Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided controlling a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes: monitoring an eye gaze of a driver of the vehicle; monitoring current traffic conditions surrounding the vehicle; predicting an intention of the driver to perform a lane change maneuver based on the eye gaze, a history of the eye gaze of the driver, and the current traffic conditions; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle based on the predicted intention of the driver to perform a lane change maneuver.

Abstract: A port-door release assembly includes a door and a linkage coupled to the door to support the door during movement between open and closed positions. The port-door release assembly includes a drive shaft coupled to the linkage to drive movement of the linkage. The port-door release assembly includes a motor configured to rotate the drive shaft which moves the linkage and the door to the open and/or closed positions. The port-door release assembly includes a back-up release assembly movable relative to the linkage to disconnect the drive shaft from the linkage which allows the door to move to the open position without actuation of the motor. A door assembly includes the port-door release assembly as described above and a housing defining a port in which the door is movable relative to the housing between the open position that uncovers the port and the closed position that covers the port.

Abstract: A method for operating an advanced driver assistance (ADAS) system of a motor vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving, from side and end cameras mounted to the vehicle, camera signals indicative of real-time images of outboard-facing side and end views of the vehicle. The controller determines a region of interest (ROI) inset within each end/side view within which is expected foreign objects and/or hazards. These ROIs are analyzed to detect if a foreign object/hazard is present in the vehicle's end and/or side views. Responsive to detecting the foreign object/hazard, movement of the foreign object/hazard is tracked to determine if the foreign object/hazard moves towards or away from the vehicle's underbody region. If the foreign object/hazard moves to the underbody region, control signals are transmitted to the vehicle's propulsion and/or steering system to automate preventative action that prevents collision of the vehicle with and/or removes the foreign object/hazard from the underbody.

Abstract: A virtual lane estimation system includes a memory device, a sensor and a computer. The memory device is configured to store a road map that corresponds to a portion of a road ahead of a vehicle. The sensor is configured to observe a plurality of trajectories of a plurality of neighboring vehicles that traverse the portion of the road. The computer is configured to initialize a recursive self-organizing map as a plurality of points arranged as a two-dimensional grid aligned with the road map, train the points in the recursive self-organizing map in response to the trajectories, generate a directed graph that contains one or more virtual lanes through the road map in response to the points trained to the trajectories, and generate a control signal that controls navigation of the vehicle through the portion of the road in response to the virtual lanes in the directed graph.

Abstract: Robotic systems are provided for flexibility in assembly operations. A robotic system includes a suction module having a front side with a face shaped to match a mating component and a rear side with a coupling for a suction line. Openings extend through the face. The suction module defines internal passages connecting the coupling with the at least one opening through the face. An end-effector has a base plate, a mounting plate selectively moveable relative to the base plate, and a clamp. The suction module is selectively mounted to the mounting plate and releasably secured by the clamp. An actuator is mounted to selectively move the mounting plate and the suction module relative to the base plate.

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: A method for controlling transient operation of a variable flux machine (VFM) includes, during a shunt angle transition, receiving a commanded and measured shunt angle when operating in a predetermined operating region, e.g., maximum torque per ampere or field weakening. The method includes calculating d-axis and q-axis delta current terms (?Id and ?Iq) required to maintain an output torque level of the VFM through a duration of the shunt angle transition, then applying the required ?Id and ?Id terms as feed-forward terms to adjust a d-axis current (Id) term and a q-axis current (Iq) term from a respective lookup table. In this manner the controller maintains the output torque level of the VFM during the shunt angle transition. An electric powertrain includes the VFM, a TPIM, and the controller. A PM machine may be controlled by substituting temperature for shunt angle.

Abstract: A high heat-absorption casting core for manufacturing a cast component includes a core body. The core body has at least a portion thereof defined by metal powder. The metal powder is configured to absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the component and solidification thereof. The core body may be additionally defined by a sand fraction in contact with the metal powder fraction. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using the high heat-absorption casting core are also envisioned.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling an auto high beam functionality for headlights of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes: obtaining camera data pertaining to an object in front of the vehicle; identifying, via a processor, a radial gradient of pixels in a region of interest from the camera data; and automatically controlling, via the processor, the auto high beam functionality for the headlights based on the radial gradient.

