Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes sensors proximate to one or more wheels that capture wheel sensor data describing wheel-road interactions. The wheel sensor data may be processed to determine characteristics of the road as the vehicle travels, describing the relative audible, vibratory, or pressure effects of the wheel-road interaction. The wheel sensor data and/or characteristics may then be used to generate a road sensor map describing locations of received wheel sensor data and/or detected road conditions. The wheel sensor data and/or road sensor map may also be used to refine or correct localization of the AV within the environment. In navigation, the AV may use a prior road sensor map for route planning and control, for example to prioritize movement over relatively smooth roads or to navigate to regions with unmapped or aging road information.

Abstract: A method and system for a target vehicle that includes an extra-vehicle communication system, a passenger cabin including an interior audio system and a visual display, and a controller is described. The controller is in communication with the extra-vehicle communication system, and operably connected to the interior audio system and the visual display. The controller includes algorithmic code that is executable to receive a proximity alert from a second vehicle via the extra-vehicle communication system, determine a location vector between the second vehicle and the target vehicle based upon the proximity alert, and control the interior audio system and the visual display to generate an alarm in response to the proximity alert, wherein the alarm generated by the interior audio system and the visual display is directionally controlled based upon the location vector. The proximity alert may be generated by an operator, or by a spatial monitoring system.

Abstract: A method for performance tuning an electronic control unit (ECU). The performance tuning may include determining one or more tunable values stored on a tunable implementation memory of the ECU to specify tunable calibration data for one or more tunable calibration parameters selected for performance tuning and controlling an application software of the ECU to execute according to the tunable calibration data.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system and method for supplementing a vehicle's sensor data, the system and method can include identifying a personal sensor on a user device, communicating a library of object recognition profiles for the personal sensor to the user device, capturing personal sensor data related to an environment, using the library of object recognition profiles for the personal sensor to use the captured personal sensor data to identify objects and/or features in the environment, and using the identified objects and/or features in the environment to supplement data collected by the autonomous vehicle's sensors.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system and method for determining an intent of a third-party autonomous vehicle by an autonomous vehicle. The method can include identifying the third-party autonomous vehicle, identifying a third-party autonomous vehicle behavior signature associated with the third-party autonomous vehicle, capturing sensor data related to the third-party autonomous vehicle, analyzing the captured sensor data to determine behaviors of the third-party autonomous vehicle, and using a third-party autonomous vehicle behavior signature to determine if the behaviors of the third-party autonomous vehicle indicate a specific intent of the third-party autonomous vehicle. The third-party autonomous vehicle behavior signature can be created by identifying behaviors of the third-party autonomous vehicle and associating the behaviors with an intent of the third-party autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring ground line degradation of electric devices coupled to a communication bus. The method includes, by a processor: receiving voltage data including measurements of voltages of messages transmitted by the electric device over the communication bus, generating health indicators from the voltage data associated with ground line degradation of the electric device, the health indicators including statistical moments calculated based on the voltage data, and determining a health stage of the electric device based on the health indicators, the health stage including a classification based on a relationship between ground line degradation and communication loss for the electric device.

Abstract: Presented are devices for measuring dimensions of tear seams, methods for making/using such devices, and handheld clamp calipers for gauging material thicknesses of tear seams in passenger airbag breakaway panels. A handheld or automated measurement tool for determining seam dimensions includes first and second jaws operatively attached to a calibrated scale. The calibrated scale displays a measurement value fora dimension of a seam. The first jaw includes a first jaw tip projecting from a first jaw mandible. The second jaw includes a second jaw tip projecting from a second jaw mandible, which is movably attached with the first jaw mandible. Each of the jaw tips contacts a respective surface of the seam. An interior edge of the second jaw tip is disposed at an oblique angle of less than 90 degrees from an interior edge of the second jaw mandible.

Abstract: A battery pack includes one or more battery modules subject to generating hot vent gasses during a thermal runaway event, a housing enclosing the battery modules therein and defining perimeter vent openings, and a plurality of perimeter vent assemblies. Each vent assembly is connected adjacent a corresponding one of the vent openings, and includes a translatable member, a gas diffuser block, and at least one sacrificial post. The gas diffuser block is connected to an outer surface of the housing, covers a respective one of the vent openings, and defines a plurality of orifices. The at least one sacrificial post is configured to melt or incinerate at a predetermined temperature to cause the translatable member to translate relative to the diffuser block and thereby prevent the vent gasses from escaping the battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring seatbelt usage by an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes, by a processor: receiving sensor data generated by at least one sensing device of the vehicle, determining a seatbelt gaming activity has occurred based on the sensor data, wherein the seatbelt gaming activity occurs when a seatbelt of the vehicle is latched while the occupant is not secured to a corresponding seat with the seatbelt, performing a persistence check to compare a frequency of the seatbelt gaming activity over a period of time to a minimum seatbelt gaming activity threshold, determining a classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant based on the persistence check, and generating record data that includes the classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant.

