Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for distance determinations using cameras from different vehicles. The system includes a first camera onboard a first vehicle, providing a first image, the first image having therein an object of interest (OOI) for which a distance from the first vehicle is desired; and a second camera, providing second camera data including a second image having therein the OOI. The system further includes a control module configured to process and time synchronize first camera data and second camera data to generate a distance determination for the OOI, using the first camera data, the second camera data, and a distance between the first and second camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle (AV). A scene understanding module of a high-level controller selects a particular combination of sensorimotor primitive modules to be enabled and executed for a particular driving scenario from a plurality of sensorimotor primitive modules. Each one of the particular combination of the sensorimotor primitive modules addresses a sub-task in a sequence of sub-tasks that address a particular driving scenario. A primitive processor module executes the particular combination of the sensorimotor primitive modules such that each generates a vehicle trajectory and speed profile. An arbitration module selects one of the vehicle trajectory and speed profiles having the highest priority ranking for execution, and a vehicle control module processes the selected one of vehicle trajectory and speed profiles to generate control signals used to execute one or more control actions to automatically control the AV.

Abstract: A shear thickening composition is provided. The shear thickening composition includes polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and boron. The boron is cross-linked to an oxygen atom in the PDMS to yield boron-cross-linked PDMS (B-PDMS). Vehicle parts including the shear thickening composition and methods of coating vehicle parts with the thickening composition are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle (AV). A feature map generator module generates a feature map (FM). Based on the FM, a perception map generator module generates a perception map (PM). A scene understanding module selects from a plurality of sensorimotor primitive modules (SPMs), based on the FM, a particular combination of SPMs to be enabled and executed for the particular driving scenario (PDS). Each SPM maps information from either the FM or the PM to a vehicle trajectory and speed profile (VTSP) for automatically controlling the AV to cause the AV to perform a specific driving maneuver. Each one of the particular combination of the SPMs addresses a sub-task in a sequence of sub-tasks that address the PDS. Each of the particular combination of the SPMs are retrieved from memory and executed to generate a corresponding VTSP.

Abstract: Methods of removing a passivation layer on a lithium-containing electrode and preparing a protective coating on the lithium-containing electrode by applying a graphene source are provided herein. A lithium-containing electrode with the protective coating including graphene and lithium-containing electrochemical cells including the same are also provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an aftertreatment system of a vehicle. A system operating mode is determined for an aftertreatment device having an electrical heating element. A weighting coefficient is set based on the determined system operating mode. An optimized electrical heat input and an optimized engine heat input are determined based on the weighting coefficient. The aftertreatment device is then controlled to a target temperature based on the optimized electrical heat input and the optimized engine heat input.

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: A method for construction zone detection is provided. The method includes automatically capturing, via an onboard optical sensor on a vehicle, a plurality of images of a road along a path traveled by the vehicle; transmitting captured images to an off-board datacenter; identifying, by a processor in the vehicle, images that provide evidence of the existence of a construction zone on the road; transmitting, to the datacenter, location data identifying the location of the construction zone; and transmitting, to the datacenter, data identifying the frames of image data that provide evidence of the existence of the construction zone. A mapper can review the location data and the image data to confirm the existence of a construction zone and cause the location of the construction zone to be added to a listing of active construction zones, wherein the listing can be provided to autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device for a vehicle, having a projection device for projecting information onto a projection surface of the vehicle, and a control unit for switching on and off the light emission of the projection device with pulse-width modulation (PWM), at a control frequency fA. The control unit is configured to determine a excitation frequency fE and to adjust the control frequency fA according to the determined excitation frequency fE.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle (AV). A map generator module processes sensor data to generate a world representation of a particular driving scenario (PDS). A scene understanding module (SUM) processes navigation route data, position information and a feature map to define an autonomous driving task (ADT), and decomposes the ADT into a sequence of sub-tasks. The SUM selects a particular combination of sensorimotor primitive modules (SPMs) to be enabled and executed for the PDS. Each one of the SPMs addresses a sub-task in the sequence. A primitive processor module executes the particular combination of the SPMs such that each generates a vehicle trajectory and speed (VTS) profile.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, an obstacle management method includes receiving, via one or more sensing devices, sensor data relating to an environment associated with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is substantially stationary and has an intended path corresponding to entering a traffic flow of a first lane. The method includes determining the presence of an obstacle that at least partially occludes a view of the first lane by a first sensing device of the one or more sensing devices, and positioning, with a processor, the vehicle with respect to the obstacle to improve the view of the first lane by the first sensing device without significantly obstructing the first lane. The first lane is then monitored via the first sensing device to determine when the intended path clear.

Abstract: A rolling bearing arrangement is provided for a switching device for switching a manual transmission. The rolling bearing arrangement includes at least one rolling bearing having an outer shell, a cage axially displaceable in the outer shell, and a plurality of rolling elements guided by the cage and radially supported on the outer shell. A rod having a switch axis is supported rotatably and axially displaceably by the rolling elements. The rod has an axial stop for securing the cage in a form-fitting manner with vertically aligned rod in an upper position against a downward axial displacement.

Abstract: A differential housing includes a body including an outer surface. The body has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A ring gear support member extends outwardly of the body at the second end. A ring gear support surface forms a first section of the intermediate portion. The ring gear support surface defines a first outer diameter of the intermediate portion. A ring gear is mounted to the outer surface of the body. The ring gear includes an inner annular surface having a first region defining a first inner diameter and a second region defining a second inner diameter. The first region includes a sawtooth profile to establish a desired alignment of the ring gear and the body and the second region facilitating an interference fit with the ring gear support surface.

Abstract: A system and method of testing one or more operations of a vehicle system module (VSM) using computer-based audio recognition techniques, wherein the method is carried out by a computer that includes or is connected to a microphone, wherein the VSM includes or is connected to an audio speaker, and wherein the method includes the steps of: carrying out one or more initial VSM test actions; listening for one or more audio signals from the VSM audio speaker using the computer microphone; processing the one or more audio signals using computer-based audio-recognition technique(s); and determining whether the one or more performed VSM operations correspond to one or more VSM test actions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling fuel injections by a fuel injector in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. First and second fuel injections are applied in each cycle of a piston in the cylinder. First and second electronic control signals are applied to the fuel injector to generate first and second fuel injections by the fuel injector during a first cycle of the piston. A hydraulic fusion state of the generated first and second fuel injections is determined. A parameter of the applied first and second electronic control signals is adjusted in response to determining the hydraulic fusion state and applied to the fuel injector to generate first and second fuel injections by the fuel injector during a second cycle of the piston subsequent to the first cycle.

Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ?about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for determining thickness of a brake pad includes a controller configured to provide a total braking energy of a vehicle with a regenerative energy braking system, and a rotor braking system that includes a plurality of brake pads. The system controller determines the work done by the brake pads as a combination of front brake pad work and rear brake pad work, then accumulates the brake pad wear to provide an estimation of the brake pad thickness using the front brake pad work and the rear brake pad work.