Abstract: In an embodiment, a metal-organic framework electrolyte layer, can comprise a plurality of metal-organic frameworks having a porous structure and comprising a solvated salt absorbed in the porous structure; and a polymer. The MOF electrolyte layer can have at least one of a density of less than or equal to 0.3 g/cm3 or a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 500 to 4,000 m2/g. A lithium metal battery can comprise the metal-organic framework electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A system or method implemented by an autonomous vehicle involves determining a path plan to reach a destination from an origin. The path plan includes two or more path steps indicating tasks to be completed to reach the destination. The method includes, during traversal of the path plan by the autonomous vehicle, evaluating one or more of the two or more path steps of a planning horizon to determine a behavior plan for the planning horizon. The planning horizon is based on a current position of the autonomous vehicle, the behavior plan includes a speed and a trajectory, and the evaluating includes performing a cost analysis using a parallelized tree-based decision scheme at each of two or more simulation intervals within the planning horizon. The evaluating and the determining the behavior plan is repeated at two or more positions of the autonomous vehicle from the origin to the destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing automated lane change (ALC) operations. A mission planner, upon receipt of an ALC request, sends a ALC heads up signal to a lateral control. The mission planner then begins confidence building operations, for a preprogrammed duration of time, and awaits an ALC ready signal from the lateral control. The lateral control, upon receipt of the ALC heads up, calculates an index of readiness, RALC, as a function of the requested ALC, a current trajectory, and a lane centering control path. When RALC is less than or equal to a readiness threshold, Rt, the lateral control sends the ALC ready signal. When RALC is greater than Rt, the lateral control generates a steering correction and applies the steering correction to reduce the RALC and thereby stabilize the vehicle and send the ALC ready signal. Upon receiving the ALC ready signal, the ALC operation is executed.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an autonomous system is provided that includes: a tow vehicle, a trailer, and a control system. The tow vehicle has a vehicle battery. The trailer is coupled to the tow vehicle, and has a trailer battery. The control system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate measuring a state of charge of the trailer battery. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate selectively providing current from the tow vehicle to the trailer based on the state of charge of the trailer battery.

Abstract: An intersection navigation system includes: a complexity module configured to determine a complexity value for an intersection of two or more roads, where the complexity value for the intersection corresponds to a level of complexity for a vehicle to navigate the intersection during autonomous driving; and a driving control module configured to: during autonomous driving of a vehicle, control at least one of: steering of the vehicle; braking of the vehicle; and acceleration of the vehicle; and based on the complexity value of the intersection, selectively adjust at least one aspect of the autonomous driving.

Abstract: A vehicle air vent includes a primary vane system pivotal about a horizontal axis to direct an air flow from an outlet of the vehicle air vent in an up/down direction and including a primary vane, a secondary vane system pivotal about a vertical axis to direct an air flow from an outlet of the vehicle air vent in a side-to-side direction and including a secondary vane, and an air flow volume control system including a control knob movable in a fore/aft direction for adjusting the volume of air flow through the air vent.

Abstract: A holographic display system is provided and includes a light source, a holographic projector, and a polarizer. The light source is configured to generate a first light beam. The holographic projector includes a spatial light modulator configured to adjust phases of respective portions of the first light beam to generate a phase hologram beam. The phase hologram beam comprises a first polarization and a second polarization. The polarizer is configured to filter out light having the first polarization from the phase hologram beam to provide at least a portion of a filtered phase hologram beam at a diffuser to generate a holographic image, wherein the filtered phase hologram beam includes light with the second polarization and does not include light with the first polarization.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating Class-A components (CAC) include providing a molding precursor which includes a first and second skin layer each including a fiber reinforcing material embedded in a polymer matrix, a third layer between the first and second skin layers and including a third polymer matrix and a filler material interspersed therein. The fiber reinforcing materials include a plurality of substantially aligned carbon fibers having a plurality of low strength regions staggered with respect to the second axis. The method includes disposing a molding precursor within a die, compression molding the molding precursor in the die, wherein the die includes a punch configured to contact the second skin layer, opening the die to create a gap between the punch and an outer surface of the second skin layer, and injecting a Class-A finish coat precursor into the gap to create a class-A surface layer and form the CAC.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device, a decision model, wherein the decision model predicts when to automatically perform a motivational lane change; updating, by a processor, the decision model based on data obtained in response to user input; and automatically requesting, by the processor, a lane change based on the dynamically updated model.

Abstract: A method for reducing the number of neurons in a trained deep neural network (DNN) includes classifying layer types in a plurality of hidden layers; evaluating the accuracy of the DNN using a validation set of data; and generating a layer specific ranking of neurons, wherein the generating includes: analyzing, using the validation set of data for one or more of the plurality of hidden layers, the activation function for each neuron in the analyzed layers to determine an activation score for each neuron; and ranking, on a layer type basis, each neuron in the analyzed layers based on the neuron's activation score to generate a layer specific ranking of neurons. The method further includes removing a number of lower ranked neurons from the DNN that does not result in the DNN after the removal of selected lower ranked neurons to fall outside of an accuracy threshold limit.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor and a cover disposed adjacent to the sensor to protect the sensor. The cover has an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface opposite the inner cover surface. The inner cover surface faces the sensor, and the outer cover surface faces away from the sensor. The cover has a first end wall and a second end wall apart from the first end wall along a first direction. The sensor assembly includes a cleaning system having a wiper movable along the outer cover surface of the cover in the first direction to clean to the outer cover surface. The wiper is at least partly made of a wiper material, and the wiper material includes a hydrophilic material to facilitate removal of water from the outer cover surface of the cover.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for performing off road adaptive cruise control in a host vehicle including controlling a vehicle speed at a first speed according to an adaptive cruise control algorithm, detecting an obstacle, using a sensor, within a host vehicle path, reducing the vehicle speed to a reduced speed in response to the detection of the obstacle, detecting a vehicle contact with the obstacle in response to a first inertial measurement unit measurement, applying a brake friction force and increasing an engine torque in response to detecting the vehicle contact with the obstacle, determining a traverse of the obstacle in response to a second inertial measurement unit measurement, and resuming the control of the vehicle speed at the first speed in response to the traverse of the obstacle.

Abstract: A single-piece, lightweight, energy-absorbing, and impact resistant battery tray for a battery enclosure for a vehicle includes a lower floor including an impact resisting structure, upwardly sloping side walls integrally formed with the lower floor, and a peripheral flange integrally formed with the upwardly sloping side walls and including an energy absorbing structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a multidirectional opening storage cover. The apparatus includes a storage cover having a right side, a left side, a front side, and a rear side, a first latch on the left side of the storage cover, a second latch on the front side of the storage cover, a third latch on the right side of the storage cover, a fourth latch on the rear side of the storage cover, a first switch on the left side of the storage cover operative to disengage the first latch, second latch and fourth latch in response to an activation of the first switch by a user, and a second switch on the right side of the storage cover operative to disengage the second latch, the third latch and the fourth latch in response to an activation of the second switch by the user.