Abstract: A method for securing an electronic control unit (ECU). The method may include generating a granular security control adjustment authorization ticket (G-SCAAT) for securing the ECU according to a plurality of security parameters determined based on to a role selected for a corresponding user. The G-SCAAT may include security values to be used in controlling the ECU to operate according to the security parameters.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for classifying detected objects in a location-dependent manner using localized models in a federated learning environment. A method involves obtaining sensor data for a detected object external to the vehicle from a sensor of a vehicle, obtaining location data associated with the detected object, obtaining a local classification model associated with an object type, assigning the object type to the detected object based on an output by the local classification model as a function of the sensor data and the location data using the local classification model, and initiating an action at the vehicle responsive to assigning the object type to the detected object.

Abstract: An intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes: an intake manifold configured to be fluidly coupled to a throttle valve and including intake runners for cylinders, respectively, of the internal combustion engine; and a plenum that includes a flange configured to receive gas from a valve of the vehicle, that is fixed to the intake manifold, and that includes apertures configured to flow gas from the plenum into the intake manifold one of: between ones of the intake runners; and directly into the intake runners.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle and a controller. A first sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect lane markings on a roadway. The controller is configured to store data from the plurality of sensors. In response to receiving an indication indicating a misdetection of lane markings on the roadway based on data received from the first sensor, the controller is configured to execute in parallel a plurality of procedures configured to detect a plurality of causes for the misdetection of lane markings, respectively, based on the stored data; isolate one of the causes as a root cause for the misdetection of lane markings; and provide a response for mitigating the misdetection of lane markings on the roadway based on the root cause for the misdetection of lane markings.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for controlling operation of an engine of a vehicle during an idle mode of operation for the engine, the engine having a plurality of different types of fuel injectors and a combustion chamber, including: obtaining, via one or more first sensors of the vehicle, first sensor data as to a speed of the vehicle; obtaining, via one or more second sensors of the vehicle, second sensor data as to a measure of roughness of the engine; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a fuel injection ratio of respective amounts of fuel provided by the plurality of different types of fuel injectors to the combustion chamber, based on both the speed of the vehicle and the measure of roughness of the engine.

Abstract: An engine consumes fuel and air to generate an exhaust gas stream. An exhaust system channels the exhaust gas stream from the engine to a tailpipe. An aftertreatment system is included in the exhaust system and includes a catalyst. A transmission system is coupled with the engine. The transmission system includes a transmission and a torque converter coupled with the transmission through a shaft. A lock is included in the transmission system to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft to increase a load on the engine by the torque converter.

Abstract: A system for measuring a thickness of a coating arranged on an anode substrate includes an optical measurement system configured to transmit a light signal having a known first polarization toward the anode substrate through the coating such that the light signal is reflected from the surface of the anode substrate, a detection module positioned to receive the reflected light signal and configured to determine a second polarization of the reflected light signal that is different from the first polarization and measure a polarization difference between the first polarization and the second polarization, and a measurement module configured to receive the measured polarization difference, calculate the thickness of the coating based on the measured polarization difference, and generate an output based on the calculated thickness.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described herein. The autonomous vehicle includes a lidar sensor system. The autonomous vehicle additionally includes a computing system that executes a lidar segmentation system, wherein the lidar segmentation system is configured to identify objects that are in proximity to the autonomous vehicle based upon output of the lidar sensor system. The computing system further includes a deep neural network (DNN), where the lidar segmentation system identifies the objects in proximity to the autonomous vehicle based upon output of the DNN.

Abstract: A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle off-guard monitoring system includes an automobile vehicle having multiple sensor inputs capturing sensor data representing hazards including garage fires, excessive water or flooding, rain, snow, and at least one person loitering proximate to the automobile vehicle. A database has multiple saved images of the hazards. A computer compares the multiple saved images to the sensor data captured by the multiple inputs to identify if at least one match exists between any one of the multiple saved images of the hazards and the sensor data and when the at least one match exists generating a predefined warning signal. A smart-phone application in communication with the computer and a remote system signals the predefined warning signal to a user of the automobile vehicle to mitigate against damage occurring to the automobile vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive busbar includes a first rigid section and a second rigid section, each of the first and second rigid sections formed from a first conductive metallic material and having a first effective cross-sectional area, and a flexible section positioned between and interconnecting the first and second rigid sections, the flexible section made from a second conductive metallic material and having a second effective cross sectional area, and a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one of the top and bottom surface including a plurality of voids formed therein and spaced along the flexible section, wherein, the second effective cross-sectional area is less than the first effective cross-sectional area and the second conductive material has a higher conductivity than the first conductive material.