Abstract: A gaming system of a vehicle includes: a game application embodying an interactive game and stored in memory; a sensor of a vehicle configured to determine a present condition while the vehicle is moving; a gaming module of the vehicle, the gaming module configured to, while the vehicle is moving: execute the game application; display a virtual environment of the interactive game via one or more displays in the vehicle; output sound of the interactive game via one or more speakers in the vehicle; control action within the virtual environment of the interactive game based on user input received via one or more input devices of the vehicle; and adjust one or more characteristics of the virtual environment of the interactive game based on the present condition.

Abstract: An anode electrode with enhanced state of charge estimation is provided. The anode electrode comprises anode layer and a negative current collector. The negative current collector has a first side and a second side. The anode layer comprises lithium-titanium oxide and a second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) disposed on at least one of the first and second sides of the negative current collector with single-layer or layer-by-layer coated structures. The second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) can be physically blended with lithium-titanium oxide or be at least partially coated on the surface of lithium-titanium oxide or their combinations. The anode electrode further comprises a binder and a conductive carbon.

Abstract: A method for perception-sharing between similarly-situated vehicles that are traveling on a portion of a roadway that is equipped with an intelligent vehicle highway system is described, and includes executing, in a multi-access edge computing cluster in communication with a roadside unit disposed to monitor a roadway, an application-layer routine. The application-layer routine includes collecting real-time data associated with a plurality of objects from each of the similarly-situated vehicles, predicting motion of each of the plurality of objects based upon the real-time data, object-matching the motion of each of the plurality of objects, and executing fusion of the plurality of objects based upon the object-matching of the motion of each of the plurality of objects. Locations of the similarly-situated vehicles traveling on the roadway are identified based upon the fusion of the plurality of objects. The locations are communicated to one of the similarly-situated vehicles.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: An electrode including micro-sized secondary particle (MSSP) with enhanced ionic conductivity for solid-state battery is provided. The MSSP comprises a cathode particle and a solid-state electrolyte. The cathode particle is at least partially coated by solid-state electrolyte. The lithium ion transport inside the micro-sized secondary particles is increased by the incorporation of solid-state electrolyte. The electrode can be prepared by casting the slurry comprising MSSP, another electrolyte, binders, and conductive additives on the current collector. The current collector is comprised of a conductive material. The current collector has a first side and a second side. The electrode active material layer is disposed on one of the first and second sides of the current collector.

Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor assembly for use with a rotary electric machine includes forming annular rotor laminations from metal blanks. Each lamination has a radial axis and an outer diameter surface. Multiple magnet web regions are defined in proximity to the outer diameter surface. Each web regions includes asymmetrical openings defined by a radially-extending strut and arcuate peripheral bridges. The method includes coaxially stacking the laminations into a rotor stack, including positioning every other lamination a predetermined angular distance with to unmask the bridges and/or struts and mask remaining surface area of the laminations. The rotor stack is subjected to a heat-treating process to harden only the unmasked bridges and/or struts. The method includes connecting a rotor shaft to the stack to construct the rotor assembly, with the web regions corresponding to a respective rotor magnetic pole.

Abstract: A vehicle, Lidar system and method of detecting an object is disclosed. The Lidar system includes a photonic chip having an aperture, one or more photodetectors and a circulator. A transmitted light beam generated within the photonic chip exits the photonic chip via the aperture and a reflected light beam enters the photonic chip via the aperture, the reflected light beam being a reflection of the transmitted light beam from the object. The one or more photodetectors measure the parameter of the object from at least the reflected light beam. The circulator integrated into the photonic chip directs the transmitted light beam toward the aperture and directs the reflected light beam from the aperture to the one or more photodetectors. A navigation system navigates the vehicle with respect to the object based on the parameter of the object.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining a mass of a vehicle including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel is described, and includes monitoring vehicle operating conditions, executing an event-based estimation method based upon the vehicle operating conditions to determine a first vehicle mass state, and executing a recursive estimation method based upon the vehicle operating conditions to determine a second vehicle mass state. A final vehicle mass is determined based upon the first and second vehicle mass states.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile communication system of a motor vehicle is provided for initiating a voice call with a third party. The system includes an ECU, and the ECU includes a controller and a memory storing computer code. The method includes the steps of: (a) initiating a timer; (b) operating the ECU in a first mode in which the ECU attempts to engage in a VoNR call via a first network; (c) repeating step (b) within a predetermined amount of time until the ECU successfully engages in the VoNR call; and (d) operating the ECU in a second mode to attempt to engage in a VoLTE call via a second network in response to the controller determining that the ECU in the first mode did not successfully engage in the VoNR call within a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A bike rack for a vehicle with a tailgate includes a major gate, a minor gate, and a hinge connecting the minor gate to the major gate. The minor gate includes a main body and a load stop configured to pivot relative to main body. The bike rack includes a load stop bracket and braces. The load stop bracket is configured to be placed onto the load stop when the load stop is in a vertical position such that the load stop bracket extends over a top surface of the load stop and is disposed on front and rear sides of the load stop. The braces are attached to the load stop bracket, configured to extend into holes in the hinge when the load stop bracket is placed onto the load stop, and configured to be disposed on opposite sides of a tire on a bike.

