Abstract: Applications supporting operations of an autonomous vehicle fleet can be implemented on and supported by cluster infrastructure. These applications have endpoints where data traffic runs in and out of these applications. Securing access to these endpoints can prevent unauthenticated and unauthorized access to these endpoints and the protected resources accessible through these endpoints. Securing access to these endpoints, managing entitlements and security policies, and maintaining security systems that can enforce the security policies are not trivial tasks. One solution addresses some of these challenges by offering a simple frontend for users to define the entitlements and security policies, leveraging an open source security solution, and ensuring backwards compatibility to other security solutions in the cluster infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. Centrifugally distributing the precursor includes contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

Abstract: Approaches to managing navigation of autonomous vehicles through minor-major intersections are disclosed. A minor-major intersection is detected. Shadow tracks are generated for occlusions associated with the minor-major intersection. A maneuver evaluation is performed based on induced kinematic discomfort and post-encroachment time. Preliminary lateral and longitudinal planning is performed based on shadow tracks, induced kinematic discomfort and post-encroachment time to generate one or more proposed trajectories. Final trajectory generation is performed by refining at least one of the one or more proposed trajectories to generate the final trajectory. The autonomous vehicle performs a selected maneuver corresponding to the final trajectory within the minor-major intersection.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for designing a manufacturing system. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for designing a manufacturing system includes: identifying a potential hazard for the manufacturing system; evaluating, via a processor, the potential hazard with respect to a plurality of possible injuries associated with the potential hazard; and providing output, via instructions provided by the processor, with respect to the potential hazard based on the evaluating of the potential hazard with respect to the plurality of possible injuries associated with the potential hazard.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising receiving by an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) service provider a request for an AV service from a user, wherein the request identifies an origin and a destination for the AV service; identifying a plurality of possible routes between the origin and the destination; and, for each one of the plurality of possible routes assigning to the one of the possible routes at least one of a comfort score, a confidence score, and a risk an risk score based on data associated with the one of the possible routes determining a price for the one of the possible routes based on a combination of the at least one of the comfort score, the confidence score, and the risk score assigned to the one of the possible routes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to distribute coolant to an electric motor. The apparatus includes a pan configured with a set of holes for coolant flow; an assembly including a set of bar linkages, a set of discs, and a single actuator motor wherein the assembly is attached to the pan wherein the single actuator motor is linked via bar linkages to discs that enable configuring a planar angle of the pan to obtain an optimum hole location of holes for coolant flow; and in response to external disturbances to the apparatus that redirect the coolant flow from the target region of the electric motor, the single actuator motor is controlled by an algorithm to change the planar angle of the pan to obtain the optimum hole location to direct coolant flow to the target region of the electric motor.

Abstract: A method for reducing parking violations includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, sign information of one or more traffic signs in an area surrounding the vehicle, wherein the sign information is a time series of data acquired by a set of cameras as the vehicle moves, using the vehicle as a frame of reference; identifying, by the controller, a potential parking spot in an area surrounding the vehicle; determining, by the controller, using the sign information, whether the potential parking spot is valid or invalid for the vehicle; and generating, by the controller, a notification if the potential parking spot is invalid.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on opening a first fuse switch. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load via a second fuse switch. The first fuse and the second fuse are part of a cluster of fuses. A controller opens the first fuse switch and keeps the second fuse switch closed based on the vehicle entering a key-off mode in which the vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a reflective surface includes a first imaging assembly configured to take a first image of the reflective surface. The first image includes depth information. The system also includes a second imaging assembly configured to take a second image of the reflective surface. The second image includes contrast information. The system further includes a processor configured to acquire the first image and the second image, estimate a depth profile of the surface based on the depth information, correlate the depth profile with the second image, and identify a feature of the reflective surface based on the correlation.

