Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for determining vehicle events. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes: one or more cameras onboard a vehicle that are configured to generate camera data; and a processor that is coupled to the one or more cameras and configured to at least facilitate: identifying a change in position of one or more objects of the camera data using the camera data; and determining that a vehicle event has occurred, based on the change in position of the one or more objects of the camera data.

Abstract: A vehicle cleaning system for cleaning a vehicle including a processor and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include determining that a passenger compartment of the vehicle requires cleaning and identifying a type of cleaning required. The operations also include that at least one of a fragrance system, a dry particulate removal system, and a wet particulate removal system is activated in response to the type of cleaning required.

Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for the battery enclosure and method of providing structural support to the battery enclosure. The battery enclosure includes a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The support beam extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The support beam includes a body having a first beam end and a through passage. An internal stabilizer disposed within the through passage at the first beam end. The internal stabilizer includes a first stabilizer sidewall extending from a first stabilizer end to a second stabilizer end, a second stabilizer sidewall extending from the first stabilizer end to the second stabilizer end, and a bridge connecting the first stabilizer sidewall to the second stabilizer sidewall at the second stabilizer end.

Abstract: An example of a vehicle electrical system includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having a first voltage and a power inverter selectively connected to the RESS. The system further includes an electric motor having a plurality of machine windings with each of the machine windings including a polyphase terminal electrically connected to the power inverter. The machine windings further include a neutral terminal separate from the polyphase terminals and configured to electrically connect to an off-board power source having a second voltage that is below the first voltage of the RESS. The power inverter is configured to cycle between first and second operational states, such that the power inverter and the electric motor steps up the first voltage to the second voltage.

Abstract: An enhanced aluminum alloy galvanically compatible with a magnesium alloy component is disclosed. The aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, less than 0.2 weight percent copper, less than 0.2 weight percent iron, 6.0 to 9.0 weight percent silicon, 0.6 to 1.5 weight percent magnesium, and greater than 0.8 weight percent manganese. The aluminum alloy further comprises less than 2 weight percent zinc, less than 0.1 weight percent nickel, less than 0.2 weight percent tin, less than 0.05 weight percent titanium; and 0.008 to 0.02 weight percent strontium. Manganese and iron have a weight ratio of at least 30:1. Furthermore, iron and manganese combined content is less than 2.0 weight percent.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to prevent a boxed-in driving situation, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to detect a preventable box-in driving situation; and, based on the detection of the preventable box-in driving situation, adjust a location of a trigger threshold along a vehicle path.

Abstract: A seat accessory for an automobile vehicle includes a seat accessory configuration oriented to be releasably deposited onto a seat base and a seat back of an automobile vehicle seat when the seat back is positioned in a seat back fully reclined and horizontal position. The seat accessory includes a seat base contact portion defining a triangular-shape positioned onto the seat base. A seat back contact portion defining a triangular-shape is positioned onto the seat back. A connecting member directly connects the seat base contact portion to the seat back contact portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing autonomous chauffeur services. In particular, systems and methods are provided to integrate users' calendars with a ridehail application to provide personal chauffeur-type services. Integrating a ridehail service application with a user's calendar and online schedule enables the ridehail service to act as a personal around-the-clock chauffeur, with an autonomous vehicle appearing when needed and taking the user to their destination with no additional input.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to execute one or more methods for detecting function of a charging receptacle during a charging cycle. The methods include supplying a charging current through the pins; monitoring a pin temperature of the pins during the charging current; and applying a first step function to the charging current. The methods may also include monitoring a first step change in the pin temperature during the first step function; comparing the first step change in the pin temperature to a first expected temperature change to create a first deviation; and comparing the first deviation to a predetermined threshold. If the first deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, signaling a maintenance alert, and if the first deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, logging the first deviation.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein examples of systems and procedures for performing software updates for vehicles. The vehicles may be scheduled for the software updates based on information related to the vehicles. Update systems may determine when the vehicles have entered service ranges of the update systems for the scheduled software updates and may initiate the software updates in response to determining that the vehicles have entered the service ranges. Progress of the software updates may be monitored and displayed on a dashboard system overseeing the software updates of the vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle are provided. The systems and methods include a sensor system and a processor configured to execute program instructions, to cause the at least one processor to: receive yaw rate values, lateral acceleration values and longitudinal velocity values for the vehicle from the sensor system, determine side slip angle parameter values based on the yaw rate values, lateral acceleration values and longitudinal velocity values, determine phase portrait angles based on the side slip angle parameter values and the yaw rate values, wherein the phase portrait angles each represent an angle between yaw rate and side slip angle for the vehicle in a phase portrait of yaw rate and side slip angle, detect or predict vehicle instability based at least on the phase portrait angles, and when vehicle instability is detected or predicted, control motion of the vehicle to at least partly correct the vehicle instability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation. The system includes a controller circuit coupled to an IMU and an EPS, and programmed to: calculate, for a steered first axle, an axle-based pneumatic trail for using IMU measurements and EPS signals and estimate a saturation level as a function of a distance between the axle-based pneumatic trail and zero. The system estimates, for an unsteered second axle, an axle lateral force curve with respect to a slip angle of the second axle, and a saturation level as a function of when the axle lateral force curve with respect to the slip angle transitions from positive values to negative values. The saturation level of the first axle and the second axle are integrated. The system determines that the vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation as a function of the integrated saturation levels.

