Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: A removable panel retainer includes a flexible substrate having a surface defining a first axis. A clip member is moveably mounted to the flexible substrate in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis. A release member is moveably mounted relative to the flexible substrate along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis. Shifting the release member towards the flexible substrate releases the clip member to shift along the first axis.

Abstract: A system includes a platform to support a vehicle on a first side of the platform and a passive motion device arranged on a second side of the platform, opposite the first side, to move upon actuation. A mechanical actuator actuates the passive motion device based on movement of one or more wheels of the vehicle to change a position of the vehicle. The position of the vehicle relative to the platform is unchanged and the passive motion device is actuated by only the movement of the one or more wheels of the vehicle to change the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a plurality of battery cells organized into battery modules and a first enclosure configured to house the battery modules. The RESS also includes a first vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air from inside the first enclosure to an environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS additionally includes a second vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air into the first enclosure from the environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS further includes a phase-change material (PCM) device arranged on the second vent and configured to melt in response to at least one of the battery modules experiencing a thermal runaway event. In combination with the first vent, the PCM generates crossflow ventilation through the first enclosure to cool the battery modules therein and mitigate thermal runaway.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform behavioral planning in an autonomous vehicle from a reference state involve generating a set of actions of a fixed size and fixed order according to a predefined methodology. Each action is a semantic instruction for a next motion of the vehicle. A set of trajectories is generated from the set of actions as an instruction indicating a path and a velocity profile to generate steering angles and accelerations for implementation by the vehicle. A trajectory filter is applied to filter the set of trajectories such that unfiltered trajectories are candidate trajectories. Applying the trajectory filter includes assessing the path and velocity profile indicated by each of the set of trajectories. A selected trajectory is used to control the vehicle or the action that corresponds to the selected trajectory is used in trajectory planning to generate a final trajectory that is used to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.

Abstract: A protection system for a battery system includes a battery control module configured to selectively open at least one contactor to isolate the battery system from a load in response to a sensed current being greater than a first threshold and within a first current range, at least one fuse connected between first and second terminals of the battery system and configured to open to isolate the battery system from the load in response to the sensed current being greater than a second threshold and within a second current range that is greater than and offset from the first current range, and an auxiliary protection module configured to selectively form a short circuit between first and second terminals in response to the sensed current being greater than the first threshold, less than the second threshold, and within a coverage gap region between the first and second current ranges.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to motion-generating particles for desulfation of lead-acid batteries, lead-acid batteries including such motion-generating particles, and methods of making and using the same. For example, the present disclosure provides a lead-acid battery including one or more electroactive plates disposed within a casing; an electrolyte disposed within the casing and surrounding the electroactive plates; a plurality of ferromagnetic particles disposed with the electrolyte within the casing; and one or more electromagnets. The one or more electromagnets may be configured to direct a magnetic field towards the electrolyte to selectively cause movement of the plurality of ferromagnetic particles so as to agitate the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors for electrically connecting to one another to close an electric circuit. The assembly further includes a connection indicator attached to one or more of the electrical connectors. The connection indicator generates a feedback, in response to the electrical connectors being one of connected to one another and disconnected from one another. The connection indicator is separate from the electric circuit, and the feedback is at least one of a radio frequency signal (RF signal), an electronic signal, a visible light, and an acoustic signal.

Abstract: A windshield corrective optical system includes a motor vehicle having a windshield. A camera is positioned within an occupant compartment of the motor vehicle directed toward the windshield and receiving light rays passing through the windshield. A sensor is configured to receive the light rays. A corrective element is configured to allow passage of the light rays through the corrective element to the sensor. The corrective element corrects aberrations of the light rays induced by passing through the windshield prior to the light rays reaching the sensor.

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: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing, and a stator mounted to the housing about the rotor. The stator includes a stator body formed from a plurality of laminations. The plurality of laminations include an outer annular surface defining a radius, an inner annular surface spaced from the rotor, and a plurality of radially inwardly extending stator teeth spaced one from another by plurality of gaps. Each of the plurality of gaps extend along the radius and include an opening exposed at the inner annular surface. The opening has a first side portion and a second side portion each extending at an angle relative to the radius.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor assembly having an outer surface and including a plurality of poles with permanent magnets. A solid layer is formed on the outer surface of the rotor assembly and has an outer surface with a first coefficient of friction that is lower than a second coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the rotor assembly. The rotor includes an outer sleeve. The rotor assembly is press-fit into the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A method for preparing a press-hardened steel component is provided. The method includes forming a heated blank by heating a steel alloy blank to a first temperature in a first zone of a furnace having two or more zones, and after the heating of the steel alloy blank to the first temperature, heating the steel alloy blank to a second temperature in a second zone of the furnace. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The first zone has a first flow rate for a protective gas, and the second zone has a second flow rate for the protective gas that is greater than the first flow rate. The method further includes stamping and quenching the heated blank at a constant rate to a temperature between a martensite finish temperature of the steel alloy defining the steel alloy blank and room temperature to form the press-hardened steel component.

Abstract: A system for optimizing charging for a vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage unit and travelling on a route includes a controller. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to obtain details of the route, including surveying local charging infrastructure to determine availability of one or more charging stations within a predefined radius of the route. The controller is adapted to obtain respective station parameters pertaining to the one or more charging stations. Based on user input, at least one session goal is selected from a predefined set of goals. The controller is adapted to generate a recommended charging profile respectively for one or more stops along the route, based in part on the session goal and the respective station parameters.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes: an electric motor including stator coils; a battery; a charge port configured to receive power from charging stations by wire; first and second electrical conductors connected between the battery and the charge port; an inverter module including (a) inputs connected to receive power from the battery and (b) outputs connected to the electric motor; a third electrical conductor; and a switch configured to electrically connect and disconnect a first end of the third electrical conductor to and from the first electrical conductor, where the third electrical conductor includes a second end that is connected to at least one of the stator coils via one of the outputs of the inverter module.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seatback, and headrest including a shell member. A release mechanism is mounted to the shell member. The release mechanism selectively locks the headrest relative to the seatback. An actuator system extends between the seatback and the headrest. The actuator system includes a sleeve having a first end fixedly connected relative to the seatback, a second end fixedly connected relative to the headrest shell, and an intermediate portion defining a longitudinal length of the sleeve, and a cable extending through the sleeve. The cable has a first end section arranged in the seatback and a second end section coupled to the release mechanism. The longitudinal length of the sleeve includes a first dimension when the seatback is in an upright position and the longitudinal length has a second, longer dimension, when the seatback is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: An event scheduling system for collecting image data related to one or more events by one or more autonomous vehicles includes a centralized scheduling system in wireless communication with one or more autonomous vehicles. Each autonomous vehicle collects the image data related to the one or more events while following a unique travel schedule. The centralized scheduling system executes instructions to determine the unique travel schedule for a specific autonomous vehicle, where the unique travel schedule directs the specific autonomous vehicle to the specific location of the filtered event to collect the image data.