Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling towing of a trailer by a vehicle. Sensors are configured to at obtaining sensor data pertaining to the vehicle and the trailer. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium is configured to store parameters that include dimensions pertaining to the vehicle, the trailer, or hitching of the trailer to the vehicle via a hitch. A processor is coupled to the sensors and to the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and is configured to at least facilitate determining when instability of the trailer is likely to occur at a future time, using the sensor data and the parameters from the non-transitory computer readable storage medium; and taking vehicle actions, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when it is determined that the instability of the trailer is likely to occur at the future time.

Abstract: A display obscuration tool for identifying one or more obscured zones within a display, such as surface areas of the display blocked from view. The tool may include a spatial detection module configured for determining a relative positioning between a display onboard a vehicle, a steering wheel or other implement onboard the vehicle, and a driver, and a gaze detection module configured for determining a field of view for the driver. The tool may further include an obscuration module configured for identifying one or more obscured zones based at least in part on the relative positioning and the field of view.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle having a power inverter module includes an alternating current (AC) power bus coupled to the power inverter module. The AC power bus has a plurality of busbars for conducting an AC current having multiple phases. The AC power bus is coupled to a stator in an electric motor configured to generate torque to propel the vehicle. A controller is adapted to determine an estimated temperature of the AC power bus for the multiple phases based on a plurality of factors. The plurality of factors includes an oil flow rate of a motor oil and a coolant flow rate of an inverter coolant that are in respective direct or indirect thermal contact with the plurality of busbars. The controller is adapted to control operation of the vehicle based in part on a highest one of the estimated temperature of the multiple phases.

Abstract: A hexagonal battery cell. The battery cell may include a wound jelly roll within a hexagonally shaped case. The jelly roll may include a separator layer sandwiched between a cathode layer and an anode layer, with the separator, cathode, and anode layers wound together relative to a central axis. The hexagonally shaped case may surround a perimeter of the jelly roll.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a coolant cavity having a coolant flow path configured for fluidly communicating coolant and a hydrogen cavity having a hydrogen flow path configured for fluidly communicating hydrogen. The hydrogen cavity may include a plurality of fins dispersed in-line throughout. The heat exchanger may further include a housing configured for thermally coupling the coolant cavity with the hydrogen cavity, optionally with the thermal coupling providing conductive heat transfer between the coolant and the hydrogen based at least in part on a portion of the heat transfer occurring through the fins.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and associated method of operation includes assembling a fuel cell stack including an exhaust valve, flowing a premixed gas containing carbon monoxide therethrough; and closing the exhaust valve, including prior to storage. Subsequently, the exhaust valve may be opened and a refresh operation may be executed to purge the carbon monoxide from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating vehicle parameters of a vehicle. A maximum desired vehicle acceleration and a minimum excitation acceleration in a first direction are determined. The minimum excitation acceleration is associated with generating an estimated vehicle parameter. A first control input for transmission to an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to apply a temporary excitation acceleration that is greater than the minimum excitation acceleration and less than the maximum desired vehicle acceleration is generated. The estimated vehicle parameter is generated using a vehicle parameter estimation observation model based on vehicle data received from at least one vehicle sensor. The vehicle data is generated in response to the application of the temporary excitation acceleration to the vehicle. The estimated vehicle parameter is transmitted to the ADAS of the vehicle for replacement of a previous vehicle parameter at the ADAS with the estimated vehicle parameter.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles can offer affordable, accessible, and efficient transportation for passengers and cargo. For passengers with different mobility abilities, it can be a challenge to enter and exit an autonomous vehicle. It may also be difficult to bring a wheeled carrier in and out of an autonomous vehicle. A smart ramp can be included with an autonomous vehicle to improve the experience and safety of those with different mobility abilities, and to make it easier for wheeled carriers to go up and go down the ramp. The smart ramp has actuatable tiles that can be selectively actuated based on the position of a wheel of a wheeled carrier and a direction of travel of the wheeled carrier. The tiles may have a rubber-like material on a top side to provide grip and traction for users of the ramp.

Abstract: Vehicles, wheel assemblies for vehicles, and methods for suppressing noise from vehicles are provided. A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle; a wheel hub configured to rotate within the knuckle, the wheel hub extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured for engaging a wheel; a constant velocity (CV) joint configured for transferring torque from power plant to the wheel hub, wherein the CV joint has an outer surface including a shoulder; a recess formed between the proximal end of the wheel hub and the shoulder of the CV joint; and a noise-canceling washer positioned in the recess, wherein the noise-canceling washer abuts the proximal end of the wheel hub and the shoulder of the CV joint.

