Abstract: A self-activating fault protection circuit for an electrical charging system for an on-vehicle rechargeable energy storage device that includes a DC-DC boost converter is described. The self-activating fault protection circuit includes, in one embodiment, an electrical connector including a positive cable and a negative cable, high-voltage electric power bus, and a self-activating fault protection circuit including a high-voltage diode. The DC-DC boost converter is electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device via the high-voltage electric power bus, and the electrical connector is electrically connected to the DC-DC boost converter via the positive cable and the negative cable. The high-voltage diode is arranged in the negative cable between the electrical connector and the DC-DC boost converter.

Abstract: A system for scenario context-aware voice assistant auto-activation is provided. The system includes a microphone configured for providing data related to a word or a phrase spoken by a user, an operational device, and a computerized scenario context-aware voice assistant controller. The controller includes programming to recognize the word or the phrase within the data and identify a scenario context of the word or the phrase. The controller further includes programming to utilize the scenario context to associate the word or the phrase with a scenario context feature trigger configured for indicating a desired command of the user and command the operational device based upon the scenario context feature trigger associated with the word or the phrase.

Abstract: An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.

Abstract: A system for optimizing ownership cost of a fleet having electric vehicles includes a command unit adapted to selectively execute a simulation module, a sampling module and an optimization module. The command unit is configured to construct a multi-agent model based at least partially on historical fleet trip data and mobility pattern data of the fleet. Route data for a set of fleet tasks is obtained, including charging infrastructure data. The command unit is configured to simulate different configurations of the electric vehicles carrying out the set of fleet tasks over a predefined period, via the simulation module, based in part on the multi-agent model and the route data. The command unit is configured to determine an optimal configuration from the different configurations of the electric vehicles, via the optimization module. The optimal configuration minimizes investment and operational costs of the fleet.

Abstract: Robotic systems and methods are provided with an end effector having lockable compliance. A robotic system for manipulating a workpiece includes an arm having a pair of sections connected by a joint assembly, with a lock disposed in the joint assembly. A gripper is connected on the arm and is configured to alternately grip and release the workpiece. A controller operates the lock to alternately lock and unlock the joint assembly. The gripper holds the workpiece during a deformation of the workpiece, while the controller may unlock the lock to allow movement of the joint assembly to relieve forces on the arm arising during a deformation of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure a gel polymer electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The gel polymer electrolyte includes a polymer host, a liquid electrolyte, and greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 10 wt. % of a sulfolene additive. In certain variations, the gel polymer electrolyte also includes greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 5 wt. % of an ethylene carbonate additive. The ethylene carbonate additive may be selected from the group consisting of: vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), vinylene carbonate, and combinations thereof. In each instance, the lithium electrolyte may include a first lithium salt, a second lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt, and a third lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt and the second lithium salt.

Abstract: A hairpin conductor includes two wire segments each having respective first and second ends and a respective middle region. The segments are disposed in a side-by-side orientation such that their first ends are proximate each other and their second ends are proximate each other. The first ends are welded to each other and the second ends are welded to each other, or the middle regions are welded to each other, thereby providing a welded wire assembly, which is bent such that the two wire segments are bent equally to form the hairpin conductor. The hairpin conductor has a primary bend in the middle regions to form an apex thereat and first and second secondary bends in the two wire segments nearer to the apex than to the first and second ends to form respective first and second shoulders thereat. A method of forming the hairpin conductor is also presented.

Abstract: A pouch battery cell module includes a battery cell stack having first and second pouch battery cells and a thermally conductive and compliant material arranged between the battery cells. The module also includes a module container housing the first and second pouch battery cells and providing structural support therefor and including first, second, third, and fourth lateral walls, with each wall defining at least one coolant passage. Each of the first through fourth lateral walls is configured to direct out of the battery module container debris and gases emitted by at least one of the first and second pouch battery cells undergoing a thermal runaway event. The module container also includes non-structural fifth and sixth sides configured to eject to an external environment the debris and gases directed by the first through fourth lateral walls. A method of assembling a pouch battery cell module is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a continuous driving path for a vehicle include: (i) automatically controlling movement of the vehicle along a path while prioritizing the movement so as to minimize vehicle maneuvers, via a processor; (ii) obtaining data including location information as to a location of the vehicle and map information pertaining to the location as the vehicle is travelling autonomously via by the processor; (iii) determining, via the processor, when a decision is needed with respect to further travel of the vehicle, based on the location information and the map information; (iv) requesting, via the processor, driver input as to a driver preference of a driver for movement of the vehicle with regard to the decision; (v) receiving, via one or more sensors, the driver input including the driver preference; and (vi) determining, via the processor, the continuous driving path based on the driver preference.

