Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for localizing a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, radar data from a radar of the vehicle; creating, by the processor, a local map based on the radar data; retrieving, by the processor, a map of an environment from a datastore based on a predicted vehicle pose; correlating, by the processor, the local map and the retrieved map; determining, by the processor, a localized vehicle pose based on the correlating; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle based on the localized vehicle pose.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, vehicle position data from the vehicle; processing, by the processor, vehicle position data with vehicle position data from other vehicles to determine a lane topology; processing, by the processor, the vehicle position data to determine traffic conditions within a lane of the lane topology; generating, by the processor, a map for controlling the vehicle based on the lane topology and the traffic conditions.

Abstract: A system for correcting HD map images is provided. The system is configured to: receive, from a plurality of vehicles, ground view image data of a map anomaly hotspot captured by the vehicles; convert the ground view image data to bird view image data using homography; remove outliers from the bird view image data; apply an error reduction algorithm; stitch together a sequence of consecutive images from the image data after error reduction to produce a high-definition image, wherein each of the consecutive images has been generated through converting ground view image data to bird view image data using homography, removing outliers from the bird view image data, and applying an error reduction algorithm; compare the stitched sequence of consecutive images to a high-definition image of the hotspot to determine revisions to the high-definition image; and provide revised high-definition image data for use in navigating near the map anomaly hotspot.

Abstract: A rideshare system including: a memory including executable instructions; a controller to execute the executable instructions; one or more mobile computing devices configured to transmit pickup location data and drop-off location data to the controller; a rideshare vehicle configured to transmit vehicle location data to the controller; and where the executable instructions enable the controller to: receive the pickup location data from the one or more mobile computing devices; receive the drop-off location data from the one or more mobile computing devices; receive vehicle location data from the rideshare vehicle; based on the pickup location data, drop-off location data, and vehicle location data, calculate rideshare service priority variable data for each of the one or more mobile computing devices; transmit, to the rideshare vehicle, the rideshare service priority variable data, pickup location data, and drop-off location data for at least one of the one or more mobile computing devices.

Abstract: A tie down anchor tension monitoring system includes a tension level monitoring module and at least one tie down anchoring point integrated into a cargo carrying space configured for connecting to a free end of a cargo tie down strap. The system further includes at least one tension level monitoring sensor integrated with the at least one tie down anchoring point, wherein the at least one tension monitoring sensor is configured to output a signal to the tension monitoring module that is indicative of a tension level of the cargo tie down strap.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain thermal management system for distributing thermal energy to vehicle powertrain components, including an engine and a transmission. The system for managing heat energy includes a coolant pump, a first control valve, a second control valve, a radiator, a heater core, and a transmission oil heat exchanger. The first control valve has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the engine coolant outlet. The first control valve also has a first control valve outlet. The second control valve has a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and a third outlet. Heat energy produced by the engine is transferred to the radiator through control of the first control valve and to at least one of the heater core, and the transmission oil heat exchanger through the control of the second control valve.

Abstract: A system for determining seatbelt routing. The system includes a seatbelt retractor, a guide loop, a seatbelt latchplate, a seatbelt buckle, a seatbelt buckle sensor, a first RFID tag, RFID reader, and a control module. The seatbelt retractor stores a length of seatbelt webbing. The guide loop changes a routing direction of the seatbelt webbing. The seatbelt latchplate is engaged with the seatbelt webbing. The seatbelt buckle is secured to the motor vehicle and engages the latchplate. The seatbelt buckle sensor for detects the presence of the latchplate in the seatbelt buckle. The first RFID tag is attached to the seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt. The RFID reader detects the presence of the first RFID tag. The control module determines the seatbelt routing based on whether the seatbelt is buckled and the detection of the first RFID tag by the RFID reader.

Abstract: A system to identify vision sensor impairment, the system including: a memory with one or more executable instructions; a controller to execute the executable instructions; a vision sensor located on a vehicle to capture at least one image of at least a portion of an environment surrounding the vehicle; where the executable instructions enable the controller to: receive a request communicated from a mobile computing device; in response to the request, communicate an activation signal to the vision sensor, the activation signal to activate the vision sensor to capture an image of the environment surrounding the vehicle; receive the captured image from the vision sensor; determine whether the view of the captured image includes a substantially impairing weather debris object; and based on this determination, generate a notification and communicate the notification to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Methods for making an electrode, such as a negative electrode or a positive electrode, for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, are provided. The method includes a cross-linking step and a carbonizing step. The cross-linking step includes cross-linking a first mixture including a polymeric binder and an electroactive material including silicon, lithium, graphite, and a combination thereof to form a cross-linked intermediate electrode. The cross-linked intermediate electrode includes the electroactive material dispersed within the polymeric binder, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric binder is cross-linked. The carbonizing step includes plasma treating the cross-linked intermediate electrode or exposing the cross-linked intermediate electrode to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In certain aspects, electrolytic deposition and electroless displacement deposition methods are provided to form bimetallic structures that may be used as a bipolar current collector in a battery or a substrate for forming graphene sheets. In other aspects, bipolar current collectors for lithium-ion based electrochemical cells are provided. The bimetallic current collector may have an aluminum-containing surface and a continuous copper coating. In other aspects, a flexible substrate may be coated with one or more conductive materials, like nickel, copper, graphene, aluminum, alloys, and combinations thereof. The flexible substrate is folded to form a bipolar current collector. New stack assemblies for lithium-ion based batteries incorporating such bipolar current collectors are also provided that can have cells with a tab-free and/or weld-free design.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a windshield on a motor vehicle includes a base, a handler, one or more spring assemblies positioned between the base and the handler, the one or more spring assemblies connected to the base and coupled to the handler to allow the handler to float relative to the base, a vibrator attached to the base, and one or more stoppers attached to the base, the one or more stoppers configured for placement between the base and the windshield for transmission of vibration generated by the vibrator to the windshield while the one or more spring assemblies minimizes the transmission of vibration from the base to the handler.

