Abstract: A robotic lifting and orienting system for an overspray-free paint system includes: a base coupled to wheels; and an automated carrier coupled to the base. The automated carrier includes: a fixture assembly configured to hold an object to be painted; one or more manipulators configured to move the fixture assembly relative to a paint robot; a propulsion system connected to the wheels and configured to move the robotic lifting and orienting system; and a control module configured to control the one or more manipulators and the propulsion system to control positioning and orienting of the object relative to at least one of the paint robot and an overspray-free paint applicator of the paint robot.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody includes a system of connected unitized underbody components including a front quadrant system having a left front unitized underbody component and a right front unitized underbody component, a center system, and a rear quadrant system having a left rear unitized underbody component and a right rear unitized underbody component. A first rail element is loosely connected to the left front unitized underbody component and the left rear unitized underbody component, and a second rail element is loosely connected to the right front unitized underbody component and the right rear unitized underbody component.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first battery cell and a neighboring second battery cell, and an insulating member positioned therebetween. The battery module also includes a battery module enclosure surrounded by an external environment and configured to house each of the first battery cell, the second battery cell, and the insulating member. The battery module additionally includes a battery module cover mounted to the battery module enclosure. The battery module cover includes a vent feature configured to expel high temperature gases from the first battery cell and divert the high temperature gases away from the second battery cell directly to the external environment. The cover is thereby configured to minimize transfer of the high temperature gases from the first battery cell to the second battery cell and control propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery module.

Abstract: A method of detecting a malicious wireless vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication includes retrieving perception data from a perception system on an ego vehicle, determining information about nearby objects from the perception data, receiving a first Basic Safety Message (BSM) from a first V2X source and determining if a vehicle location indicated in the first BSM corresponds to a location visible to the ego vehicle. In the event that the vehicle location indicated in the first BSM does not correspond to a location visible to the ego vehicle, the method further includes receiving a second V2X communication from a second V2X source and determining if the second V2X communication indicates a vehicle at the vehicle location indicated in the first BSM. In the event that the second V2X communication does not indicate a vehicle at the vehicle location indicated in the first BSM, the first BSM data is flagged as malicious.

Abstract: Presented are battery assemblies containing adhesives fixturing internal battery components, methods for making/using such battery assemblies, and vehicles with battery packs securing battery cells inside a pack housing using fast-setting and slow-curing adhesives. A battery assembly includes multiple battery cells disposed inside a protective battery housing. Top and bottom shear plates, which are attached to opposing sides of the battery housing, sandwich therebetween the battery cells. A first adhesive layer, which is disposed between the cells and the top shear plate, includes a first adhesive having a first chemical composition with a first curing time, and a second adhesive having a second chemical composition, distinct from the first chemical composition, with a second curing time, faster than the first curing time. A second adhesive layer is disposed between the cells and the top or bottom shear plate, spaced from the first adhesive layer, and includes the first and second adhesives.

Abstract: A battery module with integrated pressure measurement. The battery module may include a plurality of battery cells configured for storing and supplying electrical power, a housing module including a base configured for supporting the battery cells and a plurality of walls configured for providing a restraining pressure on the battery cells, an assembly including a central cover covering the battery cells, a strain gauge circuit configured for sensing a deformation of the central cover resulting from the central cover expanding and contracting with the battery cells, and a cell monitoring unit (CMU) configured for generating a pressure measurement based on the deformation.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a priority of a call in an on-hold queue is presented. Determining a priority of a call is based on information received by an enterprise from a call from a vehicle with an integrated communication device where the call is placed into an on-hold queue to be answered based on its priority. Data from the vehicle with the integrated communication device includes at least a type of call, an account information associated with the vehicle, a vehicle data, and a location of the vehicle. The enterprise determines the priority of the call in the on-hold queue based on the data received from the vehicle with the integrated communication device.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium includes a negative electrode including an electroactive material layer disposed on a current collector that has lithiated silicon oxide (LSO) negative electroactive material at ? about 10 weight % to ? about 30 weight % of a total weight of the electroactive material layer and a carbonaceous negative electroactive material, such as graphite. An electrochemical cell that incorporates such a negative electrode may also include a second electrode comprising a porous positive active material layer comprising a positive lithium containing, nickel-rich electroactive material, such as a lithium nickel manganese cobalt aluminum oxide, a porous separating layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and an electrolyte disposed in pores of the separating layer.

Abstract: A self-protecting functional separator for a battery cell is provided. The self-protecting functional separator includes a polymer substrate including a first primary surface and a second primary surface. The self-protecting functional separator further includes a functional layer applied to the first primary surface. The functional layer including a mixture includes a first piezoelectric material including a single crystal-type material and a second piezoelectric material.