Abstract: A system for controlling propulsion in a vehicle includes a switching system connected to a battery system connected to a drive unit and to one or more electrical loads by a propulsion bus. A controller is configured to control the switching system to vary a voltage applied to the drive unit. The controller is configured to receive a request to transition between operating modes, the transition including a change of a voltage applied to the drive unit from an initial voltage level to a target voltage level. The controller is configured to sequentially perform deactivating the one or more electrical loads, based on the target voltage being higher than the initial voltage, pre-charging the one or more electrical loads, based on the target voltage being lower than the initial voltage, performing a discharge procedure, and operating the switching system to apply the voltage at the target voltage level.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automatically updated, self-reporting bill of materials. System components report important identifying information including firmware versions, software versions, and part numbers. In particular, when the system detects a change in a component, the bill of materials is updated. Additionally, a log of changes is saved.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for generating synthetic 3D environments, In some aspects, the disclosed technology includes a process of synthetic environment generation that includes steps for collecting sensor data corresponding with a three-dimensional (3D) space, generating a 3D mesh based on the sensor data, and generating one or more synthetic 3D objects based on the 3D mesh and the sensor data. In some aspects, the process can further include steps for generating a 3D synthetic environment comprising the one or more synthetic 3D objects, wherein the 3D synthetic environment is generated based on the 3D mesh. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to simulating patterns of reflected radar energy off of reference objects using motion data associated with these reference objects. This motion data may identify start times, start locations, end times, and end locations of a limited number reference objects in a set of discrete scenes. Each of these discrete scenes may also have a same time duration. Motion of these specific objects between a start time and an end time of each discrete scene may be interpolated. Once the locations of the objects are interpolated for a given scene, simulations may be performed to estimate the appearance of reflected radar signals that would be received by a radar apparatus. These simulations may identify patterns of reflected radar energy after radar signals have been emitted from the radar apparatus and these patterns may then be provided to train a machine learning apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided in a vehicle having a Hitch Articulation Angle (HAA) calculation system for estimating an HAA between the vehicle and a towed trailer. The method includes: receiving a plurality of ultrasonic sensor (USS) range measurements for a first USS on the vehicle while the vehicle is towing the trailer in a forward direction; receiving a plurality of HAA values calculated using geometric equations or a kinematic model that correspond to the plurality of USS range measurements; receiving a USS range measurement for the first USS while the vehicle is operating in a reverse direction or experiencing a high HAA but not from a second USS; estimating an HAA value from the USS range measurement by applying the USS curve characteristics for the first USS; and providing the estimated HAA value to a vehicle motion control system for use in controlling vehicle and trailer motion.

Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a compressor housing having an inlet port configured to receive intake air and an outlet port configured to discharge pressurized air. A hollow section having an inner radial surface defines the inlet port of the compressor housing. A compressor wheel is disposed in the hollow section. A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) passage is configured to allow airflow between a crankcase of an engine and the hollow section of the compressor housing. The PCV passage has an outlet opening that opens into the hollow section of the compressor housing and the inner radial surface includes an integrally formed raised boss surrounding the outlet opening and protruding into the hollow section.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes strengthened structural elements effected through surface alloying and heating via an induction heating fixture. A rotor includes laminations formed to have internal cavities and structural members adjacent the cavities. A number of the laminations are stacked to form a lamination stack. An alloying material is applied to the lamination stack at the structural members. The lamination stack is placed in a fixture so that an inductor extends along the structural members and cooling elements extend through the cavities. A current is applied to the inductor to heat the structural members, alloying the alloying material into the structural members.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a liquid electrolyte, a metallic battery enclosure or “can,” and a liquid solution. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution may be disposed within the battery can. The liquid solution may be disposed between the electrode assembly and the battery can. The liquid solution may include an organic solvent, a cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linking agent which may be converted into a conductive layer by reacting the cross-linkable polymer and the cross-linking agent of the liquid solution to form a reaction product. The liquid solution may include an ion conducting salt. The reaction product may be a polymer matrix and the organic solvent and/or the ion conducting salt may be contained within the polymer matrix. Reacting the cross-linkable polymer and the cross-linking agent may include applying heat to the liquid solution to convert the liquid solution into the reaction product.

Abstract: A method and system for brokering cloud event (CE) communications between a plurality of devices operable within a distributed publisher-subscriber system. The brokering may include constructing a plurality of publisher-subscriber connections between the devices and a gateway, and in response to receiving a plurality of publish packets at the gateway, relaying the publish packets from the gateway via the connection associated with a topic identified therein.