Abstract: Products and methods are provided for additive manufacturing of products in a collapsed state for post printing expansion in preparation for use in their intended application. A product includes interconnecting members configured for forming by printing in a collapsed state, with joints between the interconnecting members configured for relative movement of the interconnected members from the collapsed state to an expanded state. The interconnecting members define a larger package size in the expanded state than in the collapsed state. The joints are freely moveable in the collapsed state and are locked in place in the expanded state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, real-time lane width data based on a current location of the vehicle; computing, by the processor, an in-path threshold based on the real-time lane width; receiving, by the processor, real-time distance data based on a distance between a center of the vehicle and a lane edge; computing, by the processor, an offset value based on the real-time distance data; applying, by the processor, the offset value to the in-path threshold; tracking, by the processor, a position of objects within the field of view of the vehicle sensor system based on the in-path threshold; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle based on the tracking of the objects.

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 display screen is disclosed and includes a display screen body having a viewing surface, a rear surface, and an aperture extending between the viewing surface and the rear surface. The display screen also includes a post constructed of a substantially transparent material without birefringence. The post is located within the aperture of the display screen body. A portion of the post extends out of the aperture in a direction away from the viewing surface of the display screen body to create a projection.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio (VCR) phaser configured to control a compression ratio of an engine having a crankshaft and a control shaft. The variable compress ratio phaser comprises: i) a control shaft gear configured to mesh with a gear on the control shaft of the engine and to receive torque from the control shaft; ii) a crankshaft gear configured to mesh with a gear on the crankshaft of the engine and to deliver torque to the crankshaft; and iii) a torque conversion mechanism configured to receive torque from the control shaft and to convert the torque to a linear force that changes the compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes capturing a plurality of images at a camera associated with a vehicle and storing image data associated with the plurality of images to a memory. The method further includes dispatching vehicle perception tasks to a plurality of processing elements of an accelerator in communication with the memory. The method further includes performing, by at least one of the plurality of processing elements, the vehicle perception tasks for the vehicle perception using a neural network, wherein performing the vehicle perception tasks comprises performing an activation bypass for values below a first threshold, and performing weight pruning of synapses and neurons of the neural network based at least in part on a second threshold. The method further includes controlling the vehicle based at least in part on a result of performing the vehicle perception tasks.

Abstract: The present technology is effective to cause at least one processor to receive attributes of a sidewalk section within a threshold distance from a location selected by a passenger, determine a potential location for pick-up or drop-off of the passenger by the autonomous vehicle, receive an authorization from the passenger, and navigate the autonomous vehicle to the potential location for pick-up or drop-off. The attributes may include a respective curb height of the sidewalk section within the threshold distance. The potential location may be determined based upon a height of a portion of an autonomous vehicle and the respective curb height of the sidewalk section within the threshold distance. The authorization may confirm the potential location for pick-up or drop-off.

Abstract: A computer software product adapted for use in a weld inspection system is executed by a processor and is stored in an electronic storage medium of the weld inspection system adapted to facilitate the inspection of a weld of a work product. The computer software product includes a first module and a combination module. The first module is configured to transform first and second raw thermal images, associated with respective first and second heat pulses of at least a portion of the work product having the weld, into respective first and second binary images. The combination module is configured to transform the first and second binary images into a combined binary image for the reduction of noise.

Abstract: A reinforced preform includes a sheet of reinforced material having opposed first and second edges, with each edge having a respective first connection point located therealong. The preform also includes first and second tethers, with each tether being attached at a respective first end thereof to a respective one of the first connection points and having a respective second end thereof terminating in at least one of: a respective loop tied at the respective second end, a respective knot tied at the respective second end, a respective graspable member to which the respective second end is connected, and an attachment to a respective second connection point located along a perimeter of the sheet. A method and mold for molding a reinforced preform are also disclosed.

Abstract: A replicator assembly includes reflective, transmissive, and transparent elements. The reflective element receives and reflects a hologram of a HUD system. The transmissive element includes a partially transmissive portion that receives a reflection of the hologram from the reflective element, outputs N replications of the hologram, and reflects N?1 replications of the hologram. The partially transmissive portion is implemented as a continuous transmission neutral density filter across different phase regions. The phase regions of the partially transmissive portion correspond respectively to the N replications. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The reflective element reflects the N?1 replications of the hologram. The transparent element is disposed between the reflective and transmissive elements and guides the N replications of the hologram between the reflective and transmissive elements.

Abstract: A camera image cleaning system of an automobile vehicle includes a camera generating a camera image of a vehicle environment. A processor having a memory executes a control logic to convert the camera image into a grayscale image having multiple image pixels. A convolution equation is retrieved from the memory and is solved to find derivations of the grayscale image defining changes of pixel intensity between consecutive or neighbor ones of the multiple image pixels of the grayscale image. A magnitude and an orientation of the multiple pixels is computed by the processor and used to differentiate weak ones of the image pixels from strong ones of the image pixels.