Abstract: Technologies for steering sensors in a sensor carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a sensor positioning platform on an AV can include an actuator system including a motor configured to move and reposition a sensor carrier structure having a plurality of sensors; a motor controller configured to receive instructions for controlling the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure and, based on the instructions, send to the motor control signals configured to control the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure; one or more hoses arranged within tubes mounted to a portion of the actuator system and configured to output sensor cleaning substances through a thru-bore on the actuator system; and one or more cleaning systems configured to receive the sensor cleaning substances and spray the sensor cleaning substances on one or more sensors on the sensor carrier structure.

Abstract: A transformable knob for a vehicle comprises an axle extending along an axis and a body mounted to the axle and rotatable about the axis. The body comprises a face plate and a periphery wall defining a cavity, and with the periphery wall arranged to flex relative to the axis. The transformable knob comprises a plurality of engagement arms disposed within the cavity and movable toward and away from the axis, with the plurality of engagement arms configured to selectively engage and flex the periphery wall between first and second configurations. The transformable knob comprises an actuator in engagement with the plurality of engagement arms and arranged to move between first and second positions, with movement of the actuator facilitating corresponding movement of the plurality of engagement arms to flex the periphery wall between the first and second configurations, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-function onboard charging module (OBCM) operable for charging a battery pack using a wide variety of offboard charging systems, such as to enable the OBCM to charge a battery pack using electrical power provided from different types of direct current (DC), single-phase alternating current (AC), and/or three-phase AC offboard charging systems.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a system operating a method of controlling a temperature at a battery cell of the vehicle. The system includes the battery cell, a temperature sensor and a processor. The battery cell has a tab for flow of current to and from the battery cell. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a cell temperature of the battery cell at a location away from the tab. The processor is configured to predict a tab temperature from the cell temperature, and control a power supplied to a load from the battery cell based on the tab temperature.

Abstract: An AV sensor can be cleaned by charging a conductive layer over a sensor surface. The conductive layer may be positively or negatively charged and can repel contaminants having the same polarity away from the sensor. The charging of the conductive layer can be triggered by a determination that the sensor needs cleaning, which can be based on sensor data captured by the sensor or a different sensor. The charging of the conductive layer may include one or more charging cycles, each of which includes charging the conductive layer with two opposing polarities. Another conductive layer may be over the conductive layer. The other conductive layer can be charged with an opposite polarity from the conductive layer so that an electric field is present between the two conductive layers. A piezoelectric layer between the two conductive layers can vibrate under the electric field. The vibration can enhance the cleaning.

Abstract: A system for transferring DC electric power to a DC electric power system includes an electric power source, a DC-DC power converter, a system power bus including a capacitor, a first current sensor, a second current sensor, a third current sensor, and a controller. The DC-DC power converter includes a switched inductance circuit including an inductor, a high-voltage switch, and a diode. The second current sensor monitors a second current in the system power bus between the DC-DC power converter and the capacitor. The controller determines a parametric setpoint for the system power bus, determines the first current, the second current, and the third current in the system power bus, and controls the switching DC-DC power converter based upon the parametric setpoint, the first current, the second current, and the third current.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separating layer that physically separates the first and second electrodes, and a porous layer disposed between the separating layer and the first electrode. The porous layer includes a porous material having a plurality of pores and a lithiating material that at least partially fills the pores of the plurality. The porous layer can be a continuous coating disposed on a surface of the separating layer opposing the first electrode or a continuous coating disposed on a surface of the first electrode opposing the separating layer. The porous material can include zeolites, aerogels, silicon oxides, porous aluminum oxides, titanium oxides, manganese oxides, and/or magnesium oxides. The lithiating material can include lithium peroxide and can fill between about 30 and about 60% of the pores of the porous material.

Abstract: A method is described and includes detecting by a vehicle an ambiguous situation involving the vehicle; classifying the detected ambiguous situation; and submitting in substantially real-time a request for remote assistance by a remote advisor to resolve the detected ambiguous situation, wherein contents of the request are based at least in part on the classifying.

Abstract: There is disclosed an autonomous vehicle (AV), including an AV chassis comprising a drive system and a cabin comprising a plurality of cabin controls; an AV controller, including a processor circuit and a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions to instruct the processor circuit to operate the drive system in a fully autonomous configuration; actuators to electronically operate the cabin controls; a communication circuit with wireless communication capability; and instructions encoded within the memory to further instruct the processor circuit to: receive a remote cabin control command; and in response to the remote cabin control command, operate a cabin control.

