Abstract: Autonomous vehicles utilize perception and understanding of road users to predict behaviors of the road users, and to plan a trajectory for the vehicle. Understanding subtypes and attributes of vehicles may help autonomous vehicles better predict behaviors of and react to vehicles in a variety of road situations. To offer additional understanding capabilities, an additional understanding model is added to the perception and understanding pipeline to improve classification of vehicles and extraction of attributes of the vehicles. The exemplary architectures of the understanding model balance recall and precision performance metrics and computational complexity.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for sensor alignment include acquiring a translational vector, a first calibration point location and a second calibration point location, determining an expected rotational orientation in response to the translational vector, the first calibration point location and the second calibration point location, capturing an image of the a first calibration point and the second calibration point, determining a first position of the first calibration point and a second position of the second calibration point in response to the image, calculating a calculated rotational orientation in response to the first position of the first calibration point and the second position of the second calibration point, determining a calibration value in response to the calculated rotational orientation, storing the calibration value and controlling a vehicle in response to the calibration value and a subsequent image.

Abstract: One or more messages may be sent to a user who is to receive an item delivered by an AV. A message may include information of an attribute of the item that triggers the generation of the one or more messages. The attribute may indicate an extent of ease of the user carrying the item from a predetermined location, e.g., the drop-off location for the delivery. The attribute may be size, weight, temperature requirement, packaging, shape, etc. The item may be classified into a category requiring communication based on the attribute of the item and information of the user. A message may include a recommendation for using a tool or seeking help for carrying the item. A message may include an option to modify a setting (e.g., drop-off location) of the delivery. The classification of the item or generation of a message may be done by a machine learning model.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle external to a back office portal. The back office portal is operational to generate a signed update mode record. The vehicle has multiple devices and a component. The component is in communication with the devices, and operational to receive the signed update mode record, verify that the signed update mode record is from the back office portal and was created for the component, erase credentials within the component that establish the component as valid to the plurality of devices in response to the verification of the signed update mode record, perform an irreversible action within the component, enter a software update mode, exit the software update mode, and reject each request from the plurality of devices to the component that relies on the credentials that were erased from the component.

Abstract: Methods of securing a vehicle, via controller, include monitoring local events; determining whether the vehicle is parked in a dangerous area; and taking corrective action to protect the vehicle. Methods may include determining whether local events have occurred within a prescribed distance and, if the local events have occurred within the prescribed distance, arming the vehicle. Methods may include determining whether valuable items have been left in view and notifying a user of the vehicle if valuable items have been left in view via wireless communications. Methods may include locking vehicle doors and monitoring external and internal data or self-driving the vehicle to a safer area. Furthermore, if the methods determine that a theft is occurring on the vehicle, using nearby self-driving vehicles to block the vehicle in, which may be reached via V2X or a back office asking the nearby vehicles to block the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an individualized map highlighting undiscovered areas of a locale. In particular, systems and methods are provided for providing a map that visually differentiates areas a user has visited from areas a user has yet to explore. In some implementations, generalized maps are displayed with highlighted and lowlighted areas representing unexplored and explored areas of the map. A generalized map can show popular tourist destinations or other features of each area. In some examples, specific map details of a particular area are revealed when a user selects the particular map area. In some examples, unexplored areas are revealed when a user elects to visit the unexplored area.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles utilize perception and understanding of road users and road objects to predict behaviors of the road users and road objects, and to plan a trajectory for the vehicle. Understanding subtypes and attributes of vulnerable road users may help autonomous vehicles better predict behaviors of and react to vulnerable road users. To offer additional understanding capabilities, an additional understanding model is added to the perception and understanding pipeline to improve classification of vulnerable road users and extraction of attributes of the vulnerable road users. The exemplary architectures of the understanding model balance recall and precision performance metrics and computational complexity.

Abstract: Presented are automated vehicle systems for provisioning manufacturing mode (MM) for connected vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and wireless-enabled vehicles with MM functionality. A method of controlling operation of a vehicle includes receiving an MM-install signal indicating the vehicle has reached a predefined assembly line location during vehicle assembly. When at this predefined location, the vehicle is installed with an MM operating mode, which contains a predefined spatial limitation, a preset MM start trigger, and an anti-theft protocol. A controller of the vehicle activates the MM operating mode responsive to detecting the vehicle experiencing the preset MM start trigger while within the predefined spatial limitation.

