Abstract: A system for end to end prediction of lane detection uncertainty includes a sensor device of a host vehicle generating data related to a road surface and a navigation controller including a computerized processor operable to monitor an input image from the sensor device, utilize a convolutional neural network to analyze the input image and output a lane prediction and a lane uncertainty prediction, and generate a commanded navigation plot based upon the lane prediction and the lane uncertainty prediction. The convolutional neural network is initially trained using a per point association and error calculation, including associating a selected ground truth lane to a selected set of data points related to a predicted lane and then associating at least one point of the selected ground truth lane to a corresponding data point from the selected set of data points related to the predicted lane.

Abstract: A method of forming additive energy directors according to various exemplary embodiments can include dispensing a molten material onto a substrate at a predetermined location. The method also includes solidifying the molten material to form at least one additive energy director onto the substrate.

Abstract: A controller executes a method to manage an engine connect/disconnect decision in a powertrain having an engine, transmission, electric machine, and a battery pack and power inverter module (“TPIM”). In response to vehicle ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level, the controller calculates a delta APS (“?APS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level. The scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the latter populated based on inverter temperature, state of charge of the battery pack, and ground speed. When the ?APS value exceeds a threshold, the controller connects the engine to the transmission via an engine disconnect clutch. The engine is disconnected based on acceleration of the vehicle and the above-noted factors.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to establish a deployment force for an airbag of a vehicle, the system includes: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the following steps: monitoring a head position of a vehicle occupant; based on the monitored head position, calculating a distance of a body part of a vehicle operator relative to a portion of an interior cabin of the vehicle; and based on the distance of the body part, establishing the deployment force for the airbag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are described. A trajectory planner module provides a first trajectory to a trajectory control module. The trajectory control module determines parameters of the first trajectory. The trajectory control module compares the parameters to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module obtains one or more alternative trajectories, determines parameters of each alternative trajectory, and compares the parameters of the alternative trajectory to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module selects a trajectory for controlling the autonomous vehicle that has parameters which are within a range defined by the threshold values and controls the autonomous vehicle based on the selected trajectory. Thus, before handing back control to a driver, the trajectory control module selects from alternate trajectories for controlling the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A planar power module includes a second substrate arranged parallel to a first substrate, with the substrates respectively having a dielectric layer interposed between two conductive layers, such that one of the conductive layers of each substrate together forms parallel external conductive surfaces of the power module. The power module includes direct current (DC) bus bars, alternating current (AC) bus bars, and semiconductor switching dies arranged between the substrates. The dies are electrically connected to the bus bars, with each respective die electrically connected to a conductive layers of the first or second substrates. A polymer molding material partially surrounds the substrates and the switching dies. An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine, a propulsion battery pack, and a traction power inverter module (TPIM) having the power module. The power module is a three-phase full-bridge inverter circuit. An electric powertrain and motor vehicle use the power module.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and control system for a battery cell include a heat exchanger in thermal contact with the battery cell, and a first controller. The first controller connects to the heat exchanger, and monitors the battery cell. The first controller includes a reduced order electrochemical model, a heat generation model, and a heat generation controller. The first controller determines a target parameter for the battery cell, and determines battery cell parameters. The reduced order electrochemical model determines internal ROM variables based upon the battery cell parameters. The heat generation model determines an electrochemical heat generation parameter from the battery cell based upon the internal ROM variables and the target parameter for the battery cell. The heat generation controller determines a heat work parameter based upon the electrochemical heat generation and the target parameter for the battery cell. The heat exchanger is controlled based upon the heat work parameter.

Abstract: A method for updating a localization of an autonomous vehicle includes receiving perception input data from a sensor of the autonomous vehicle and receiving map data including road lane information in a vicinity of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes processing the perception input data to extract perceived road lane information including a perceived x position, a perceived y position, a perceived z position, a perceived lane type, a perceived lane color, and a perceived lane curvature and processing the map data to extract map road lane information including a map x position, a map y position, a map z position, a map lane type, a map lane color, and a map lane curvature. The method includes calculating a transformation matrix from the perceived road lane information and the map road lane information and updating the map data and a localization of the vehicle based on the transformation matrix.

