Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automotive component and method of finishing such component including a polymer substrate, a tinted primer disposed over a first surface of the polymer substrate, a semi-transparent metallic coating disposed over the tinted primer. The semi-transparent metallic coating and tinted primer define at least one discontinuity. The automotive component further includes a top-coat disposed over the semi-transparent metallic coating and fills in the discontinuity. In aspects, the automotive component is back-lit and includes a light emitting source optically coupled to a second surface of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A system for measuring effects of vibration on rheometric properties of a fluid sample. The system includes a receptacle configured to hold the fluid sample and receive a probe extending from a rheometric measuring device. A vibration generator is configured to vibrate the fluid sample within the receptacle while the rheometric measuring device measures the rheometric properties of the fluid sample. A vibration control module is configured to control frequency at which the vibration generator vibrates.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy for high pressure die casting of ultra-large vehicle body structures. The aluminum alloy includes about 4.00 to about 12.00 weight percent silicon (Si); about 0.20 weight percent maximum (Max) copper (Cu); about 0.40 weight percent Max magnesium (Mg); about 0.20 to about 0.60 weight percent iron (Fe); about 1.00 weight percent Max manganese (Mn); about 0.50 weight percent Max zinc (Zn); about 0.02 weight percent Max strontium (Sr); about 0.50 weight percent Max cerium (Ce); about 0.01 weight Max percent boron (B); and a remaining weight percent aluminum (Al). The aluminum alloy provides an as-cast yield strength of greater than 130 Megapascals (MPa), ultimate tensile strength of greater than 260 MPa, and elongation of greater than 6% without the need for heat treatment.

Abstract: A system includes a first webbing payout sensor configured to detect a first webbing payout of a seatbelt associated with a vehicle seat, the first webbing payout being a length of webbing extended from a retractor of the seatbelt, an occupant detection module configured to identify a state of the vehicle seat, the occupant detection module identifying an occupied state when an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat and an unoccupied state when the vehicle seat is free from an occupant, and a seatbelt wear condition module in communication with the first webbing payout sensor and the occupant detection module and configured to identify whether a seatbelt buckle extender is used in conjunction with the seatbelt based on the first webbing payout and the state of the vehicle seat identified by the occupant detection module.

Abstract: A motor stator includes a stator core having a plurality of stator teeth on an inner diameter thereof and defining a respective plurality of slots between the plurality of stator teeth. A plurality of windings are disposed in the slots. A heat pipe network includes a plurality of evaporator portions including a hollow structure disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of slots and including an interior having a wick extending along the interior of the hollow structure. A condenser portion has an interior portion in communication with the plurality of evaporator portions and is located at an end of the stator core. The wick of each of the plurality of evaporator portions extend into the condenser portion.

Abstract: A torque transfer member having a strengthened fluid port and a method of making the same. The torque transfer member includes a body member formed of a steel alloy and is rotatable about a rotational axis. The body member includes an external surface, an interior surface defining a fluid passageway extending through the body, and a fluid port in communication with the fluid passageway. The fluid port includes a port surface connecting the external surface of the body to the interior surface of the fluid passageway. A compressive load above a yield point of the steel alloy is applied to the port surface by using a steel mandrel having a hardness of greater than 60 HRC. The body member is subjected to a heat treated process to form a hardened case after the compressive load is removed from the port surface.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell, such as a lithium-ion cell, is assembled with a solid electrolyte layer member positioned between co-extensive surface layers of an anode active layer member and a cathode active material layer member. At least one of the engaging surfaces of the solid electrolyte layer is not flat. It is formed with a topographical pattern comprising recesses in a flat surface, or a surface of projections and recesses, and placed against a compatibly-shaped, mating surface of the anode layer and/or the cathode layer. The re-shaping of the surface(s) of the solid electrolyte layer and adjoining electrode layer(s) is to significantly increase the effective contact area with the facing layer of electrode material and improve the conduction of ions across the interface. A thin film of interlayer material may be placed between the surfaces of the facing cell members with the specially shaped adjacent faces.