Abstract: Magnesium-aluminum corrosion-resistant alloys are provided and include magnesium, aluminum, germanium, small amounts of cathodic reaction active site impurities such as iron, copper, nickel, and cobalt, manganese, and optionally tin. The alloy can include up to about 0.75% germanium, at least about 2.5% aluminum, up to about 2.25% tin, at most 0.0055% iron impurities, and at most 0.125% silicon impurities. The ratio of germanium to iron can be less than 150. The ratio of manganese to iron can be at least 75. The alloy can comprise one or more intermetallic complexes, including magnesium-germanium, magnesium-aluminum, and aluminum-manganese intermetallic complexes.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, a sensor configured to capture images of a region exterior to the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator according to a primary mode and a secondary mode. The controller is additionally configured to detect liquid on a driving surface proximate the vehicle, to estimate a depth of the liquid based on images captured by the sensor, and to control the actuator in the secondary mode in response to the depth exceeding a predefined threshold.

Abstract: An ionic liquid electrolyte composition is provided. The ionic liquid electrolyte composition includes an ionic liquid, a conductive salt, and optionally a stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent is an oxidant, an interface additive, a co-solvent, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon-carbon composite electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell includes forming an electrode by pyrolyzing at least a portion of a polymer in an assembly to form pyrolyzed carbon. The assembly includes an electrode precursor in electrical contact with a current collector. The electrode precursor includes a polymer and an electroactive material. The electroactive material includes silicon. The current collector includes an electrically-conductive material. The pyrolyzing includes directing an energy stream toward a surface of the electrode precursor. The surface is disposed opposite the current collector. The silicon-carbon composite electrode assembly includes the electrode and the current collector. In certain variations, the energy stream includes a laser beam or a plasma jet. In certain aspects, the electrode defines a concentration gradient between a first surface and a second surface.

Abstract: Methods of forming a plurality of axial geometry carbon structures (e.g., carbon nanotubes or carbon fibers) in situ in an electrode of an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided. Electroactive particles that undergo volumetric expansion are mixed with a polymer precursor and a plurality of catalytic nanoparticles comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of: iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys, and combinations thereof to form a substantially homogeneous slurry. The slurry is applied to a substrate and then heated in an environment having a temperature of ?about 1000° C. and in certain aspects, ?about 895° C. to pyrolyze the polymer precursor. The plurality of catalytic nanoparticles facilitates in situ precipitation of carbon to grow a plurality of axial geometry carbon structures. After the heating, the electrode includes an electrically conductive carbonaceous porous network comprising the plurality of electroactive particles and the plurality of axial geometry carbon structures.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery is provided that includes a positive electrode with a positive electroactive material that in a charged state includes lithium iron (II) orthosilicate (Li2FeSiO4) and in a discharged state includes FeSiO4 or LiFeSiO4. A negative electrode includes phosphorene. A separator is disposed between the positive and negative electrodes. An electrolyte has an organic solvent especially containing ether-based organic solvents and a lithium salt that provides a conductive medium for lithium ions to transfer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Such a rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides advantageous power delivery, long driving ranges, and fast charge to enhance widespread use of batteries, especially in vehicles. Furthermore, lithium plating can be minimized or avoided, even at low temperature charging. Methods of recharging a rechargeable lithium-ion battery at low temperatures are also provided.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. One or more of the separator, positive electrode, and negative electrode includes a transition metal compound capable of catalyzing any gaseous reactants formed in the lithium ion battery to form a liquid. The transition metal compound may include ruthenium (Ru). In certain variations, the lithium ion battery includes an electrolyte that is a conductive medium for lithium ions to move between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte comprises a transition metal compound capable of catalyzing a reaction of any gaseous reactants to form a liquid.

Abstract: A thin film, flexible, co-planar waveguide (CPW), antenna structure suitable to be mounted on vehicle glass and that has particular application for MIMO LTE applications in, for example, the 0.46-3.8 GHz frequency band. The antenna structure includes a planar antenna formed on a substrate that includes a ground plane having an elliptical cut-out slot section defined within an outer perimeter portion of the ground plane and an antenna radiating element extending into the slot from the perimeter portion.

Abstract: A latching assembly includes a hinge defining a slot, the slot having a slot length and a slot width, wherein the slot length is greater than the slot width, and a latching actuator having a housing and a plunger partially disposed in the housing, the plunger configured to translate and rotate relative to the housing, the plunger having a distal end with a plunger end length and a plunger end width, wherein the plunger end length is greater than the plunger end width, the plunger configured to be inserted into the slot. The plunger end length is greater than the slot width and the plunger end length is less than the slot length by a clearance amount.