Abstract: A method for controlling charging of a battery to minimize or avoid lithium plating. The method may include charging the battery during with a first charge current having a first charge profile, monitoring charging of the battery with the first charge current, and thereafter charging the battery with a second charge current having a cathode charge profile to prevent a cathode potential of the battery from exceeding a cathode threshold.

Abstract: A method for enabling vehicle connected services for a hearing-impaired vehicle occupant includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a vehicle. The sensor data includes scene data indicative of a scene inside the vehicle and outside the vehicle. The method further includes determining that the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant is articulating sign language using the sensor data. Also, the method includes determining a vehicle-occupant message corresponding to the sign language articulated by the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant to generate vehicle occupant-message data in response to determining that the hearing-impaired vehicle occupant is articulating sign language. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle occupant-message data and the scene data to a remote system in response to generating the vehicle occupant-message data. Further, the method includes receiving a vehicle connected service from the remote system.

Abstract: A computing system that can receive an object search request from a user indicating a request to search for a specific object in an area traversed by one or more autonomous vehicle. The object search request can include a set of physical characteristics of the specific object. The computing system can then transmit a signal to an autonomous vehicle indicating a request for the autonomous vehicle to search for the specific object. The signal can cause the autonomous vehicle to transmit an image, selected based on a physical characteristic of the object, to the computing system. The computing system can then generate a score indicative of a difference between one or more physical characteristic of the object in the image and the specific object. The computing system can then selectively transmit the image to a mobile device operated by the user based on the score.

Abstract: A computer is provided for a network communication system of a motor vehicle. The system includes a central gateway and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) coupled to the central gateway. The computer includes one or more processors and a computer readable medium (CRM) coupled to the processors. The processor is programmed to receive an input database including a plurality of messages with a plurality of unique periodic rates. The processor is further programmed to assign a plurality of delayed start times for associated messages, with a number of the messages transmitted at each of the delayed starting times being limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database including the delayed start times, such that the ECUs are coded based on the output database to transmit the messages at the associated delayed start times to decrease a congestion of the system.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for using a multi-sensor modality target to evaluate autonomous vehicle sensors. An example method can include identifying a sensor target panel based on a first set of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) return signals corresponding to at least one retroreflective panel associated with the sensor target panel. In some aspects, the method can include transmitting a plurality of LiDAR beams directed toward the sensor target panel, wherein the sensor target panel includes a first sensor target region that is associated with a first reflectivity value and a second sensor target region that is associated with a second reflectivity value. In some cases, the method can include determining one or more LiDAR parameters based on a second set of LiDAR return signals corresponding to the sensor target panel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of a vehicle. The system includes a controller in operable communication with the DMS of the vehicle. The controller is configured to, by a processor: receive a signal from the DMS that a camera of the DMS is unable to monitor a driver of the vehicle, determine a cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver, and adjust an escalation algorithm of the DMS based on the determined cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver. The escalation algorithm is configured to perform actions based on activity of the driver.

Abstract: A methodology is described for determining a time for responding to an initial encounter by a vehicle with a map error in a map segment, wherein the initial encounter is detected by a detector. A method includes identifying an error type associated with the map error, wherein the error type is one of a first error type and a second error type; determining at least one additional factor associated with the initial encounter; determining a response time for the map error based on the error type and the at least one additional factor; and initiating a mitigating action in response to the initial encounter within the response time, wherein the response time comprises an amount of time from the initial encounter with the map error to a time at which a mitigating action should be taken.

Abstract: An electric vehicle, and braking system and a method of operating the electric vehicle. The braking system includes a mechanical braking system, a regenerative braking system, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a total braking torque for operating the electric vehicle at a selected velocity during braking, determine an available regenerative braking torque via the regenerative braking system, calculate a mechanical brake torque for the mechanical braking system from the total braking torque and the available regenerative brake torque, and apply the mechanical brake torque at the mechanical braking system.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes first and second battery cells, a heat sink, and a plurality of sheets of a thermally conductive material arranged in a stack. The first and second battery cells are arranged adjacent to each other. The heat sink is arranged adjacent to the first and second battery cells. A first portion of the stack is disposed between the first and second battery cells. A second portion of the stack is disposed adjacent to and in thermal communication with the heat sink. The first portion of the stack conducts heat from the first battery cell while limiting heat conducted to the second battery cell. The second portion of the stack transfers the heat to the heat sink.