Abstract: A system and method for limited rate context-based eye gaze encoding includes generating, based on an outward looking camera situated in a vehicle, a first video stream of a surrounding environment to a controller. The controller generates a scene description based on the first video stream and selects a corresponding scene from a predefined list of known scenes. Further, the controller, based on the selected corresponding scene, selects a codebook of encoding and decoding parameters from a plurality of predefined codebooks. Based on an inward looking camera situated in the vehicle, a second video stream of a face of a driver to an eye tracker controller is generated, where the eye tracker controller estimates a gaze direction of the driver. Encoded data comprising the estimated gaze direction of the driver is transmitted over a bandwidth limited channel to a decoder, based on the selected codebook, the encoded data.

Abstract: Architectures and techniques for radar interference detection are provided. A radar sensor system in accordance with the present disclosure may receive, via a radio frequency (RF) receiver, radar signals including a radar signal of interest and one or more interfering radar signals. The radar sensor system may calculate a Doppler spectrum for each of the radar signals and perform a chirplet transform on the Doppler spectrum to generate various waveform parameters. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) may be performed on the waveform parameters to extract frequency features of the radar signals. The radar sensor system may classify the frequency features using a classifier to identify interfering frequency features associated with the interfering radar signals using a classifier. The radar sensor system may further extract interfering waveform information based on the interfering frequency features of the interfering RF signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of providing rider service for an autonomous vehicle (AV) system, including operating an AV to provide a trip to a passenger; associating the passenger with a unique passenger identifier (UPID); receiving passenger metadata for the passenger according to the UPID; and responding to a rider service instance, comprising customizing the response according to the UPID and the passenger metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated detection and disinfection of microbes in autonomous vehicles, to prevent possible transmission of diseases or illness to subsequent users. Automated detection and disinfection of a vehicle includes autonomously scanning various parts of the autonomous vehicle for microbes, selecting a disinfectant based on detected microbes, and autonomously disinfecting at least a portion of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an active safety feature of a vehicle are provided. The systems and methods receive radar data from a radar device of the vehicle and image data from a camera of the vehicle. Object detection and tracking processes are performed on the radar data and the image data to identify and track objects in an environment of the vehicle. Conditions are assessed with respect to identified objects to ascertain whether a radar track is erroneously reported as a separate object to a camera track. When the conditions are assessed to be true, an object corresponding to the camera track is used as an input for controlling an active safety feature of the vehicle and an object corresponding to the radar track is discounted for controlling the active safety feature of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of a variable position ball joint with dynamic length are disclosed and include a ball, and a seat with a guide surface; an arc of the ball defines endpoints of an arc path for revolving the ball in the guide surface; a center point of the ball is concentric with a center of rotation of the seat so that the center point of the ball and the seat move in a single axis of movement; and an interface that guides the ball along the guide surface, wherein the guide surface is parallel to the single axis of movement to cause the ball to traverse the seat travel arc while maintaining a center of rotation concentric with the seat resulting in a change in length of an attached component with respect to a concentric center point of rotation during an articulation action of the ball joint.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: A selectively pivotable mid-gate for a vehicle includes a first mid-gate member pivotally mounted to the vehicle through a hinge member and a second mid-gate member is pivotally mounted to the vehicle and the first mid-gate member through the hinge member. A latch system is operatively connected to the first mid-gate member and the second mid-gate member. The latch system is selectively operable to release the first mid-gate member to rotate in a first direction and to release the first mid-gate member and the second mid-gate member to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of fuel injectors for a vehicle may include determining a total fuel mass for a combustion stage in a cylinder. The method further may include determining a first injection mass for a first fuel injector and a second injection mass for a second fuel injector. A sum of the first injection mass and the second injection mass is equal to the total fuel mass. The first fuel injector and the second fuel injector are configured to provide fuel to the cylinder. A first minimum mass per pulse of the first fuel injector is greater than a second minimum mass per pulse of the second fuel injector. The method further may include controlling the first fuel injector and the second fuel injector based at least in part on the first injection mass and the second injection mass.

Abstract: An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.

Abstract: Herein, a technology is discussed that facilitates remote assistance for an occupant of a vehicle in response to the detection of distressed vehicle loading conditions during a power-assisted loading of cargo into the vehicle. The technology and techniques described herein detect a distressed condition that occurs during a power-assisted loading of cargo into a vehicle. In response to the detected condition, the technology and techniques notify a remote communications center and facilitate the assistance of an occupant in cooperation with that center.

Abstract: Excessive expansion of rechargeable batteries during recharging is a significant concern since the uncontrolled buildup of high internal battery pressures from expansion inside a confined space can lead to separator membrane failure and/or thermal runaway of a battery cell. A crushable foam or honeycomb insert layer is placed inside of a rigid battery fixture to automatically limit the progressive buildup of internal battery pressure due to charging-induced expansion of the battery cell during recharging. The crushable insert layer is included as part of the rigid battery fixture. Aluminum honeycomb cores and porous aluminum metal foam materials have a significant amount of crushability over a very wide range of compressive strains. Alternatively, a porous metal foam or metal honeycomb material may be infused with a liquid polymer (e.g., silicone, rubber, EDPM, or polyurethane) to enhance the mechanical properties of the polymer-infused metal foam or honeycomb metal/polymer composite material.

Abstract: A mechanical design of a rechargeable battery cell (e.g., a Lithium-ion battery) disposed inside of a prismatic can, for use in electric vehicles and other electric-powered devices. The improved design uses a thermally conductive insert to divide the battery cell into two adjacent volumes that each hold a pair of stacked layers of a battery cell. This thermally conductive insert conducts heat from the center of the battery cell during battery recharging to actively-cooled channels disposed in a pair of cooling manifolds that are disposed on two vertical sides of the battery cell. Alternatively, or additionally, an actively-cooled bottom cold plate can be used. The pair of stacked battery layers can each be wound in a “jelly-roll” geometric configuration. The thermally conductive insert may be made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A modular battery system includes a battery pack with multiple battery modules electrically interconnected via a plurality of electrical cables. A plurality of switches selectively connects the multiple battery modules. A direct current (DC) charge connector is configured to electrically connect the battery pack to an off-board DC fast-charging station, via the plurality of electrical cables. The pack circuit is adapted to switch between a first configuration and a second configuration based on a respective position of the plurality of switches. A controller is configured to select the respective position of each of the plurality of switches to transition the pack circuit between the first configuration and the second configuration, in response to input signals indicative of a requested operating mode of the battery pack. The first configuration provides three parallel electrical pathways, and the second configuration provides two parallel electrical pathways.

Abstract: An electrolyzer stack, an electrolysis system, and a method for operating an electrolysis system are provided. In one example, the electrolyzer stack includes a cell block that includes a plurality of cells configured to receive and convert water to form a hydrogen product stream. A bladder is in fluid communication with the hydrogen product stream and is operatively disposed to apply a force to the cell block when pressurized by a portion of the hydrogen product stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include sensors and a processor of a vehicle that is configured to tow a trailer. The sensors are configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to surroundings of the trailer. The processor is coupled to the sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate retrieving information as to a profile of the trailer, the profile including required clearances for the trailer based on extensions of the trailer that are configured to be retracted while the trailer is moving and fully extended when the trailer is parked and the extensions are utilized; determining whether any obstacles are in a path of the trailer when the extensions are fully extended, based on the sensor data and the profile; and taking an action, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when obstacles are in the path of the trailer.