Abstract: Presented are intelligent charging systems for transferring energy to and from motor vehicles, methods for making/operating such systems, and vehicles with V2V and V2G energy transfer capabilities. A method for operating an intelligent charging system includes a system controller receiving, from a user interface of a user, a request to schedule a transfer of electricity to the user. The system controller broadcasts to a crowdsourced set of service providers a solicitation for energy transfer bids for completing the user’s transfer request. After receiving multiple bid submissions for completing the transfer request from multiple service providers, the system controller selects an optimized one of the bid submissions using a multi-criteria selection strategy. The multi-criteria selection strategy includes a joint utility maximization function and/or a trade-off Pareto solution.

Abstract: A flange connector assembly for connecting trim pieces of a vehicle. A first male portion having an end portion connected to a first trim part and a second female portion connected to a trim part end to be attached to the first trim part. The first male portion has a connection portion with a T-shaped cross section and the second portion has a second connecting portion with a T-shaped cavity. The first male connecting portion and the second female connecting portion fit to precisely engage each other and retain the trim portion to be attached. The protruding T-shaped portion includes raised tuning flanges and is capable of adjusting up/down, inboard/outboard or twist fine tuning for providing alignment adjustment to the trim pieces via adjustment of the flange heights in the mold and providing new precisely adjusted T-flanges for providing a tuned butt connection of a trim strip for instance.

Abstract: An operating system for a vehicle having an electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain and a plurality of electrically-powered accessories is described. A controller determines, via a navigation system, a target off-road trail segment, and characterizes the subject vehicle, ambient conditions, and the target off-road trail segment to determine an estimated consumption of electric energy for the vehicle to operate over the target off-road trail segment. The EV drivetrain and the electrically-powered accessories are controlled during operation of the vehicle on the off-road trail segment based upon the estimated consumption of electric energy for the subject vehicle. This is done to minimize a likelihood of a low SOC event for the DC power source for the trail segment and to avoid a low battery state at a location that is distal from a charging station.

Abstract: A hybrid material housing for a battery is provided for reducing or minimizing thermal runaway propagation. The housing includes a composite structure that contains the battery and optionally includes a polymeric matrix selected from the group consisting of: epoxy, phenolic resin, polyester, vinyl ester, and combinations thereof and a reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of: glass fibers, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, aromatic polyamide KEVLAR® fibers, and combinations thereof. A metal layer is disposed along an exterior surface of the composite structure that comprises aluminum, steel, stainless steel, alloys, and combinations thereof. In a first mode, the metal layer contacts the composite structure and in a second mode after exposure to a thermal load of greater than or equal to about 500° C., the metal layer at least partially delaminates from the exterior surface and forms insulating air gaps to define a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A system for powering an electric vehicle (EV) includes a battery, a power distribution module, and a battery bypass module. The power distribution module receives power from a charging station, draws power from the battery in a discharging mode, distributes power from the charging station to the battery in a charging mode, and distributes power to a plurality of subsystems of the EV. The battery bypass module is coupled to the battery and the power distribution module. When the battery bypass module is engaged in a charging bypass mode, power distributed by the power distribution module bypasses the battery and is distributed to at least a subset of the plurality of subsystems of the EV.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system having a hydrogen fuel injector/ejector and a control system, includes determining a hydrogen fuel consumption rate associated with a selected power level at steady state, determining a modeled hydrogen fuel flow rate associated with the selected power level and the injector/ejector, determining a modeled effective flow area associated with the injector/ejector, determining a true effective flow area of the injector/ejector, and using the effective flow area to calculate or adjust a command signal, an estimation or an estimation error of at least one of a hydrogen fuel flow rate, an anode leak rate and an anode exhaust valve flow rate.

Abstract: A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system, includes a housing. A plurality of battery cells are disposed in the housing. A discharge vent passage is in communication with the housing, the discharge vent passage including a one-way valve and a nozzle. A chamber is in communication with the nozzle and including an air inlet passage with a one-way valve. An outlet pipe is connected to the chamber. According to an aspect, the air inlet passage of the thermal vent management system is arranged as a Venturi opening adjacent to the nozzle.