Abstract: Methods of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The method may include centrifugally distributing a molten precursor comprising silicon, oxygen, and lithium by contacting the molten precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor. The molten precursor is formed by combining lithium, silicon, and oxygen. For example, the precursor may be formed from a mixture comprising silicon dioxide (SiO2), lithium oxide (Li2O), and silicon (Si). The method may further include solidifying the molten precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles comprising a mixture of lithium silicide (LiySi, where 0<y?4.4) and a lithium silicate (Li4SiO4) and having a D50 diameter of less than or equal to about 20 micrometers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adding supervised stops to an autonomous vehicle route. In particular, systems and methods are provided for allowing a primary passenger, who is accompanied by one or more other passengers, to pause a ride, exit the vehicle, and request supervision of the other passengers while the primary passenger is away from the vehicle. Supervision of the other passengers can include monitoring vehicle temperature, making sure the other passengers remain safely inside the vehicle, preventing strangers from accessing the vehicle, providing any requested feedback regarding the other passengers to the primary passenger, and enabling communication between the first passenger and the other passengers.

Abstract: Collaborative perception is based on recognition that a fleet of AVs and stationary infrastructure objects equipped with sensors may be configured to communicate with one another in sharing their sensor data, thus benefiting from collaborative perception, rather than being limited to their individual perception. Three specific scenarios of collaborative perception are disclosed. The first scenario relates to two AVs in the vicinity of one another exchanging complexity scores indicative of their respective environments. The second scenario relates to an AV detecting that it has a blind spot and seeking other AVs or infrastructure objects to provide information indicative of the environment in the blind spot. The third scenario relates to providing infrastructure objects equipped with sensors in appropriate locations so that, when an AV is in the vicinity of such objects, the AV may receive information from their sensors.

Abstract: A system including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is arranged to monitor a field of view, and includes a LiDAR sensor and a linear resonant actuator. The LiDAR sensor includes a first portion including a laser array and a detector array, and a second portion including a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The linear resonant actuator is arranged to oscillate one of the first portion or the second portion of the LiDAR sensor.

Abstract: Presented are clutch control systems for torque converter (TC) assemblies, methods for making/operating such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a housing that drivingly connects to an electric motor, and an output member that drivingly connects to a multi-gear transmission. Rotatable within the TC housing are a turbine attached to the TC output member and an impeller juxtaposed with the turbine. A lockup clutch is operable to lock the housing to the output member. A system controller is programmed to receive a shift signal to shift the powertrain from a neutral or park operating mode to a forward driving operating mode; responsive to receipt of this shift signal, the lockup clutch is opened. The system controller then receives a TCC lock signal to lock the lockup clutch; responsive to receipt of the TCC lock signal, the lockup clutch is closed.

Abstract: A method for collecting and mapping eye movement data to vehicle data includes providing a vehicle having a plurality of sensors configured to capture vehicle characteristic data, an eye-movement tracking system configured to capture eye movement data, a wireless communication system, and a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors, the eye movement tracking system, and the wireless communication system, receiving the eye movement data and the vehicle characteristic data, analyzing the eye movement data and the vehicle characteristic data to temporally correlate the eye movement data and the vehicle characteristic data and generate a matched dataset, determining a predicted vehicle maneuver from the matched dataset, and transmitting the predicted vehicle maneuver to a nearby vehicle using V2X communication.