Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes obtaining a linear representation of a vehicle dynamics model that includes actuator dynamics u integrated with vehicle dynamics x. The actuator dynamics u include a road wheel angle at rear wheels ?r and a torque Mz. The method also includes obtaining an objective function based on a function of the vehicle dynamics x and the actuator dynamics u and formulating a cost function to minimize the objective function. The actuator dynamics u including the torque Mz are determined for a next time sample based on minimizing the objective function. The vehicle is controlled to implement the torque Mz.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that includes an electrically conductive material layer, a precursor material disposed on or adjacent to a first surface of the electrically conductive material layer, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or adjacent to the precursor material. In certain variations, the precursor material forms a continuous layer and a solid-electrolyte interface layer is disposed on or adjacent to an exposed surface of the electroactive material layer. In other variations, the precursor material forms a plurality of distinct precursor structures disposed on the first surface of the electrically conductive material layer in a predetermined pattern, such that at least a portion of each distinct precursor structure is unobstructed by the electroactive material layer. The distinct precursor structures are configured to form surface structures that chemically attach the solid-electrolyte interface layer and the electrically conductive material layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods can improve passenger safety for an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) based on the integration of sensor data captured by the AV's interior and exterior sensors. The AV can determine passenger occupancy data corresponding to where each passenger is detected within the AV by the interior sensors. The AV can determine multiple sets of one or more driving actions that the AV can perform at a future time. The AV can generate crash impact data corresponding to where each passenger is detected from one or more simulated collisions between the AV and one or more objected detected by the exterior sensors when the AV performs one or more sets of driving actions from among the multiple sets. The AV can determine ranked sets of driving actions based on the passenger occupancy data and the crash impact data.

Abstract: Presented are battery assemblies with integrated fuel tanks, methods for making/using such battery assemblies, and fuel cell electric vehicles having rechargeable traction battery packs with integrated fiber-composite hydrogen fuel tanks. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) assembly includes a battery pack housing with an internal battery module compartment located between two tank mounting cavities. Each mounting cavity is recessed into a respective lateral side of the battery pack housing. Multiple rechargeable battery modules are electrically interconnected with one another and mounted inside the battery module compartment. Each battery module contains multiple battery cells, such as a stack of series-connected lithium-ion pouch cells. A fuel tank is mounted in each of the tank mounting cavities on the lateral sides of the battery pack housing.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for automatically controlling braking of a vehicle during testing. In an exemplary embodiments, a testing assembly is provided that includes a roll test machine and a tester system. The roll test machine includes a flat surface, a plurality of rollers, and one or more optical controllers. The plurality of rollers are configured to engage a vehicle on the flat surface for testing of the vehicle. The one or more optical encoders are configured to generate wheel speed and brake force data for the vehicle during testing of the vehicle. The tester system includes a processor configured to at least facilitate generating instructions for brake pressure to be applied via a braking system of the vehicle during the testing of the vehicle.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery is manufactured by a method in which a precursor solution is applied to a major surface of a lithium metal substrate to form a precursor coating thereon. The precursor solution includes an organophosphate, a nonpolar organic solvent, and a lithium-containing inorganic ionic compound dissolved therein. At least a portion of the nonpolar organic solvent is removed from the precursor coating to form a protective interfacial layer on the major surface of the lithium metal substrate. The protective interfacial layer exhibits a composite structure including a carbon-based matrix component and a lithium-containing dispersed component. The lithium-containing dispersed component is embedded in the carbon-based matrix component and includes a plurality of lithium-containing inorganic ionic compounds, e.g., lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3).

Abstract: The present application relates to a system for providing alert notifications of possible vehicle contact events including a vehicle controller for determining a first velocity of a host vehicle, a sensor for determining a second velocity of a proximate vehicle, a processor configured for predicting a time of intersection of the first velocity and the second velocity generating a control signal in response to the time of intersection being less than a first threshold time, and a controller configured for providing a vehicle contact warning and performing a contact preparation action in response to the control signal.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described that combine a sorbent containing a flame retardant with a substrate, which is capable of responding to temperature increases to prevent, suppress, delay the spread of, or otherwise mitigate a proximal thermal event. A flame retardant system has a flame retardant material that is incorporated into a matrical sorbent material, which is incorporated into a substrate. The matrical sorbent material is configured to release the flame retardant material upon exposure to an elevated temperature, e.g., a temperature that is greater than 300° C. in one embodiment.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to multiple beam, single mirror lidar. A multiple beam, single mirror lidar system can include a 2D MEMS mirror and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of lidar channels, each including a transmitter and a receiver. In the photonic integrated circuit, the lidar channels are directed at a common point on the 2D MEMS mirror. The lidar channels are oriented with relative offset angles. Thus, the lidar channels output beams that are directed at the common point on the 2D MEMS mirror and are oriented with relative offset angles.

Abstract: A chassis assembly having mixed material for reduced mass is provided. The assembly comprises an upper structure comprised of metal. The upper structure has a plurality of first bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to a z-axis of a 3-dimensional coordinate thereof. The assembly further comprises a lower structure made of a polymer composite. The lower structure has a plurality of second bond surfaces, each of which is parallel with each other at varying elevations relative to the z-axis thereof. The second bond surfaces are arranged to align with the first bond surfaces in complementing relation such that the lower structure is joined with the upper structure at the first and second bond surfaces. The assembly further comprises an adhesive disposed between the first and second bond surfaces to join the lower and upper structures at the first and second bond surfaces, defining a bond gap between the first and second bond surfaces.

