Abstract: A real-time control system for a vehicle, and a method of executing control of the vehicle via the real-time control system includes at least one primary controller that is configured to control slave controllers. The primary controller is configured to queue a task requested by respective vehicle systems, and determine which of the slave controllers is available to execute the task. The primary controller is configured to assign the task to a selected one of the slave controllers to execute the task. The primary controller is configured to re-queue the assigned task if the selected one of the slave controllers does not completely execute the assigned task. The primary controller is configured to assign that re-queued task to another one of the slave controllers to execute the re-queued task. The respective vehicle systems perform the requested task when the selected one of the slave controllers completely executes the assigned task.

Abstract: An apparatus to join two panels together includes a chamber, a horn positioned within the chamber, the horn moving reciprocally within the chamber, and a set of heating elements positioned about the horn to heat the horn. One of the panels has a post molded to it, the post extending through the other panel, and after the horn is heated an end of the horn is placed on top of the post and is ultrasonically vibrated to form a head of the post to join the two panels together.

Abstract: A risk maneuver assessment system and method to generate a perception of an environment of a vehicle and a behavior decision making model for the vehicle; a sensor system configured to provide the sensor input in the environment for filtering target objects; one or more modules configured to map and track target objects to make a candidate detection from multiple candidate detections of a true candidate detection as the tracked target object; apply a Markov Random Field (MRF) algorithm for recognizing a current situation of the vehicle and predict a risk of executing a planned vehicle maneuver at the true detection of the dynamically tracked target; apply mapping functions to sensed data of the environment for configuring a machine learning model of decision making behavior of the vehicle; and apply adaptive threshold to cells of an occupancy grid for representing an area of tracking of objects within the vehicle environment.

Abstract: A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack. A vehicle includes a propulsion system and the fuel cell assembly configured to provide power to the propulsion system in at least one mode. The fuel cell assembly also includes an air compressor and an air pump spaced from the air compressor. The air compressor includes an on position in which the air compressor is configured to supply air to the fuel cell stack and an off position in which the air compressor does not supply air to the fuel cell stack. The air compressor also includes a bearing configured to be levitated via air. The air pump is configured to supply air to the fuel cell stack when the air compressor is in the off position and configured to supply air to the bearing when the air compressor is in the on position.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by determining a plurality of ranges in response to a plurality of light pulse reflections and determining a false target indication by exploiting the expected continuity of surfaces in the environment.

Abstract: A gesture based authentication system for an autonomous vehicle (AV) uses light detecting and ranging (lidar) to observe a user making a specific gesture and, in response to observing the gesture, authorizes the user to access the vehicle. The authentication system may first identify a human in the vicinity of the AV, and then compare a body position of the identified human to a model trained to determine if a human is performing the specific gesture. If the model determines that the identified human is performing the gesture, the AV authorizes the user to access the vehicle, e.g., to accept a delivery or to ride in the AV.

Abstract: A structural arrangement for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame including an upper front rail, a frame rail, and a front hinge pillar, the frame rail extending parallel to a vehicle body axis and the front hinge pillar extending perpendicular to the vehicle body axis, the frame rail including a pulley, a load deflection system including a load member coupled to the upper front rail at a first attachment point, coupled to the frame rail at a detachable attachment point, and coupled to the front hinge pillar at a non-detachable attachment point such that the cable member extends generally longitudinally along the frame rail. The load member passes around the pulley from the first attachment point to the detachable attachment point and defines a load path between the upper front rail and the front hinge pillar utilizing the strength the frame rail.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods, communication systems, and vehicle systems are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system is provided that includes a fleet of vehicles and a remote server. The remote server is remote from the fleet of vehicles, and includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver is configured to receive, over a wireless communication network, a communication with a request for a command to be performed by the fleet of vehicles. The processor is configured to: (A) identify a plurality of vehicles of the fleet of vehicles subject to the command; and (B) provide instructions for each of the plurality of vehicles to perform a vehicle action corresponding to the command.

Abstract: A system includes a fuel control module and a valve control module. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to stop fuel delivery to each cylinder of an engine in a vehicle when the vehicle is decelerating. The valve control module controls a valve actuator to actuate intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder of the engine between open and closed positions when fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is stopped. The valve control module controls the valve actuator to adjust an amount of airflow through each cylinder of the engine to a minimum amount when fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is initially stopped. The valve control module controls the valve actuator to adjust the amount of airflow through each cylinder of the engine to an amount greater than the minimum amount before fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is restarted.