Abstract: A telematics controller, a second controller, a dual-function audio speaker, and a switch are included. The telematics controller is in communication with a first microphone. The telematics controller includes a first amplifier, and is configured to communicate with a remote facility. The second controller includes a second amplifier and a second microphone. The switch is arranged in the telematics controller, and an electrical link is arranged between the second controller and the telematics controller. The dual-function audio speaker is selectively connectable to the second amplifier via the switch and the electrical link. The dual-function audio speaker is also selectively connectable to the first amplifier via the switch. The switch is operatively controlled by the telematics controller, and the telematics controller is operative to control the switch to control the dual-function audio speaker to effect wireless audio communication between the vehicle and the remote facility.

Abstract: An electrode stack for a solid-state battery is provided. The electrode stack includes a cathode. The cathode includes a cathode current collector and a first layer of material applied to the cathode current collector. The first layer of material includes a cathode active material, a first ionomer configured as a first binder, and a conductive material. The electrode stack further includes a solid electrolyte separator layer, including a second ionomer configured as a second binder. The electrode stack further includes an anode including a layer including lithium metal, silicon, or graphite and an anode current collector. One of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a shape-memory ionomer configured for selectively restoring the electrode stack to an original shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by the controller, return data generated by a lidar device of the vehicle; determining, by the controller, at least one overlapping channel of redundant return data; determining, by the controller, an optimization framework of equations based on modeled errors of the at least one overlapping channel; solving, by the controller, the optimization framework using a least squares method to determine an error value; determining, by the controller, a state of health of the lidar device based on the error value; compensating, by the controller, the return data from the lidar device based on the error value; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle based on the compensated return data.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes battery cells, each having a respective gas vent. The RESS also includes a cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation and has a cell holder for supporting the battery cells. The cell holder defines apertures arranged in rows and each aperture fluidly communicates with one cell vent. The assembly also includes multiple thermal-barrier strips adhered to the holder. Each thermal-barrier strip extends parallel to a respective aperture row to thermally insulate each corresponding cell from gases expelled by neighboring cells during a thermal runaway. The assembly additionally includes multiple potting elements. Each potting element is arranged in one of the apertures between a respective cell and a corresponding thermal-barrier strip to thereby adhere to the cell and to the corresponding thermal-barrier strip and maintain position of the cell on the holder. A motor vehicle may employ such a RESS.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) include forming a cell holder configured to support the RESS battery cells. The cell holder has a holder body defining a plurality of apertures arranged in rows, such that each aperture is configured to align and be in fluid communication with a cell vent of one of the RESS battery cells. Individual embodiments of the method also include various techniques of arranging a plurality of thermal-barrier strips and potting elements to align with apertures of the cell holder body and adhering the thermal-barrier strips to the potting elements and to the cell holder. The resultant cell support assembly operates to channel thermal runaway energy away from the affected battery cell(s) and out of the RESS enclosure without triggering thermal runaway in adjacent cells.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to receive sensor data including wheel speed measurements, suspension displacement measurements, and tire leak detection data from a vehicle, estimate a rough road measurement based on a deviation of a wheel speed with respect to an average wheel speed and or based on suspension displacement sensor signals and generate temporal spatial map data indicative of a location and a roughness severity metric of a roadway portion based on the rough road measurement and tire leak detection data.

Abstract: A system for enhancing occupant awareness for a vehicle includes a camera system for capturing images of an environment surrounding the vehicle, a display for displaying information to the occupant of the vehicle and a controller in electrical communication with the camera system and the display. The controller is programmed to determine an activation state of the system. The controller is further programmed to capture an image of the environment surrounding the vehicle using the camera system in response to determining that the activation state is the activated state. The image has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the image includes a trailer connected to the vehicle and the second portion of the image. The controller is further programmed to display the second portion of the image to the occupant using the display based at least in part on the first portion of the image.

Abstract: A vehicle trajectory planning system includes a perception system of a host vehicle collecting information from multiple sources and communicating with a computer. A fusion module fuses scene information from a map and perception items identified by the perception system. A behavior planning module receives an output of the fusion module and produces a host vehicle baseline trajectory. A trajectory and motion planning module receives an output of the fusion module in parallel with the behavior planning module. The trajectory and motion planning module determines a reference trajectory and operation corridor for a host vehicle. A disturbance and reachability refiner module receives an output of the trajectory and motion planning module including the reference trajectory and operation corridor. An algorithm is applied to adjust and re-plan the host vehicle baseline trajectory to be robust to a range of inclement weather conditions.

Abstract: A system for unsupervised radar calibration of a vehicle is contemplated. The system may include a radar having a plurality of antennas configured to transmit radar signals and responsively receive reflected signals. The system may further include a calibration controller configured to determine a plurality of detections from the reflected signals corresponding with unsupervised objects in the vicinity of the vehicle, and based on the detections, to generate a calibration matrix sufficient for calibrating the radar.