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: Methods for manufacturing three-dimensional objects using an additive manufacturing technique, methods for forming dye-infused feed material for an additive manufacturing technique, and vehicles including additive manufactured components are provided. An exemplary method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object using an additive manufacturing technique includes solubilizing a dye into a medium in the form of a supercritical fluid and contacting a feed material with the medium to infuse the dye into the feed material to form dye-infused feed material. The method further includes locally melting the dye-infused feed material in selected regions of a layer corresponding to a cross-section of a three-dimensional object being formed and solidifying the dye-infused feed material into a solid layer of dye-infused material. Further, the method includes repeating the local melting and solidifying steps to form the three-dimensional object made up of a plurality of solid layers of dye-infused material.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal system for a vehicle includes an adjustable brake pedal assembly including a dual lever having an upper pivot mount portion and a pair of laterally spaced lower pedal mount portions, a pedal arm adapted to be selectively mounted to either of the pair of laterally spaced lower pedal mount portions, a foot pedal mounted at an end of the pedal arm. An adjustable accelerator pedal assembly including an upper lever arm having an upper pivot mount portion, an intermediate link having an upper end pivotally mounted to the upper lever arm by a first pivot joint and a pedal arm having an upper end mounted to a lower end of the intermediate link by a second pivot joint and including a foot pedal at a distal end.

Abstract: An active vehicle restraint system an airbag inflator configured to expel an inflator gas in response to an airbag trigger control signal, an airbag cushion having a pusher chamber wherein the airbag cushion is configured such that the inflator gas is directed towards the pusher chamber such that the pusher chamber is pressurized before a remainder of an airbag cushion chamber, a vehicle trim piece affixed to a vehicle body with a retention element such that the vehicle trim piece covers a portion of the airbag cushion, wherein the retention element is configured such that the retention element is detached from the vehicle body by the pusher chamber and wherein the retention element maintains a structural integrity during a detachment process from the vehicle body, and an electronic control unit for generating the airbag trigger control signal in response to the sensor control signal.

Abstract: Wireless transmission of data packets between controllers is executed over a plurality of integrated hybrid wireless communication channels, with proportional allocation of communication links for guaranteed and best-effort communication links. Data packets may be communicated across a plurality of wireless communication channels to ensure delivery of on-demand performance.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves identifying a stationary object outside a current lane of travel based at least in part on sensor data captured onboard the vehicle, determining an estimated location for the stationary object based at least in part on the sensor data and a location of the vehicle and providing the estimated location to a remote system. The remote system updates lane preference information corresponding to the estimated location for the stationary object when the stationary object satisfies one or more avoidance criteria. The method continues by determining a trajectory for a vehicle to change lanes based at least in part on the updated lane preference information and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining metrics for construction zone detection and evaluating the performance of construction zone detection. A construction zone can be manually labeled, and the human labels are converted to a format that can be input to a neural network. The neural network input represents polygons indicating the construction zone, as well as various construction zone objects. When an AV drives to the construction zone, the AV detects the construction zone objects and generates a predicted construction zone, including, for example, predicted edges. The predicted connectivity of the construction zone objects is evaluated to determine accuracy of the detected construction zone.

Abstract: Characterizing notification distinctiveness for a finite-system machine (FSM) modeled system based on distinctiveness ratings generated for state transitions of the FSM-modeled system. The distinctiveness ratings may be operable for comparatively quantifying relative distinctiveness for notifications used to provide feedback for state transitions. The distinctiveness ratings may be generated to comparatively quantify relative distinctiveness between notifications of a transitioned-from and a transitioned-to state of the state transition associated therewith.

Abstract: A volunteering platform facilitates voluntary activities associated with AV rides. The platform may receive a request for AV service from a first user and an offer to assist other users from a second user. The platform may determine whether an assistance to be provided by the second user can facilitate the service to be received by the first user. After determining that the assistance to be provided by the second user can facilitate the service to be received by the first user, the platform may pair the first user with the second user. The platform may select an AV from a fleet of AVs to serve the request from the first user with the assistance from the second user. The platform may plan an operation of the AV based on the request from the first user and the offer from the second user. The platform can dispatch the AV.

Abstract: A method of selecting a parking spot for an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving a parking request to park the autonomous vehicle at a parking infrastructure and determining a parking priority for the autonomous vehicle. A parking space is assigned for the autonomous vehicle from a pool of available parking spaces based on the parking priority determined for the autonomous vehicle. A departure status of the autonomous vehicle is monitored to determine if the autonomous vehicle is leaving the parking space. The parking space is associated with the pool of available parking spaces based on the departure status of the autonomous vehicle changing to leaving the parking space.

Abstract: A control system for a rotary electric machine includes an inverter including a plurality of power switches, a heat exchanger, first temperature sensors arranged to monitor the power switches, a second temperature sensor arranged to monitor the heat exchanger, and a controller. An expected power loss is determined based upon electric current, switching functions, and electrical characteristics of the power switches. A plurality of power capacity terms are determined based upon the expected power loss in the inverter, the temperatures of the power switches, and the temperature of the heat exchanger. The inverter is controlled based upon the aforementioned power capacities.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) choke having a housing extending along a longitudinal axis and at least partially defining a three-phase conductor opening extending along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of core segments is at least partially enclosed in the housing along the longitudinal axis and surround the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes collecting user data regarding a user of the autonomous vehicle and analyzing the user data to assign a pickup score to the user for determining when to relocate the autonomous vehicle from a first parking location. The autonomous vehicle is directed to relocate from the first parking location when the pickup score exceeds a predetermined threshold. A second parking location and a parking position are determined for the autonomous vehicle at a pickup location based on the user data when relocating the autonomous vehicle to pick up the user.

Abstract: A method of planning a path for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a plurality of perception images. At least one perception task is detected from the plurality of perception images including identifying a neighboring vehicle. A plurality of vehicle descriptors of the neighboring vehicle is recognized, and a plurality of predetermined vehicle descriptor sets are associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of cluster values with each cluster value being associated with a risk factor. The risk factor is determined based on mapping the plurality of vehicle descriptors recognized for the neighboring vehicle onto one of the plurality of predetermined vehicle descriptor sets and assigning the risk factor associated with the cluster value to the neighboring vehicle. The path for the vehicle is planned based on the at least one perception task and the risk factor and the path is executed for the vehicle.