Abstract: A system to localize debris on an optical surface of a vehicle includes a first array along a first side of a perimeter of the optical surface and including a light source to emit light into a thickness of the optical surface. A second array is along a second side of the perimeter, opposite the first side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter in the thickness and provide a corresponding output. A third array is along a third side of the perimeter and includes a light source to emit light. A fourth array is along a fourth side of the perimeter, opposite the third side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter and provide a corresponding output. A controller identifies a presence of the debris, determines a position of the debris based on the output from the light detectors, and remediates the debris.

Abstract: A modular stator-inverter assembly for an electric machine includes a stator and a traction power inverter module (“TPIM”). The stator includes a stator core having a center axis, an inner diameter (“ID”), an outer diameter (“OD”), and electrical conductors forming stator windings. Stator teeth extending radially toward the center axis from the ID collectively define stator slots occupied by the stator windings. Each adjacent pair of stator teeth defines a respective stator slot. The TPIM delivers a polyphase voltage to the stator windings to generate a predetermined number of stator poles, such that the stator has either two, three, or four of the stator slots per electric phase per stator pole. The stator defines a center cavity and is configured to receive a selected rotor from an inventory of preconfigured machine rotors. The inventory includes multiple synchronous reluctance machine rotors and an induction machine rotor.

Abstract: An incrementally assembled skin-constrained inflatable bellows system includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, and a bellows attached to and separating the top end cap and the bottom end cap and configured to hold pressurized fluid between the top and bottom end caps. The system further includes a nozzle configured to allow fluid to enter and exit the bellows, and an inextensible skin attached to each of the top end cap, the bottom end cap, and to the bellows. The top end cap assumes a first position when the bellows is inflated via the nozzle and, when the top end cap is adjusted from the first position to a second position, the skin is configured to maintain the top end cap in the second position and constrains the bellows into a predefined rigid three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system includes a battery pack and a battery controller. The battery pack has a voltage current temperature module and multiple battery modules. Respective battery modules have multiple battery cells and are operable to store a module identifier that encodes at least one parameter of the battery cells, receive a configuration request from the voltage current temperature module, and transfer the module identifier to the voltage current temperature module in response to the configuration request. The battery controller is in communication with the voltage current temperature module and is operable to send a status request to the voltage current temperature module, receive the plurality of module identifiers from the voltage current temperature module in response to the status request, and compare the module identifiers to determine either a match or at least one mismatch among the module identifiers of the battery modules.

Abstract: An electrode heat treatment device and associated method for fabricating an electrode are described, and include forming a workpiece, including coating a current collector with a slurry. The workpiece is placed on a first spool, and the first spool including the workpiece is placed in a sealable chamber, wherein the sealable chamber includes the first spool, a heat exchange work space, and a second spool. An inert environment is created in the sealable chamber. The workpiece is subjected to a multi-step continuous heat treatment operation in the inert environment, wherein the multi-step continuous heat treatment operation includes continuously transferring the workpiece through the heat exchange work space between the first spool and the second spool and controlling the heat exchange work space to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A driver alert system for an automobile includes a global positioning system adapted to monitor a location of an automobile, and a processor adapted to receive data from the global positioning system, receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range from the automobile, calculate a distance from the automobile to an area of wildlife activity as indicated by the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within the pre-determined range from the automobile, and provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile and the automobile is within a triggering distance of such wildlife movement.

Abstract: A method for predicting a rotor temperature of an electric motor for an electric vehicle. The method includes measuring at least one of an operating parameter of the electric motor; inputting the at least one of the operating parameter of the electric motor into a predetermined regression model to predict a rotor temperature of the electric motor; and communicating the rotor temperature of the electric motor to a vehicle control module for managing the electric motor. The operating parameters includes a measured stator temperature, a torque level output, a rotor speed, and a coolant flowrate of the fixture electric motor. The electric motor may be that of an induction motor.

Abstract: The concepts described herein provide a method, system, and apparatus for joining, via welding, first and second members fabricated from an aluminum alloy including aluminum, zinc, and manganese, such as 7000-series aluminum alloys, and a resultant workpiece. A junction is formed by a first member being disposed contiguously to a second member. A welding machine generates a weld pool at the junction that includes liquified aluminum alloy. An ultrasonic transducer directs ultrasonic energy in proximity to the weld pool. In some embodiments, an electro-magnetic transducer directs electro-magnetic energy in proximity to the weld pool. The first member is fused to the second member at the junction upon solidification of the weld pool.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a thermal energy storage member in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells. The thermal energy storage member includes an adsorption chamber and an adsorbent material disposed within the adsorption chamber. The adsorbent material is configured to receive thermal energy generated by the plurality of battery cells during charging and discharge of the plurality of battery cells. The thermal energy received by the adsorbent material during charging and discharge of the plurality of battery cells regenerates the adsorbent material and transitions the adsorbent material from an energy released state, in which an adsorbate is physically adsorbed on surfaces of the adsorbent material, to an energy storage state, in which the adsorbent material is substantially free of the adsorbate.

Abstract: A structural assembly includes a frame and a plurality of panels. The frame includes a wall that at least partially defines an interior region. The plurality of panels is disposed at least partially in the interior region and is coupled to the frame. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface defines a first plurality of depressions and the second surface defines a first plurality of protrusions complementary to the first plurality of depressions. The second panel includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface defines a second plurality of depressions. The fourth surface defines a second plurality of protrusions complementary to the first plurality of depressions. The first panel is coupled to the second panel.