Abstract: Technologies for providing real-time visualizations of a behavior of an autonomous vehicle (AV) associated with a ride request. In some examples, a method for providing real-time visualizations of a behavior of an AV associated with a ride request can include receiving a user request for a ride from an AV, wherein the user request specifies a pick-up location associated with a user; receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the AV; determining, based on the sensor data, a state and context of the AV while the AV is en route to the pick-up location; and presenting, at a display interface, a map depicting one or more visual indicators of the state and context of the AV, the state and context of the AV including a location of the AV and one or more AV operations.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for a stabilizer bar in a vehicle includes a split ring defining a passageway engaging with an outer surface of the stabilizer bar, an outer diameter surface, a first split ring end, a second split ring end, and at least one axial retention flange disposed at either the first split ring end or the second split ring end. The bushing assembly includes an elastomer bushing defining an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a first bushing end, a second bushing end, a first axial flange disposed at the first bushing end, and a second axial flange at the second bushing end. At least one of the first axial flange and the second axial flange abut against the at least one axial retention flange of the split ring to create a zero clearance condition. The bushing assembly also includes a strap clamp securing the bushing assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for adjusting an exposure setting. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for determining a localization parameter of an autonomous vehicle, the localization parameter including a geographic position of the autonomous vehicle, determining a region of interest based on the localization parameter of the autonomous vehicle, receiving a first image including the region of interest based on the localization parameter of the autonomous vehicle, determining an exposure setting for the region of interest in the first image, and adjusting an exposure setting of the first image to the exposure setting for the region of interest in the first image. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A fleet management system coordinates multiple autonomous vehicles (AVs) to transport a group of passengers from one location to another. A single user can submit a request to the fleet management system to provide a ride for the group, the request specifying the number of passengers and the pickup location. The fleet management system determines a number of AVs to transport the group based on the number passengers, and dispatches this number of AVs to the pickup location. The AVs pick up the passengers at the pickup location, drive the passengers to a destination, and drop the passengers off at the destination.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described, wherein the autonomous vehicle is configured to estimate a change in direction of a vehicle that is on a roadway and is proximate to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle has a mechanical system, one or more sensors that generate one or more sensor signals, and a computing system in communication with the mechanical system and the one or more sensors. The autonomous vehicle is configured to detect an imminent lane change by another vehicle based on at least one of a computed angle between a wheel of the other vehicle and a longitudinal direction of travel of the other vehicle, a degree of misalignment between the wheel of the other vehicle and a body of the other vehicle, and/or an eccentricity of the wheel of the other vehicle. The mechanical system of the autonomous vehicle is controlled by the computing system based upon the detected imminent lane change.

Abstract: A vehicle is received in a stationary controlled area of a controlled testing environment. Simulation inputs corresponding to a simulated scene are generated and transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle applies torque in response. A vehicle control mechanism of the controlled testing environment, such as a chassis dynamometer, a motorized treadmill, or a lift, keeps the vehicle within the stationary controlled area during the test despite the torque applied by the vehicle. A path of the vehicle within the simulated scene is determined based on the applied torque, based upon which the vehicle's navigation system is calibrated.

Abstract: Methods, systems and vehicles are provided for controlling a wireless application provided to a wireless device over a wireless network. One or more radio frequency (RF) parameters of the wireless device in the wireless network are triggered by the wireless application. One or more sensors generate sensor data of the wireless device in the wireless network. A processor at least facilitates determining whether an adjustment is appropriate for the wireless device in the wireless device to mitigate interference from wireless signals outside the wireless network, based on the sensor data, wherein the determination as to whether an adjustment is appropriate is based at least on part on whether the wireless application is being utilized for the wireless device in the wireless network; and adjusting, via instructions provided by the processor, a sensitivity of a receiver of the wireless device, based on the determination that the adjustment is appropriate.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes: receiving an input as to a destination of travel for a vehicle; identifying, via a processor, a plurality of routes for the vehicle to travel to the destination; determining, via the processor, for each of the plurality of routes, a measure of difficulty of vehicle maneuvers for the vehicle to reach the destination via the route; and performing a vehicle action, via instructions provided by the processor, based on the respective measures of difficulty for the plurality of routes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the one-piece production of a room module (8) having three side elements (24) and a floor element (25) and/or a ceiling element (26), wherein the apparatus takes the form of a parallelepipedal and hollow core formwork (10) around which an outer formwork (9) for the room module (8) to be produced can be arranged.

Abstract: An illuminated sensor target includes a light source. Actuating the light source illuminates the sensor target. The illuminated sensor target is recognized by one or more sensors of a vehicle during a calibration process, and is used to calibrate the one or more sensors of the vehicle during the calibration process. The illuminated sensor target is illuminated during at least part of the calibration process, which may involve rotation of the vehicle about a turntable, with the illuminated sensor target positioned within a range of the turntable along with other sensors targets, which may also be illuminated.

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: The present disclosure describes a method of manufacturing a vehicle body structure component. The method includes extruding a tube to include at least one reinforced region extending along a length of the tube. The tube has a first thickness in the at least one reinforced region and a second thickness in other regions of the tube. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The method further includes cutting a blank from the tube such that the blank includes at least a portion of the at least one reinforced region and forming the blank into a desired shape of the component.