Abstract: A system for controlling turbocharger shaft speed for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes sensors and actuators and control modules in communication with the sensors and actuators. The control modules store and execute control logic that generates a predicted shaft speed from turbocharger shaft speed data. A shaft speed control algorithm (SSCA) is selectively initialized. The SSCA generates lower and upper limits to turbocharger flow corrections applied via the actuators. Closed loop control outputs are applied selectively to the actuators to control a mass flow through a compressor of the turbocharger. The SSCA selectively determines the shaft speed has exceeded a threshold, and the actuators alter a pressure ratio of the ICE. The SSCA operates the turbocharger stably within predefined hardware limits at an optimum shaft speed while maintaining constant flow across a range of pressure ratios. A long-term memory learning process trims turbocharger performance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for analyzing a traffic infrastructure element, determining reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element based on the analyzing of the traffic infrastructure element, comparing the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element, and providing instructions to an autonomous vehicle based on the comparing of the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with the semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element.

Abstract: A system includes a compressor outlet temperature module, a refrigerant quality module, and a correction factor module. The compressor outlet temperature module is configured to estimate a temperature at an outlet of a compressor in a thermal system of an electric vehicle. The refrigerant quality module is configured to estimate a quality of refrigerant at an inlet of the compressor based on an enthalpy at the compressor inlet and an inlet enthalpy correction factor. The refrigerant quality is a ratio of vapor refrigerant mass to total refrigerant mass. The correction factor module is configured to determine the inlet enthalpy correction factor based on the estimated compressor outlet temperature and a temperature measured at the compressor outlet.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a device includes an electric motor configured to generate torque to propel the device. A controller is in communication with the electric motor and is adapted to select at least one harmonic order for a harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to define a plurality of operating regions, including a first operating region, a second operating region and a third operating region, each associated with a respective objective function for generating the harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to operate the harmonic current command with four degrees of freedom by selectively varying a q-axis current magnitude, a d-axis current magnitude, a q-axis phase and a d-axis phase as a function of the torque and a motor speed.

Abstract: A cushion member having improved variable stiffness for a target is provided. The cushion member comprises a cushion housing having an interior with a variable internal pressure and an exterior surface for receiving the target. The cushion housing is arranged to be deformable and comprises granular particles disposed in the interior of the cushion housing. The cushion housing further comprises hollow particles disposed therein with the granular particles. Each hollow particle is compressible and hollow to define a void therein. The hollow particles have a size, a wall thickness, a material, and a bulk modulus defining infill properties thereof. The hollow particles and the granular particles are arranged to allow the cushion housing to be deformed upon contact with the target. The hollow particles and granular particles define a cushion infill having a variable stiffness based on the infill properties and the variable internal pressure of the interior.

Abstract: A method for vehicle motion control includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a vehicle and monitoring a vehicle response of the vehicle using the sensor data. The vehicle response is represented by a plurality of vehicle-response signals. The method further includes fusing the plurality of vehicle-response signals to obtain at least one fused signal. The method further includes determining whether to activate a vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal and commanding the vehicle to activate the vehicle stability control in response to determining to activate the vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an autonomous vehicle fitting room. In particular, systems and methods are provided for users to try ordered products in an autonomous vehicle at the time of delivery. Users can then take selected products from the autonomous vehicle and/or leave other products in the autonomous vehicle to be returned automatically. The autonomous vehicle can be configured to determine which products were taken and automatically charge a user account for these products.

Abstract: Processing of a fractalet radio detection and ranging (RADAR) signal is described. A reference fractalet waveform is received. The fractalet waveform includes self-similar waveforms having lower frequency bands and frequency bands. A reflected fractalet waveform received via one or more antennae is decoded. A waveform profile of chirplet transforms of signals in the lower frequency bands within the reflected fractalet waveform are compared to the reference fractalet waveform. Time spans corresponding to the subset of lower frequency bands are determined. Signals from the higher frequency bands are extracted from the reflected fractalet waveform. Chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands are determined for the determined time spans. Spatial frequency components along azimuth direction and elevation directions are calculated for targets based on the chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands.

Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a thermal management system configured for thermally managing a battery pack of an electric vehicle. The method may include determining a voltage response of the battery pack while subjected to a test load and generating a thermal assessment for the thermal management system based on the voltage response and/or resistivity values derived therefrom.

Abstract: A battery system includes neighboring first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system also includes a battery system enclosure configured to house each of the first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system additionally includes a vent channel mounted to the battery system enclosure. The vent channel is configured to expel high-temperature gases to external environment separately from each battery cell of the first group of battery cells and divert the high-temperature gases away from other battery cells of the first group of battery cells and from the second group of battery cells. The vent channel minimizes transfer of the high-temperature gases between the battery cells of the first group and from the first group of battery cells to the second group of battery cells and thereby mitigates propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery system.

Abstract: A vehicle has been proposed that is equipped with a processing system coupled to different sensors that may anticipate and mitigate risks leading to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. In some aspects, the processing system identifies, using a plurality of sensors and external vehicle sources over a wireless network, data elements indicating that the vehicle is a potential hazard to a pedestrian. Using the elements, the processing system may determine values of a pedestrian hazard level (PHL) that correspond to successively increasing risks. Where the PHL meets a threshold, the system may employ countermeasures to proactively mitigate the risks of pedestrian incidents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated cleaning and inspection of electric vehicles. The systems and methods for automated cleaning eliminate the need for human interaction with the vehicle and/or cleaning system. Vehicle cleaning is typically a heavily manual task that consumes operation personnel time and resources. Providing automated systems and methods for vehicle cleaning can reduce human resources used for cleaning. Additionally, automated cleaning systems and methods can increase vehicle utilization efficiency by decreasing downtime for cleaning. In various implementations, systems and methods are provided for automated vehicle inspections. In some examples, automated vehicle inspections can occur concurrently with automated vehicle cleaning.

Abstract: A busbar for high conductivity distribution of electrical power within a power module of an electric vehicle (EV). The busbar may include a plurality of multilayer composites having copper-graphene laminations. One or more of the multilayer composite may include a first copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, a second copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, and a carrier substrate disposed relative to the first and second copper-graphene laminations.

Abstract: A battery module includes first and second neighboring battery cells and a mounting plate configured to support the battery cells. The battery module additionally includes an enclosure surrounded by an ambient environment and configured to house the first and second battery cells arranged on the mounting plate. The mounting plate includes a first segment configured to support the first battery cell and a second segment configured to support the second battery cell. The first segment is connected to the second segment via an interface having mechanical strength lower than mechanical strength of each of the first and second segments. The interface is configured to fracture when the first battery cell undergoes a thermal event and separate the first segment from the second segment to exhaust gases from the first battery cell away from the second battery cell, thereby controlling propagation of a thermal runaway in the battery module.

Abstract: An automobile includes an electronic control unit (ECU), at least one fiber optical cable, and a sensor unit. The ECU is operational to generate an optical power signal and a first optical communications signal. The fiber optical cable transports the optical power signal and the first optical communications signal. The sensor unit is operational to convert the optical power signal into an electrical power, convert the first optical communications signal into an electrical control signal, measure a first parameter related to the automobile, and generate a second optical communications signal that conveys the first parameter as measured. The fiber optical transports the second optical communications signal to the electronic control unit. The ECU is further operational to convert the second optical communications signal into a first electrical sensed signal that conveys the first parameter, and take an action based on the first parameter in the first electrical sensed signal.

Abstract: Herein, a technology is discussed that facilitates the reduction of vehicle-related crime by disabling the use of a vehicle's engine when the vehicle is parked in a high-risk crime zone. The technology includes a method that sends a parked location of the vehicle to a data center and receives, from the data center, an indication to enable remote ignition block (RIB) of the vehicle when the parked location is part of a high-risk crime zone. In response, the vehicle enables RIB so that its engine will not start.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated charging of electric vehicles. The systems and methods for automated charging eliminate the need for human interaction with the vehicle and/or charging system. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for a high-utilization system in which one robotic system can be used to connect and disconnect multiple chargers to vehicles in a facility. In particular, a system is provided for connecting and disconnecting electric vehicles with chargers, without each charger having its own robotic arm. In some examples, an overhead gantry system includes a robotic arm that can move from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles. In other examples, a ground-based robot moves from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles.