Abstract: An electrified drivetrain for a vehicle includes a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a clutch, an HVAC compressor, and a controller. The second electric machine is rotatably coupled to a geartrain, the first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the HVAC compressor, and is rotatably couplable to the geartrain via the clutch, and the clutch is operative in a first state and a second state. The first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the first state, and is decoupled from the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the second state. The controller is operatively connected to the first and second electric machines, the clutch, and the HVAC compressor to control operation of the electrified drivetrain. The first electric machine can be used as a heater element and to provide mechanical power to the drivetrain.

Abstract: A method of maintaining stability of a motor vehicle having a first axle, a second axle, and a steering actuator configured to steer the first axle includes determining localization and heading of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a current side-slip angle of the second axle and setting a maximum side-slip angle of the second axle using the friction coefficient at the vehicle and road surface interface. The method additionally includes predicting when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded using the localization, heading, and determined current side-slip angle as inputs to a linear computational model. The method also includes updating the model using the prediction of when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded to determine impending instability of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes correcting for the impending instability using the updated model and the maximum side-slip angle via modifying a steering angle of the first axle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a remote transportation system including a first autonomous vehicle, at least one second autonomous vehicle and a remote transportation server are provided. The server includes non-transitory computer readable media and one or more processors configured by programming instructions on the non-transitory computer readable media to: receive a request for tow service from the first vehicle, wherein the request includes a location of the first autonomous vehicle; identify a towing destination for the first autonomous vehicle based on the location of the first autonomous vehicle; perform an initial fault diagnosis to determine a towing type; confirm the towing type with the first autonomous vehicle to be at least one of a ground tow, an aerial tow, and a sensor kit tow; and coordinate towing of the first autonomous vehicle to the towing destination by the at least one second autonomous vehicle based on the towing type.

Abstract: A removable roof panel system for a vehicle, includes a frame structure configured to be mounted to a roof of the vehicle. A front panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and including a front glass panel and a front panel frame. A rear panel is removably mounted to the frame structure and includes a rear glass panel and a rear panel frame. The frame structure includes a trough portion and supports a first seal configured to be disposed between the roof of the vehicle and the front and rear glass panels and a second seal disposed between the front and rear panel frames and the frame structure. A front latch system releasably secures the front panel to the frame structure and a rear latch system releasably secures the rear panel to the frame structure.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for notifying an operator of a vehicle of reverse operation of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one of sensor data and vehicle message data, wherein the sensor data is generated by a sensor of an infrastructure system, and wherein the vehicle message data is generated by a remote vehicle; determining, by the processor, a reverse operation of the remote vehicle based on the at least one of the sensor data and the vehicle message data; and generating, by the processor, notification data based on the reverse operation of the remote vehicle.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a lithium battery includes a current collector and a negative electrode layer disposed on a major surface of the current collector. The negative electrode layer exhibits a gradient structure including a proximal portion adjacent the major surface of the current collector and an opposite distal portion that defines a facing surface of the negative electrode layer. The negative electrode layer is configured such that a power density of the distal portion of the negative electrode layer is greater than that of the proximal portion of the negative electrode layer, and an energy density of the proximal portion of the negative electrode layer is greater than that of the distal portion of the negative electrode layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a coated electroactive material. The method includes providing a plurality of particles including an electroactive material. The method further includes coating the plurality of particles with a conductive polymer. The coating includes preparing a solution of water and the conductive polymer. The coating further includes forming a slurry by combining the solution with the plurality of particles. The method further includes drying the slurry to form the coated electroactive material. The coated electroactive material includes the plurality of particles. Each of the plurality of particles is at least partially coated with the conductive polymer. In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of preparing an electrode including the coated electroactive material.

Abstract: An electronic pallet (e-pallet) includes a superstructure mounted to a wheeled base platform. A tether device defines an articulation angle with respect to a leading edge of the superstructure, and is grasped by an operator towing the e-pallet. A motor connected to driven road wheels transmits a drive torque to the road wheels responsive to motor control signals, including a desired yaw rate and ground speed. A speed sensor, angle sensor, and length sensor are respectively configured to determine an actual ground speed of the e-pallet, the articulation angle, and a length of the tether device. An electronic controller, in response to the input signals, generates the motor control signals using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic. Coupled lateral and longitudinal dynamics control loops respectively determine the desired yaw rate and ground speed to accommodate for motion of the operator.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment and having opposing driver and passenger sides. The vehicle includes driver and passenger side mirrors. The driver side mirror has a sweep angle (?) and an elevation angle (?). The passenger side mirror has a sweep angle (?). The side mirrors are separated from each other by a distance (D). An adjustable driver seat has a height (H). An electronic controller, in response to position signals inclusive of angles (?), (?), and (?), the distance (D), and the height (H), calculates a three-dimensional (3D) driver head position of a driver of the vehicle, and thereafter uses the 3D driver head position to improve performance of a driver assist system device. Functions of the controller may be implemented as a method or recorded on a computer readable medium for execution by a processor.

Abstract: An anode material includes a plurality of negative solid-state electroactive particles. Each of the plurality of negative solid-state electroactive particles may include a lithium-doped silicon oxide and a solid electrolyte coating at least substantially continuously disposed over substantially all of the surface of the lithium-doped silicon oxide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a remote transportation system including a first autonomous vehicle, at least one second autonomous vehicle and a remote transportation server are provided. The at least one second autonomous vehicle includes non-transitory computer readable media and one or more processors configured by programming instructions on the non-transitory computer readable media to: receive a request for tow service from the remote transportation server, wherein the request includes a location of the first autonomous vehicle; locate and identify the first autonomous vehicle based on the request; create a communicate link between the first autonomous vehicle and the second autonomous vehicle; select at least one of a centralized towing method and a projection-based towing method based on the request; and perform autonomous towing of the first autonomous vehicle based on the selected of the at least one of the centralized towing method and the projection-based towing method.

Abstract: A weld system includes: a robot control module configured to actuate a robot and move a welder along a joint of metal workpieces during welding, the welder being attached to the robot; a weld control module configured to, during the welding, apply power to the welder, supply a shield gas, and supply electrode material; a vision sensor configured to, during the welding, optically measure distances between the vision sensor and locations, respectively, on an outer surface of a weld bead created along the joint by the welder; and a weld module configured to: determine a strength of the weld bead at a location based on: the distances at the location along the joint; and at least one parameter from at least one of the robot control module during the welding, the weld control module during the welding, and a sensor configured to capture data of the welding during the welding.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to over-lithiated positive electroactive materials for use within an electrochemical cell. For example, the electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode that includes an over-lithiated positive electroactive material that includes one of LixMn2O4 (where 1.05?x?1.30) and LiMn(2?x)NixO4 (where 0?x?0.5). The electrochemical cell can include a negative electrode that includes a silicon-containing negative electroactive material having a Columbic Efficiency greater than or equal to about 80% and less than or equal to about 90%.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium ion battery includes a nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent. The organic solvent includes a cyclic carbonate, an acyclic carbonate, and an acyclic fluorinated ether for improved low temperature and high voltage performance as well as enhanced thermostability. The ether group has a general formula of R1—O—[R3—O]n—R2, where n=0 or 1, R1 and R2 are each straight-chain C1-C6 fluoroalkyl groups, and, when n=1, R3 is a methylene group or a polyethylene group.

Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a positive electroactive material. The positive electroactive material includes a phospho-olivine compound. The negative electrode includes lithium metal. The separator is between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. The electrolyte includes a ternary salt and a solvent. The ternary salt includes LiPF6, LiFSI, and LiClO4.