Abstract: An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for implementing adaptive cruise control (ACC) established by Reinforcement Learning (RL) including executing, by a processor, adaptive cruise control to receive a set of vehicle inputs about a host vehicle's operating environment and current operations; identify, by the processor, a target vehicle operating in the host vehicle environment and quantifying a set of target vehicle parameters about the target vehicle derived from sensed inputs; modeling a state estimation of the host vehicle and the target vehicle by generating a set of speed and torque calculations about each vehicle; generating a set of results from at least one reward function based on one or more modeled state estimations of the host and target vehicle; processing the set of results with driver behavior data established by RL to correlate one or more control actions to the driver behavior data.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for providing fault tolerant provisioning verification for cryptographic keys including receiving, via an interface, a first security key, a second security key, and a first verification data generated in response to the first security key and the second security key, coupling, by a processor, the first security key and the second security key to an electronic controller, receiving, by the processor, a second verification data generated by the electronic controller in response to the first security key and the second security key, and marking, by the processor, the controller as provisioned in response to the first verification data matching the second verification data.

Abstract: An obstacle detection and notification system for a motorcycle. The system includes a forward looking camera and a backward looking camera mountable to the motorcycle and a processor in operable communication with the forward looking camera and the backward looking camera. The processor executes program instructions to execute processes including: receiving video from the of the forward looking camera and the backward looking camera, performing a computer vision and machine learning based object detection and tracking process to detect, classify and track obstacles in the video and to output detected object data, defining a blind spot region around one or more other vehicles using the detected object data, determining whether the motorcycle is located in the blind spot region, and outputting audible, tactile or visual feedback, via an output system, to a rider of the motorcycle when the motorcycle is determined to be located in the blind spot region.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a camera from foreign debris incudes a first body and a second body removably coupled to the first body. The first body has a first inner surface and a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface. The first inner surface defines a first cavity. The first inner surface has an inner circumference. The first body includes a protrusion extending directly from the first inner surface toward the first cavity. The protrusion extending along an entirety of the inner circumference of the first inner surface and is shaped as a half-torus. The second body has a second inner surface and a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface. The second inner surface defines a second cavity. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the first cavity to facilitate flow of the fluid from the first cavity to the second cavity.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for intelligent wireless protocol optimization including storing, in a memory, a first customer key and a second customer key, receiving, by a processor, a secret key, decrypting, by the processor, the secret key using a first customer key to extract a master key, provisioning, by the processor, an electronic control unit in response to the master key, and deleting, by the processor, the second customer key in response to the provisioning of electronic control unit in response to the master key.

Abstract: A method of using perception-inspired event generation for situation awareness for a vehicle, including receiving perception input data from a sensor of the vehicle and processing the perception input data to classify and generate parameters related to an external entity in a vicinity of the vehicle. The method includes generating a hierarchical event structure that classifies and prioritizes the perception input data by classifying the external entity into an attention zone and prioritizing the external entity within the attention zone according to a risk level value for the external entity. A higher risk level value indicates a higher priority within the attention zone. The method further includes developing a behavior plan for the vehicle based on the hierarchical event structure.

Abstract: A modular robotic device is provided. The modular robotic device includes a robot base and a robotic manipulator connected to the robot base and operable to articulate a tool device connected to an end of the robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator includes a plurality of modular rigid segments, wherein each of the plurality of modular rigid segments includes a joint portion and each operable to be selectably connected to the robotic manipulator. The plurality of modular rigid segments is interchangeable and operable to be assembled in various combinations.

Abstract: Presented are fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite components for motor vehicles, methods for making and using such components, and motor vehicles with unitary FRP-composite vehicle roof rail-and-panel structures. A vehicle body structure for a motor vehicle includes one or more elongated support rails, each of which includes at least two contoured rail panels that are joined together to define therebetween an internal rail cavity. At least one of these contoured rail panels is formed with an FRP material. The vehicle body structure also includes a body panel that is formed with the same FRP material. The body panel includes a main panel section with one or more stepped interfaces that each projects transversely from a respective side of the main panel section and mounts thereon one of the contoured rail panels. The body panel and a contoured rail panel of each support rail are integrally formed as a single-piece, unitary structure.

Abstract: A bi-directional electrical charging system for a motor vehicle includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) configured to store a first voltage. The RESS is adapted for use with an off-board power source that is configured to store a second voltage. The system further includes an electric motor having a plurality of machine windings. The system further includes a power inverter disposed between the RESS and the off-board power source. The system is movable to a forward buck mode, a reverse buck mode, a forward boost mode, and a reverse boost mode for selectively delivering electrical power from one of the RESS and the off-board power source to the other of the RESS and the off-board power source, in response to the power inverter cycling between at least two of the ON state, the RESS OFF state, and the external OFF state.