Abstract: An electroactive material for an electrochemical cell includes one or more conductive oxygen storage material coatings or layers. The electroactive material includes a plurality of electroactive material particles disposed to form an electroactive material layer. In certain variations, at least a portion of the plurality of electroactive material particles may have a coating that includes a conductive oxygen storage material. In other variations, a conductive oxygen storage material layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material layer. In still other variations, at least a portion of the plurality of electroactive material particles may have a coating that includes a conductive oxygen storage material, and a conductive oxygen storage material layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material layer. The one or more conductive oxygen storage material coatings or layers may help to improve the thermal stability of the electroactive materials.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream; the apparatus comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit; a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit; wherein the centrifugal separator unit comprises a centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream; the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component; the centrifugal separation chamber comprising a curved or inclined guide surface for g

Abstract: An electric drive system includes a direct current (DC) power supply, a rotary electric machine connectable to a load, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM includes a bulk capacitor connected to the DC power supply, along with a plurality of power switches. Each power switch has an output side connected to the electric machine and an input side connected to the bulk capacitor. The controller executes a method to estimate an internal temperature of the bulk capacitor as an estimated internal temperature. This occurs in response to an enabling condition. The controller then selectively derates the electric machine in response to the estimated internal temperature.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for managing an electrical system. One method involves determining an estimated power consumption associated with one or more loads coupled to an electrical grid, obtaining a current voltage associated with the electrical grid, identifying an expected duration associated with an operating state associated with the vehicle electrical system, determining an energy threshold for the expected duration associated with the operating state based at least in part on the current voltage and the estimated power consumption, and autonomously operating the vehicle electrical system in a manner that is influenced by the energy threshold associated with the operating state.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling an airpath within an automotive vehicle are provided. An air sample is obtained from the airpath, and a determination is made whether an air quality of the air sample meets or exceeds a predetermined air quality standard. Air quality data relating to the air sample is transmitted to a back office. Optionally, external route information is received from the back office relating to one or more alternate routes for the vehicle, and a notification is presented within the interior cabin of the one or more alternate routes along with a respective air quality indication for each of the one or more alternate routes.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for generating long-range objects dataset using proximal time-synced data for object detection models. In some aspects, a method includes receiving a set of sensor data for a first autonomous vehicle (AV) corresponding to first scene data that is part of an intersecting field of view (FoV) with second scene data of a second AV; inputting the set of sensor data to a simulated trained object detection model of the first AV to generate a first set of object detections for the first scene data; comparing the first set with a second set of object detections generated for the second scene data; supplementing the first set of object detections with information from the second set of object detections to generate a supplemental set of object detections; and generating, using the supplemental set of object detections, a training data set for an object detection model of the first AV.

Abstract: An electroactive material for an electrochemical cell includes one or more oxygen storage material coatings or layers. The electroactive material may include a plurality of electroactive material particles disposed to form an electroactive material layer. In certain variations, at least a portion of the plurality of electroactive material particles may have a coating that includes an oxygen storage material. In other variations, an oxygen storage material layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material layer. In still other variations, at least a portion of the plurality of electroactive material particles may have a coating that includes an oxygen storage material, and an oxygen storage material layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material layer. The one or more oxygen storage material coatings or layers may help to improve the thermal stability of the electroactive materials.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling charging security systems to enable sharing of charging stations, such as by allowing vehicle owners to use their cell phone or other device to request disarming or otherwise disabling a charging security system so that a corresponding charging station can be shared with another vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of drone-assisted offroad vehicle emergency systems are addressed. In one aspect, a system includes an offroad vehicle having integrated therein a processing system coupled to a user interface. The processing system is configured to respond to a potential emergency situation including a stranded or lost person or a hazardous condition in a path of the vehicle. An aerial drone is equipped with multiple sensors for receiving data. Responsive to a trigger, the processing system may instruct the drone to deploy one or more times to survey a target region. The drone may receive sensor data relevant to an emergency situation and relay the data back to the vehicle. The processing system analyzes the data to provide a remedial response.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first battery cell and a neighboring second battery cell. The battery module also includes a heat-sink configured to absorb thermal energy from each of the battery cells. The heat-sink includes first and second coolant channels, each associated with and arranged proximate a corresponding first or second battery cell, configured to receive coolant, and defined by a respective cross-sectional area. Each coolant channel cross-sectional area is configured to selectively vary in response to a change in temperature of the associated first or second battery cell. The coolant channel variable cross-sectional areas are configured to bias cooling to a region of the heat-sink proximate to the battery cell experiencing a thermal runaway event and control propagation of the thermal runaway event to the other battery cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for softening a feature of a workpiece. A method for feature softening includes generating a nominal path for softening the feature. Defining points of the workpiece are selected for accuracy of the softening. The workpiece is formed, fixtured in a workstation and imaged. From the imaging and by a processor, an actual location of the defining points on the workpiece as formed and fixtured in the workstation is determined. The processor determines an error between the actual location of the defining points and the design location of the defining points; generates a revised path for softening the feature of the workpiece; guided a material movement machine along the revised path; and softens, by the material movement machine, the feature of the workpiece.