Abstract: A system uses a fleet of AVs to assess visibility of target objects. Each AV has a camera for capturing images of target objects. AVs provide the captured images, or visibility data derived from the captured images, to a remote system, which aggregates visibility data describing images captured across the fleet of AVs. The AVs also provide condition data describing conditions under which the images were captured, and the remote system aggregates the condition data. The remote system processes the aggregated visibility data and condition data to determine conditions under which a target object does not meet a visibility threshold.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a component. The vehicle component includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of fibers in the polymer matrix, and a heating element embedded in the polymer matrix. The heating element may be (i) a discrete heating element, (ii) at least a portion of the plurality of fibers, or both (i) and (ii). The heating element is configured to be coupled to an external circuit to generate heat. In one aspect, the vehicle component is a vehicle header including an elongated body extending between a first side and a second side.

Abstract: A system for detecting a lithium dendrite in a battery cell is provided. The system includes the battery cell including an anode and a cathode. The battery cell further includes a conductive prewarning layer disposed between the anode and the cathode and constructed with a porous material. The battery cell further includes a separator layer disposed between the conductive prewarning layer and the cathode, wherein the separator layer is configured for allowing ions to pass through the separator layer. The system further includes a sensor electrically connected to the anode and the conductive prewarning layer and monitoring data related to a voltage potential between the anode and the conductive prewarning layer. The data is useful to identify a decrease in the voltage potential between the anode and the conductive prewarning layer and diagnose existence of the lithium dendrite.

Abstract: An interconnect board assembly includes a busbar assembly with at least one track having a plurality of busbars. The interconnect board assembly may be used with a power module having a plurality of battery cells. The interconnect board assembly includes a senseline assembly having a plurality of traces extending in proximity to the at least one track. An overmolded board frame is integrally formed over the busbar assembly and the senseline assembly. The overmolded board frame defines a first surface and a second surface. The overmolded board frame is configured such that a rigid load path is completed when the busbar assembly is joined to the senseline assembly and the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: A robotic system for use with a payload includes a robot, a passive compliance mechanism, position sensors, and an electronic control unit (ECU). Actuated joints of the robot provide the robotic system with actuated degrees of freedom (DOF). The compliance mechanism is connected to the robot and payload, and has unactuated joints providing the robotic system with unactuated DOF. The sensors measure joint positions of the joints. The ECU has a trajectory generator block which generates a payload trajectory signal in response to dynamic control inputs, and an impedance control unit (ICU) applying damping and stiffness parameters to the payload trajectory signal to generate an initial velocity command. A stiction compensation block allows the robotic system to generate a velocity offset, and applies the velocity offset to the initial velocity command to produce a final velocity command for the robot.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent control systems for flexible notification and management of in-vehicle assets, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a motor vehicle includes a vehicle controller detecting, via a resident communications interface (RCI) device, an electronic asset within a compartment of the motor vehicle. Responsive to detecting the asset, the controller accesses a memory device to retrieve device data specific to the asset. This device data contains a set of conditional criteria predetermined to protect the asset while in the vehicle compartment. The controller also detects when the vehicle is stopped; upon detecting the vehicle has stopped, the controller determines if any one of the conditional criteria has been met. If so, the controller responsively commands one or more resident vehicle subsystems of the vehicle to execute one or more automated control operations to protect the asset while inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery housing having an interior compartment. A battery pack, including a plurality of battery cells, is in the interior compartment of the housing. A vessel defines an interior chamber and includes an air inlet, an oxygen discharge port, and an inert gas discharge port each in communication with the interior chamber. An oxygen separation material is in the chamber and is configured to separate oxygen from air supplied through the air inlet and to direct the oxygen to the oxygen discharge port. The oxygen separation material is further configured to direct remaining oxygen deficient air to the inert gas discharge port. The inert gas discharge port in communication with the interior compartment of the battery housing.

Abstract: A fleet management system implements a rewards-based feedback system to receive feedback from users of a rideshare service that provides rides using autonomous vehicles (AVs). The fleet management system maintains user accounts associated with each user and provides reward points to each user account. When the user is riding in an AV, the user can access a user interface to select a portion of the reward points and reward them to the AV. The fleet management system may analyze the point rewards to identify individual user preferences, to identify preferences across users, or to identify AVs for maintenance or other types of modification.

Abstract: Presented are electrochemical devices with in-stack pressure sensors, methods for making/using such devices, and battery cells with electrode stacks having an electrode separator assembly with a piezoelectric layer for in-stack pressure sensing and dendrite cleaning. An electric machine, such as a lithium-class secondary battery cell for example, includes a device housing with an ion-conducting electrolyte located inside the device housing. A stack of working electrodes is also located inside the device housing, in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte. At least one electrode separator assembly is located inside the device housing, interposed between a neighboring pair of the working electrodes. The electrode separator assembly includes a pair of separator layers that transmit therethrough the ions of the electrolyte, and a piezoelectric layer that is interposed between the two separator layers.