Abstract: A method and system for public key infrastructure (PKI) in software defined vehicles enables secure communication between electronic components. The method includes establishing trust between multiple electronic components through a certificate history comprising signed public keys stored on each component. Once trust is established through attestation between components, the method utilizes signed Diffie-Hellman key exchange to securely distribute symmetric keys to the trusted components. These symmetric keys enable authenticated communication between the components to control vehicle systems and functions. The system operates locally without requiring internet connectivity or specialized service tools, allowing for secure field replacement and upgrading of components while maintaining system security through verification of component authenticity and prevention of counterfeit hardware.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU), or node, is configured to use a single key for generating requests from a security peripheral for a MAC. The security peripheral includes the stored shared key. The security peripheral may further include a policy enabling it to detect if a request from the V-ECU is valid, in which case it generates a MAC. The security peripheral is also used to store information in a MAC Generate Allow List (MGAL). In some embodiments, the receiving nodes in a network receive data based on a security peripheral's response to a transmit nodes requests for a MAC. The receiving nodes use this knowledge to avoid being spoofed.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for managing an electrical system. One method involves identifying a current condition associated with an energy source coupled to an electrical grid, identifying a current operating state associated with the vehicle electrical system, determining an adjusted control target for the energy source to increase availability of the energy source based at least in part on the current condition and the current operating state, identifying a control scheme for the energy source based at least in part on the current condition associated with the energy source, and autonomously operating the vehicle electrical system in a manner that is influenced by the adjusted control target in accordance with the identified control scheme.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using a self-illuminating harp to calibrate for distortion. In particular, apparatus, methods and systems are provided for imaging and analyzing self-illuminated harp in order to correct for lens distortion. In various implementations, an array of media is strung plumb which resembles a harp. The media can be light fibers or other suitable material which can be strung in a straight line. The cores of translucent fibers are illuminated. These are configured to scatter light throughout their bulk which escapes the core by egressing along the length of fiber. This light produces plumb lines which can be imaged, analyzed and model. In some implementations, imaging is performed by rotation to include a full FOV.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for controlling operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) based on changing weather conditions. A weather state that is changing in an environment during operation of an AV can be identified based on data gathered by the AV operating in the environment. An extent that the weather state has changed in the environment can be determined from the data gathered by the AV. Operation of the AV can be controlled based on both characteristics of the weather state that is changing and the extent that the weather state has changed.

Abstract: A method can be used to provide smart notifications to avoid collisions while the vehicle maneuvers in a tight structural environment, such as a home garage or an underground parking lot. The method includes receiving historical vehicle-trajectory data. The historical vehicle-trajectory data includes the location and the heading of the vehicle for each of the plurality of historical trajectories along the structure. The method further includes clustering the plurality of historical trajectories of the vehicle along the structure by types of maneuvers to generate a plurality of trajectory clusters. The method also includes creating a probability distribution bitmap using the plurality of trajectory clusters and creating a topographic map based on the probability distribution bitmap.

Abstract: A vehicle distraction monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of the vehicle and a vehicle processor that includes a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware storing vehicle data, and distraction zone data. The vehicle processor is configured to receive vehicle sensor data and distraction sensor data from the plurality of sensors and is configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of the distraction zone data, the vehicle sensor data, and the distraction sensor data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is executed by data processing hardware of a display calibration system in communication with a camera system of a motor vehicle that has a vehicle display. The method includes computing a first gamma value for a vehicle display based on at least one display specification or a vehicle statistic. Additionally, the method includes receiving a display look-up table, which is modified based on the computed first gamma value to generate a transformation look-up table. Image data from the camera system is received, and the transformation look-up table is applied to the image data to generate transformed image data. Simulated image data is generated based on the transformed image data, and this simulated image data is rendered at a display of the display calibration system. The rendered display corresponds to the vehicle display.

Abstract: An electric machine with reconfigurable rotor poles. The machine may include a stator including a plurality of stator windings configured for generating a rotating magnetic field (RMF) and a rotor configured for rotating within the stator according to a torque induced by the RMF. The rotor may include a plurality of rotor windings wrapped around a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotor protrusions. The electric machine may include a rotor power transfer circuit operable for reconfiguring electrical excitation of the rotor windings according to a plurality of excitation modes.