Abstract: A method of making a capacitor-assisted hybrid electrode for a lithium-ion electrochemical cell includes admixing a solvent, a cellulose-based dispersant, and a plurality of capacitive particles comprising carbon to form a dispersion. The cellulose-based dispersant forms hydrogen bonds with one or more carbonyl-groups on the capacitive particles comprising carbon. The dispersion is combined with an electroactive material, an electrically conductive material, and a binder to form a slurry. The slurry is applied to a current collector and solidified to form the capacitor-assisted hybrid electrode having a composite hybrid active layer on the current collector. Capacitor-assisted hybrid electrodes formed from such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system for dynamic authorization, entitlements, and conditional capabilities by operational context to authorize operating a vehicle in conjunction with a remote cloud unit is provided. The system includes a vehicle operational system providing a functional output and a computerized controller within the vehicle. The controller includes programming to collect data from a plurality of sources related to operation of the vehicle and provide the data to a plurality of operating context analyzers to generate an operating context. The controller further includes programming to receive an authorization to operate the vehicle operational system and selectively enable operation of the vehicle operational system based upon the authorization. The system further includes the plurality of operating context analyzers determining the operating context.

Abstract: A methodology is described for determining a time for responding to an initial encounter by a vehicle with a map error in a map segment, wherein the initial encounter is detected by a detector. A method includes identifying an error type associated with the map error, wherein the error type is one of a first error type and a second error type; determining at least one additional factor associated with the initial encounter; determining a response time for the map error based on the error type and the at least one additional factor; and initiating a mitigating action in response to the initial encounter within the response time, wherein the response time comprises an amount of time from the initial encounter with the map error to a time at which a mitigating action should be taken.

Abstract: A light inspection system positions an autonomous vehicle (AV) in a field of view of a camera such that the camera captures an image of a light of the AV. The light inspection system instructs a camera to capture an image of the light while the light is switched on. The light inspection system receives the captured image, determines a luminance of the light based on the image, and determines to service the light in response to the luminance of the light being below a threshold luminance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include obtaining first camera images of a parking location before a vehicle is parked at the parking location; obtaining second camera images of the parking location after the vehicle is parked at the parking location; and detecting, via a processor, a fluid leak for the vehicle based on a comparison of the first camera images and the second camera images.

Abstract: Liquid cleaning systems for cleaning AV sensors are disclosed herein. An example liquid cleaning system includes a reservoir storing a liquid. The liquid can flow from the reservoir to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can transfer heat generated by a part of the AV to the liquid, thereby improving cleaning efficacy. The part may be battery, motor, engine, sensor (e.g., the sensor to be cleaned with the liquid or another sensor), etc. The heat may be an unintended product of an operation of the part. The heat exchanger can use the heat to warm up the liquid and cool down the part. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid can be heated by another heat exchanger or a heater. The heater can generate heat intended for heating the liquid. The heater may be local to the sensor to be cleaned, e.g., the heater is closer to the sensor than the reservoir.

Abstract: A map database stores data describing a set of connected roadways, each having one or more lanes. A coverage system selects lanes from the map database along which AVs can stop, such as parking lanes. The coverage system generates buffer regions for each of the stopping lanes, where each buffer region includes an area within a given distance of the respective lane. The coverage system combines the buffer regions to generate a coverage area, and provides a display of the coverage area overlayed over a map of roads corresponding to the coverage area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing guidance to an operator of a vehicle when a vehicle is towing a trailer with a boat. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device, change in height data associated with the vehicle and the trailer; computing, by a processor, a float point of the boat along a boat ramp at a launch site based on the change in height data stored in the data storage device; and generating, by the processor, guidance data based on a location of the vehicle and the float point.

Abstract: A ride evaluation platform can evaluate ride services provided by AVs to users, e.g., to determine whether the users are satisfied with the rider services so that the users will request more ride services. The ride evaluation platform may identify and classify operational behaviors of an AV based on a record of the AV's operation for providing a ride service. The ride evaluation platforms can further detect defects in the ride service based on the classifications of operational behaviors of AVs, user expressions that indicate one or more user sentiments towards the ride service, one or more conditions of an environment in which the AV operated for providing the ride service, or some combination thereof. The ride evaluation platform may determine a score for the ride service based on the defects. The score may indicate a likelihood of the user would request another ride service provided by an AV.

Abstract: A die casting mold may be made of an iron alloy including, by mass: about 1% to about 6% nickel, about 0.1% to about 5% copper, about 0.2% to about 2.5% aluminum, about 0.5% to about 2% manganese, and about 0.05% to about 0.2% carbon. The iron alloy may be formed into an initial shape of the die casting mold, heated to a temperature greater than or equal to about 900° C. and then cooled to form a supersaturated solid solution of iron and dissolved alloying elements. Then, the iron alloy may be heated at a temperature sufficient to precipitate intermetallic nanoparticles from the supersaturated solid solution to form an intermetallic precipitate phase dispersed throughout an iron-based matrix phase. A layer of iron alloy material disposed at and along a surface of the iron alloy may exhibit a deformed microstructure indicative of a machining direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is described and includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one connector on a first surface thereof; a cold plate connected to the first surface of the PCB. The cold plate includes at least one tube disposed in a first portion of the cold plate and at least one opening for receiving the at least one connector therethrough, the at least one opening disposed in a second portion of the cold plate. The apparatus further includes a housing including a lower housing portion for supporting the PCB and the cold plate such that the PCB is between the lower housing portion and the cold plate and an upper housing portion over the first portion of the cold plate. The second portion of the cold plate is exposed outside the upper housing portion when the upper and lower housing portions are fastened together.