to the passenger cabin that increases as the telescoping duct segment slides from the retracted position to the extended position. A trim hood provides a portion of the interior trim surface and is movable with the telescoping duct segment. The trim hood has a pivot axis at an end of the trim hood remote from the movable outlet.

Abstract: Performance electric parking brake controllers determine braking control signals for a performance electric parking brake system based on a position of a parking brake lever. A parking brake lever has a first rate of resistance associated with movement in a first direction away from a neutral position and a second rate of resistance associated with movement in a second direction away from the neutral position opposite the first direction. The first and second rates of resistance are different. A controller is configured to electromechanically actuate rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a first set of operating conditions of the vehicle, to hydraulically actuate front brake calipers and the rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a second set of operating conditions of the vehicle, and to hydraulically actuate only the rear brake calipers in response to a third set of operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method, carried out in a controller of a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, to counteract an undesired influence on the motor vehicle. The method comprises determining, during a braking recuperation process, the undesired influence that is caused by the braking recuperation process and counteracting the determined undesired influence using a vehicle system that affects torques present at one or more wheels of the plurality of vehicle wheels.

Abstract: Desulfation of a primary battery of an on-board power system of a motor vehicle takes place during operation of an internal combustion engine using electrical energy transmitted to the primary battery front the internal combustion engine. When the internal combustion engine is switched off, or otherwise not operational, desulfation of the primary battery continues using a secondary battery wherein electrical energy is transmitted to the primary battery from the secondary battery.