Abstract: A system and method for communicating data using lidar, the method being carried out by a lidar communication system, the method including: activating a data communication mode of a lidar unit; preparing data for communication using lidar; after activating the data communication mode, emitting a plurality of light pulses using the lidar unit, wherein the plurality of light pulses are emitted in a manner so as to convey the prepared data to an external lidar communication device; and receiving an acknowledgment message, wherein the acknowledgment message indicates receipt of the prepared data at the external lidar communication device.

Abstract: A method of assembling an automotive vehicle includes providing a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The method also includes providing a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. The method additionally includes providing a patch at the upper surface, with the patch extending about a periphery of the hole at the upper surface and having a different material composition from the panel. The method also includes adhering a liner material to the upper surface, with the liner material being superposed over and adhered to the patch.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein relate to routing an autonomous vehicle based upon likelihood of interacting with a disruptive third-party vehicle. A computing system receives an origin location of an autonomous vehicle and a destination location of the autonomous vehicle. The computing system identifies a route for the autonomous vehicle to take based upon output of a computer-implemented model. The computer-implemented model is generated based upon labeled data that is indicative of observed instances of a disruptive third-party vehicle exhibiting behavior that impacts operation of an autonomous vehicle. The output of the computer-implemented model is a score that is indicative of a likelihood that the disruptive third-party vehicle will be traveling through a geographic location along a candidate route at a certain time. The score is used in part to identify the route from amongst a plurality of candidate routes. The autonomous vehicle then travels along the route.

Abstract: The present technology provides a cargo adapter that can be inserted into a passenger compartment of a mixed-use vehicle that can be anchored to existing anchor points in the vehicle. The cargo adapter can then receive, secure, and support a cargo locker in a way that safely secures the cargo and avoids wear on the interior surfaces of the passenger compartment. The present technology further provides a system for transporting a cargo locker to a vehicle and inserting the cargo adapter and cargo locker into the vehicle quickly and easily.

Abstract: A radar system includes a transmit section to emit a transmit signal. A chip-based front-end portion of the transmit section increases a frequency of an input signal to produce an intermediate signal and amplifies signal strength of the intermediate signal to produce the transmit signal. The frequency of the input signal is in a range of 76 gigahertz (GHz) to 80 GHz. The radar system also includes a receive section to receive a reflected signal resulting from reflection of the transmit signal by an object.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a substrate of a dielectric material. A conductive feed joins a number of conductive patches arranged in a line forming an array. The conductive patches are spaced from one another and the array is disposed on the substrate. The array has first and second sides. A first ground plane is disposed on the first side of the array and is spaced apart from the array. A number of conducting pillars ground the substrate to the first ground plane, and the conducting pillars define a second ground plane on the substrate. The array is configured to radiate a radiation pattern characterized by a first beam width in a first plane and a second beam width in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first beam width is wider than the second beam width.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a combined rearview image of an area behind a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the method including: capturing a first image from a vehicle camera that is installed on the vehicle, the first image being comprised of an area behind the vehicle; capturing a second image from a trailer camera that is installed on the trailer, the second image being comprised of an area behind the trailer; determining an obstructed viewing region within the first image, the obstructed viewing region being a region of the first image in which the trailer resides; overlaying the second image on the first image and at least partially within the obstructed viewing region; and inserting graphics in the first image, in the second image, and/or in a patch region within the obstructed viewing region and between the second image and the first image.

Abstract: A method including sending a communication to a user device associated with the user and receiving, at the autonomous vehicle, an audible authentication code. The communication can include a location of the autonomous vehicle. The location can be effective to assist the user device to audibly provide guidance from a location of the mobile device to the location of the autonomous vehicle. The audible authentication code can be effective to assist an authentication process between the autonomous vehicle and the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for user-controlled availability of vehicle connectivity in various embodiments. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sensors are configured to generate sensor data pertaining to a motor of a vehicle and pertaining to user inputs for a user of the vehicle; and a telematics system has a processor that is configured to at least facilitate: (i) determining, from the sensor data, whether the motor is turned off; (ii) determining, from the sensor data, whether a user has requested that the telematics unit operate in an energy conservation mode; and (iii) operating the telematics unit, using one or more adjusted values instead of one or more default values for communicating with a remote server, when it is determined that both the motor for the vehicle is turned off and the user has requested that the telematics unit operate in an energy conservation mode.

Abstract: A service latch assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker member and a latch mechanism configured to selectively engage and release the strike member. The latch mechanism includes a frame plate defining a guideway configured to receive the striker member, a striker guard inserted into the guideway, a latch member pivotally connected to the frame plate, a stop tab extending from a closed end of the guideway, a stop bumper inserted onto the stop tab, and an over-mold fitted over the latch member. The over-mold includes a pivot limiter bumper configured to cooperate with the stop bumper to limit the pivot of the latch member in an open position and a striker retention feature nested onto an edge retention surface of a first lever arm of the latch member.

