Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving sensor data sensed from an environment of the autonomous vehicle; receiving comfort data indicating a comfort level of a user of the autonomous vehicle; determining a vibration level based on the sensor data; build a map of vibration data based on the vibration level and an association with a geographic location of a road; selecting a lane for travel along the road based on the map; and controlling the autonomous vehicle to travel in the selected lane when following a route.

Abstract: A seat cushion is provided. The seat cushion includes a first cushion comprising a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side or the top side includes a contoured area and the contoured area has a convex or a concave shape.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method for electric overcurrent protection, the method including: calculating, via a controller, a system electric current sum; receiving, via the controller, audio production electric current data; comparing, via the controller, the system electric current sum and audio production electric current data; and when the audio production electric current data exceeds the system electric current sum, invoke a fail-soft action configured to prevent electric overcurrent from being delivered to an audio speaker.

Abstract: A lithium-based electrode assembly and methods of formation relating thereto are provided. The lithium-based electrode assembly comprises a metal current collector, an electrode comprising lithium metal, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween. The intermediate layer comprising an intermetallic compound comprising the lithium metal of the electrode and a metal selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, silver, gold, barium, bismuth, boron, calcium, cadmium, carbon, gallium, germanium, mercury, indium, iridium, lead, palladium, platinum, rhodium, antimony, selenium, silicon, tin, strontium, sulfur, tellurium, zinc, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An Aluminum-Silicon casting alloy for use in high temperature service conditions. The alloy composition includes, by weight percentage, from about 5.00% to about 17.00% Silicon (Si), from about 0.00% to about 0.90% Iron (Fe), from about 0.00% to about 1.00% Manganese (Mn); from about 0.000% to about 0.018% Strontium (Sr), from about 0.00% to about 2.00% Copper (Cu), from about 0.00% to about 0.50% Magnesium (Mg), from about 0.00% to about 0.05% Zinc (Zn), from about 0.01% to about 0.10% Boron (B); and a balance of Aluminum (Al).

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simultaneously transmitting multiple lasers in an array and resolving angular ambiguities using a plurality of horizontal detectors and a plurality of vertical detectors.

Abstract: A system for and method of displaying multiple images on an electronic display included in a vehicle. The method may include altering the position or one or more properties of a secondary image based on whether an object is detected in a primary image. The electronic display can be an electronic display mirror providing a view of an area behind the vehicle as the primary image.

Abstract: A method to prevent parasitic current drain of a vehicle battery includes shutting off the vehicle ignition to initiate a power down sequence of electronic control units, and detecting an excessive current draw condition from the vehicle battery after the vehicle ignition is shut off for a predetermined period of time. After verifying that an excessive current draw condition exists by analyzing data collected from the vehicle, the method continues with powering up the electronic control units on a vehicle communications network and broadcasting a system state equals run, and broadcasting a system state equals off on the vehicle communications network after the electronic control units have reached steady state operation.

Abstract: In an example, a system is disclosed. The system includes a rotor position estimation module configured to generate an adjustment signal to adjust a desired torque signal for a motor. The rotor position estimation module includes a sensor offset estimation module configured to estimate an offset position of a sensor based on (1) a motor current signal indicative of a current to rotate a rotor within the motor, (2) a motor voltage signal indicative of a voltage applied to a power inverter that provides the current to the motor, and (3) a motor parameter. The sensor can be disposed on the rotor. The rotor position estimation module also includes a speed adjustment module configured to generate the adjustment signal based on the estimated offset position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a radar system of a vehicle. One or more transmitters are configured to transmit radar signals. A plurality of antennas or arrays are configured to operate at a common frequency and a method and system for generating random frame intervals and receiving the radar signals in response to the random frame intervals.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to antennas embedded in or on glass structures. More specifically, the application teaches a wideband coplanar antenna employing a slot shape in the ground plane configured to accomplish a broadband frequency response wherein the two axis of symmetry in the antenna design are fragmented in order to maximize resonances of RF currents over broader frequency bands.

Abstract: A negative lithium-containing electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided, along with methods of making such a negative lithium-containing electrode. The method includes depositing a first precursor and a second precursor in a vapor deposition process onto one or more surface regions of a negative electrode material comprising lithium. The first precursor and the second precursor react to form an inorganic-organic composite surface coating on the one or more surface regions. The first precursor comprises an organic mercapto-containing silane and the second precursor comprises an inorganic silane.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to antennas embedded in or on glass structures. More specifically, the application teaches a method and apparatus for camouflaging near-transparent conductors by adding additional conductive or non-conductive materials of non-conductive areas by applying the additional materials in the same plane or a different plane than the antenna.

Abstract: A system includes an object identification module, a tailgate position module, and a user interface device (UID) control module. The object identification module is configured to identify at least one of a bumper of a vehicle and a tailgate of the vehicle in an image captured by a camera mounted to the tailgate. The tailgate position module is configured to determine that the tailgate is closed when the bumper is identified in the image, and determine that the tailgate is open when at least one of: the tailgate is identified in the image; and the bumper is not identified in the image. The UID control module is configured to adjust operation of a user interface device based on whether the tailgate is open or closed.

Abstract: A deployable containment system of a vehicle includes a pair of guide channels that surround an opening facing one of a forward direction of travel of the vehicle and a backward direction of travel of the vehicle. Each of the guide channels has a first end and a second end. A housing is mounted to the first ends of the guide channels. A shield is configured to: deploy from the housing; travel along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels; and cover at least a portion of the opening, An actuator is configured to, in response to being triggered, deploy the shield from the housing and move the shield along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels.

Abstract: In various embodiments, seating systems and provided for vehicles that include an occupant seat, a cargo device, and a flipper panel. The flipper panel is disposed between the occupant seat and the cargo device. The flipper panel includes a flat spring and a housing. The housing is configured to be disposed between the occupant seat and the cargo device, and includes a plurality of walls configured to hold the flat spring in place against the housing when the flipper panel is installed in the seating system for the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat for at least one occupant of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a back, and a first side component. The seat cushion has a front end, a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the front and back ends. The seat cushion includes a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion is disposed at the back end and includes a first top surface that is configured to engage the occupant. The front portion is disposed at the front end. At least one of the front and rear portions is configured to move along the longitudinal axis with respect to the other of the front and rear portions. The back is disposed at the back end of the seat cushion. The first side component is coupled to the back. The first side component is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a use configuration.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes an epoxy component and an additive component reactive with the epoxy component. The additive component includes an imidazole present in an amount of less than or equal to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the adhesive composition, and an amine present in an amount of less than or equal to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the adhesive composition. The epoxy component and the additive component are present in the adhesive composition in a ratio of from 1:1 to 15:1. A method of forming a component includes curing the adhesive composition at a temperature of less than or equal to 150° C. for less than or equal to 30 minutes to thereby join the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a sinter-resistant catalyst include forming a dual coating system. A surface of a particulate catalyst support contacts a first liquid precursor including a metal salt with an element selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), cerium (Ce), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and combinations thereof. The first liquid precursor precipitates or is adsorbed as an ion on a portion of the surface forming a first coating including a porous metal oxide on the surface. The surface may be contacted with a second liquid precursor including a metal oxide sol including a metal selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), cerium (Ce), zirconium (Zr), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), and combinations thereof. A second coating is formed from the second liquid precursor on a portion of the surface to create the sinter-resistant catalyst system.

Abstract: An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.