Abstract: An equipment inspection system receives data captured by a sensor of an autonomous vehicle (AV). The captured data describes a current state of equipment for servicing the AV. The equipment inspection system compares the captured data to a model describing an expected state of the equipment. The equipment inspection system determines, based on the comparison, that the equipment differs from the expected state. The equipment inspection system may transmit data describing the current state of the equipment to an equipment manager. The equipment manager may schedule maintenance for the equipment based on the current state of the equipment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed. An example coolant system can be configured in an autonomous vehicle. The system can include a first coolant loop configured with a first series of coolant hoses to communicate a first volume of coolant fluid between a first reservoir, a first coolant pump, a three-way heat exchanger, and a computer system heat exchanger and a second coolant loop configured with a second series of coolant hoses to communicate a second volume of coolant fluid between a second reservoir, a second coolant pump, the three way heat exchanger, and the computer system heat exchanger. The system can further include a third coolant loop configured with a third series of coolant hoses to communicate third volume of coolant fluid between the three-way heat exchanger and an engine heat exchanger of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject technology relate to an automotive camera unit. The automotive camera unit comprises a housing comprising an aperture, a lens positioned to receive an optical image through the aperture of the housing, and an image sensor board mounted within the housing, the image sensor board comprising an image sensor configured to convert the optical image into sensor data. The automotive camera unit further includes an image signal processor (ISP) board mounted within the housing and above the image sensor board, the image signal processor board comprising an image signal processor configured to covert the sensor data into image data for use by an automotive system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a high temperature component comprises an aluminum iron alloy. The aluminum iron alloy comprises 52 to 61 atomic percent of aluminum based on the total atoms of aluminum and iron and comprises a first, B2 phase comprising FeAl and a second, triclinic phase comprising FeAl2. The aluminum iron alloy can comprise an additional element, for example, at least one of silicon or zirconium.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a passenger compartment and a pedal assembly disposed within the passenger compartment. The pedal assembly includes a brake pedal emulator housing and at least one pedal interface coupled to the housing. The vehicle also includes an actuator operably coupled to the brake pedal emulator housing. The actuator is configured to selectively move the housing and the pedal interface between a first position and a second position with respect to the passenger compartment. The vehicle further includes at least one controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control the actuator to move the housing and the pedal interface to the first position, and, in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, control the actuator to move the housing and the pedal interface to the second position.

Abstract: A structural arrangement for a vehicle includes a body structure defining a longitudinal vehicle body axis and a lateral vehicle axis orthogonal to the longitudinal vehicle body axis. The body structure includes a lattice shear structure having a first structural member extending laterally from one side to an opposite side of the vehicle and a second structural member parallel to and longitudinally spaced apart from the first structural member, an upper shear panel extending longitudinally and laterally across the vehicle and joined to the lattice shear structure, and a seat attachment structure having a first end and a second end opposite the second end. The seat attachment structure is oriented longitudinally and is joined to both of the first and second structural members.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes a crankshaft, a control shaft, a drive gear fixed to the crankshaft, a carrier, a first planetary gear set, an actuator, and a second planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set includes a first sun gear fixed to ground, a first ring gear engaged with the drive gear, and a first planet gear rotatably mounted on the carrier and engaged with the first ring gear and the first sun gear. The second planetary gear set includes a second sun gear fixed to the actuator, a second ring gear coupled with the control shaft, and a second planet gear rotatably mounted on the carrier and engaged with the second ring gear and the second sun gear. The actuator is operable to rotate the second sun gear and thereby adjust a ratio of a rotational speed of the crankshaft to a rotational speed of the control shaft.

Abstract: A system for detecting seatbelt routing includes: a state module configured to, based on a series of images over a period of time from a camera of a vehicle facing a seat, determine and output a routing state of a seatbelt of the seat; and a remediation module configured to, based on the routing state of the seatbelt of the seat, selectively perform at least one remedial action.

Abstract: A system and method for managing thermal energy of a vehicle having a battery and an electric propulsion system are provided. The system monitors a current battery temperature, calculates an actual average battery temperature, and compares the calculated actual average battery temperature to a target lifetime battery temperature. If the actual average battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, and the current battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, the system cools the battery to below the current battery temperature. However, if the actual average battery temperature is less than the target lifetime battery temperature, and the current battery temperature is greater than the target lifetime battery temperature, the system delays cooling the battery. Therefore, the system may avoid expending energy to cool the battery in certain conditions.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly for an automobile, comprising a wiper arm, a wiper blade, a plurality of double claw fixtures pivotally mounted onto the wiper arm and adapted to support the wiper blade on the wiper arm, and an actuator adapted to selectively induce rotation of the wiper blade along a longitudinal axis of the wiper blade relative to the wiper arm, each of the double claw fixtures adapted to rotatably support the wiper blade.