Abstract: A linerless engine block includes a polymer matrix composite having an internal surface that defines a bore. The polymer matrix composite has a first thermal conductivity at the internal surface of at least 5 W/m·° C. The linerless engine block also includes a first bond coating disposed on the internal surface within the bore, and a second wear-resistant coating disposed on the first bond coating within the bore such that the second wear-resistant coating is adhered to the polymer matrix composite by the first bond coating. A method of forming the linerless engine block is also described.

Abstract: A method of identifying a fault in a friction brake actuated by hydraulic brake pressure and configured to decelerate a vehicle road wheel includes detecting, via a first sensor, a vibration at the road wheel and communicating data indicative of the detected vibration to a controller. The method additionally includes detecting, via a second sensor, upon application of the hydraulic brake pressure, a hydraulic brake pressure variation and communicating data indicative of the detected hydraulic brake pressure variation. The method additionally includes comparing, via the controller, the data indicative of the detected vibration with a threshold vibration value and the data indicative of the detected hydraulic brake pressure variation with a threshold hydraulic brake pressure value.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seatback coupled to the seat base. The seatback includes a rigid frame, a first textile layer attached to the rigid frame, a second textile layer attached to the rigid frame, and at least one textile interconnecting tube coupling the first textile layer to the second textile layer. The textile interconnecting tube is attached in tension between the first textile layer and the second textile layer to dampen dynamic loads applied to the seatback. Instead of (or in addition to) the textile interconnecting tube, the seatback may include a plurality of tension elements interconnecting the first textile layer and the second textile layer.

Abstract: A switch of an inverter module is disposed in a coolant channel, is configured to be immersed in coolant in the coolant channel, and includes: a first terminal disposed on a first plane and configured to connect to a direct current (DC) reference potential; a second terminal disposed on a second plane and configured to connect to an alternating current (AC) reference potential; a gate, an emitter, and a collector; first cooling features that extend away from the first and second planes, that directly contact the first terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough; and second cooling features that extend away from the first cooling features, the first plane, and the second plane, that directly contact the second terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough.

Abstract: An electric machine is described, and includes a rotor that is rotatably disposed in a stator. The rotor includes a rotatable shaft that is disposed on a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of laminations that are disposed on the rotatable shaft. The plurality of laminations are arranged on the rotatable shaft to form a plurality of axially-disposed cavities, wherein each of the cavities is defined by a surface. A coating is disposed on the surfaces of the cavities, and a curable filler material is introduced into each of the cavities. The curable filler material adheres to the plurality of laminations via the coating.

Abstract: A method for noise cancellation includes monitoring a system for a current operating point, monitoring the system for a predetermined disturbance, and in response to the predetermined disturbance, determining the disturbance to be in one of a transient or steady state response period. A set of data is selected corresponding to the current operating point of the system, the disturbance, and the response period from a database containing predetermined noise cancellation waveform data. A noise cancelling waveform is output to audio transducers based upon the selected set of data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting and assigning objects to sensed values. An object detection arrangement includes a processor that is programmed to execute a first branch of instructions and a second branch of instructions. Each branch of instructions includes receiving a modality from at least one sensor of a group of sensors via a respective interface and determining an output value based on the modality. The object detection arrangement includes an association distance matrix. Modalities of different branches of instructions define different modalities of an object external to the object detection arrangement. The object detection arrangement cumulates the output values, and the association distance matrix associates an object to the cumulated output values to thereby detect and track the object external to the object detection arrangement.

Abstract: A motor stator includes a plurality of stacked annular stator laminates defining a stator core having a plurality of stator teeth on an inner diameter thereof, at least some of the plurality of stator laminates including a plurality of coolant openings therethrough. The plurality of coolant openings of adjacent stator laminates communicate with one another in order to define cooling channels inside the stator core. At least some of the plurality of stator laminates include the plurality of coolant openings including a plurality of generally circumferentially extending slots.

Abstract: An example method for assisting autonomous vehicle (AV) riders reach their destination after drop-off can include receiving, by an autonomous vehicle (AV), a ride service request from a user, the ride service request specifying a pick-up location, a pick-up time, and a destination of a trip associated with the ride service request; navigating the AV to the pick-up location; providing the user a recommendation for where to sit within the AV, the recommendation being based on at least one of the destination of the trip, a drop-off location associated with the trip, environment conditions associated with the drop-off location, and an estimated egress location; receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the AV; determining, based on the sensor data and the drop-off location, a pull-over location for dropping off the user; and navigating the AV to the pull-over location.

Abstract: A method of fusion welding two ferrous alloy component parts, at least one of which is considered unweldable, involves placing a low carbon steel band into a groove defined in part by each of the ferrous alloy component parts and then conveying a concentrated energy source along a welding line that overlaps the low carbon steel band to melt the steel band along with adjacent portions of the ferrous alloy component parts to form a blended alloy weld pool. The blended alloy weld pool solidifies behind the forward movement of the concentrated energy source into a weld joint that fusion welds the ferrous alloy component parts together. The ferrous alloy component parts may include a differential casing and a ring gear. In that regard, a differential casing and ring gear assembly that includes a weld joint is also disclosed.