Abstract: A dual deflection ring system includes a pair of components that rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation. One or more deflection rings are disposed between the components. The deflection ring(s) include two sets of pockets configured to provide two levels of compressibility in-series between the components. The two sets of pockets project radially relative to the axis of rotation and are compressible between the components.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method that includes receiving first data from a sensor of a vehicle. The method further includes determining, by a processing device, whether an incident external to the vehicle has occurred by processing the first data using a machine learning model. The method further includes, responsive to determining that an incident external to the vehicle has occurred, initiating recording of second data by the sensor. The method further includes, responsive to determining that an incident external to the vehicle has occurred, taking an action to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A system processes unstructured data to identify a plurality of subsets of text in a set of text in the unstructured data and determines, for a subset from the plurality of subsets, probabilities based on a position of the subset in the set of text, a part of speech (POS) of each word in the subset, and POSs of one or more words on left and right hand sides of the subset, a number of the one or more words being selected based on a length of the set of text. The system generates a feature vector for the subset, the feature vector including the probabilities and additional features of the subset; and classifies, using a classifier, the subset into one of a plurality of classes based on the feature vector for the subset, the plurality of classes representing an ontology of a domain of knowledge.

Abstract: A system includes a primary control module, a stability status module, and a supervisory control module. The primary control module is configured to determine at least one control action for at least one of an electronic limited slip differential and an aerodynamic actuator of a vehicle based on a driver command. The stability status module is configured to determine whether at least one component of the vehicle is stable or unstable based on an input from a sensor on the vehicle. The at least one component includes at least one of a vehicle body, a front axle, a rear axle, front wheels, and rear wheels. The supervisory control module is configured to adjust the at least one control action when the at least one component is unstable.

Abstract: An article storage and retrieval system includes a body having a first side wall, a second side wall and a support surface. The support surface establishes a first article retrieval zone and a second article retrieval zone. A first door support assembly is arranged at the body. A second door support assembly arranged at the body. A roller door is mounted between the first door support assembly and the second door support assembly. The roller door includes an opening. A motor, operatively connected to one of the first door support assembly and the second door support assembly, selectively operates to shift the roller door relative to the body. A controller activates the motor to shift the roller door and selectively align the opening with one of the first article retrieval zone and the second article retrieval zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting a traffic object outside of a vehicle and controlling the vehicle. The systems and methods receive perception data from a sensor system included in the vehicle, determine a focused Region Of Interest (ROI) in the perception data, scale the perception data of the at least one focused ROI, process the scaled perception data of the focused ROI using a neural network (NN)-based traffic object detection algorithm to provide traffic object detection data, and control at least one vehicle feature based, in part, on the traffic object detection data.

Abstract: A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes sending the computing tasks and the task rates for performing the computing tasks to a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle and receiving an acceptance signal from the vehicle controller. The acceptance signal is indicative that the vehicle controller accepted to perform the computing tasks. The method further includes commanding a charging infrastructure to supply electrical power the electric vehicle while the vehicle controller performs the computing tasks.

Abstract: A system for adaptive in-drive updating, for a vehicle travelling on a route, includes a controller adapted to obtain a pre-drive energy consumption prediction for the route, via an energy consumption predictor. An in-drive updating module is selectively executable by the controller at a timepoint during the route at which a completed portion of the route has been traversed and a remaining portion remains untraversed. The controller is adapted to obtain an actual energy consumption for segments in the completed portion of the route. The controller is adapted to obtain at least one modification factor based on a comparison of the actual energy consumption and the pre-drive energy consumption prediction for the segments in the completed portion of the route. The pre-drive energy consumption prediction for the remaining portion of the route is adjusted based on the modification factor.