Abstract: Method of using a vehicle to alert to potential risks includes determining that a user of the vehicle will be absent; determining an estimated absence time; and sending an alert to authorities, via a control system, if the user does not return within the estimated absence time. The method may include receiving the estimated absence time from the user, or the control system of the vehicle determines the absence and the estimated absence time. The user may define the absence and input the estimated absence time through a centralized location, such that the alert is sent from the centralized location. Following expiration of the estimated absence time, detecting a pedestrian near the vehicle, and then playing a pre-recorded emergency message through speakers, such that the pedestrian is made aware of the pre-recorded emergency message. Vehicle lights/horn may operate to guide the user, possibly in decaying fashion.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a positive electrode that includes a positive electroactive material, a negative electrode that includes a negative electroactive material, and a free-standing separating layer disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The free-standing separating layer includes a gel membrane that includes a polymer host and a liquid electrolyte and an integrated structural component disposed within the gel membrane. The integrated structural component may be selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, a nonwoven material, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: An electroactive material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The electroactive material includes a plurality of atomic layers and a plurality of cations disposed between the atomic layers. The plurality of atomic layers includes an atom selected from the group consisting of: silicon, germanium, boron, and combinations thereof. The plurality of cations is selected from the group consisting of: calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, nickel, potassium, sodium, and combinations thereof. A ratio of the cations to atoms that define the atomic layer may be less than about 1:2.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of embossments in a sheet of metal includes: (i) placing the sheet onto a first surface of a die having a plurality of embossment cavities thereon, wherein the sheet has a bottom surface in contact with the first surface of the die and a top surface having an ablative coating formed thereon; and (ii) directing a laser beam at the ablative coating at one or more loci on the top surface of the sheet which correspond to the plurality of embossment cavities on the first surface of the die, so as to locally ablate the ablative coating at the one or more loci and turn the ablative coating at the one or more loci into plasma, thereby causing a plasma pressure shock wave at each of the one or more loci which presses the sheet into the embossment cavities to form the embossments.

Abstract: An object detection and predictive motion warning system for a vehicle. The system may include a plurality of weight sensors configured to generate weight values in response to pressure being applied thereto and an object detection and predictive motion controller configured to detect an object within the vehicle and to predict a motion assessment for the object as function thereof.

Abstract: An illuminated sensor target includes a light source. Actuating the light source illuminates the sensor target. The illuminated sensor target is recognized by one or more sensors of a vehicle during a calibration process, and is used to calibrate the one or more sensors of the vehicle during the calibration process. The illuminated sensor target is illuminated during at least part of the calibration process, which may involve rotation of the vehicle about a turntable, with the illuminated sensor target positioned within a range of the turntable along with other sensors targets, which may also be illuminated.

Abstract: A collision warning system notifies an occupant of a vehicle about a predicted collision between the vehicle and an object moving relative to the vehicle. The system includes an object input device, a vehicle input device, and a road detection module for generating a road signal associated with a road geometry that is visible through the windshield and located within a field of view of the occupant. The system further includes an ARHUD for generating multiple images upon the windshield and overlaid onto the road geometry. The system further includes a computer including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions. The processor is programmed to determine a predicted collision between the object and the vehicle at a predicted time. The processor is further programmed to generate an actuation signal for actuating the ARHUD to generate the images upon the windshield and overlaid onto the road geometry.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a plurality of different software models allowing a processor to perform calculations associated with different sets of criteria using data associated with variables that have a strong correlation with one or more of the different criteria sets. Methods consistent with the present disclosure may use several different sets of software that include instructions associated with the collection and evaluation of data associated with a vehicle and with an automated driving system. Different criteria sets may be associated with a range of operating modes, spectral content of received signals, phases of radar signals, and an angular coverage/field of view of the radar apparatus. Results generated by each of the software models may allow a processor to assign weights to the results generated by the different models to generate a combined result that in turn is used to update an operational mode of the radar apparatus.

Abstract: A door assembly of a vehicle includes a first door panel located in a first guide groove and movable at least partially across a door opening from a first side of the door opening toward a second side of the door opening, and a second door panel spaced apart from the first door panel and located in a second guide groove. The second door panel is movable at least partially across the door opening from the first side toward the second side. One or more first magnetic elements are located at the first door panel, and one or more second magnetic elements disposed at the second door panel. A magnetic force between the one or more first magnetic elements and the one or more second magnetic elements urges the first door panel into contact with a sidewall of the first guide groove.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for performing object detection during autonomous driving includes: performing 3D object detection in a 3D object detection segment; uploading an output of multiple sensors in communication with the 3D object detection segment to multiple point clouds; transferring point cloud data from the multiple point clouds to a Region Proposal Network (RPN); independently performing 2D object detection in a 2D object detector in parallel with the 3D object detection in the 3D object detection segment; and taking a given input image and simultaneously learning box coordinates and class label probabilities in a 2D object detection network operating to treat object detection as a regression problem.

Abstract: A vehicle network logging system (VNLS) is described and includes an automated driving systems computer (ADSC) installed on the vehicle, the ADSC comprising a load balancing module; and at least one logger installed on the vehicle, wherein the at least one logger is connected to the ADSC via a communications network comprising a plurality of communications links and wherein the at least one logger receives from the ADSC data for logging in at least one database of the at least one logger, wherein the data is received from the ADSC via the plurality of communications links; wherein the load balancing module performs load balancing of the data across the plurality of communications links, wherein the load balancing is performed based at least in part on disk utilization information for the at least one logger and network utilization of the communications network.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method including determining a dispatch state of a vehicle traversing a current route based on data available from a fleet management system associated with the vehicle; selecting a driving dynamics mode for the vehicle based on the determined dispatch state, wherein the driving dynamics mode determines at least one of a route the vehicle is directed to traverse and a driving behavior of the vehicle; and operating the vehicle in the selected driving dynamics mode.

Abstract: An infotainment system for a vehicle selects and plays recordings based on a current emotion of a user in response to receiving a user-generated query. The user-generated query includes one or more words indicating a current state of mind of the user. The infotainment system includes one or more controllers in electronic communication with one or more recording databases that store a plurality of content clusters that each describe a specific recording. The one or more controllers execute instructions to select a recording described by a selected content cluster, where the recording reflects the current emotion of a user.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery tray having a base wall, a plurality of side walls, and a cover that collectively define a receiving zone. A vent includes an inlet and an outlet exposed to the battery receiving zone. A battery is supported by the base wall. A battery electronic controller (BEC) is arranged in the receiving zone and directly connected to the battery.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for detecting malodor within a cabin of an autonomous vehicle, wherein initiation of a remediation system and/or dispatch of the autonomous vehicle to a service hub for mitigating the malodor is based upon sensor signals that monitor the cabin of the autonomous vehicle. The remediation system can include devices such as an HVAC system or a window, which are operated to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds an air quality threshold. A dispatch protocol may be initiated to dispatch the autonomous vehicle to a service hub when the malodor is associated with certain predefined incidents or when remediation fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules below the air quality threshold.

Abstract: A head-up display system includes a first plurality of on-board sensors adapted to detect vehicle driving characteristics, a wireless communication module adapted to receive information from external sources, a driver monitoring system adapted to track a driver's eyes, and a controller in electronic communication with the first plurality of on-board sensors and the wireless communication module, the controller adapted to determine if the vehicle is performing a parking maneuver, and, when the vehicle is performing a parking maneuver, to capture images of an environment surrounding the vehicle, detect objects within the environment, identify location markers for a parking space and objects within the environment surrounding the vehicle adjacent to the parking space, determine the position of the vehicle relative to the identified location markers and objects, and display, with a projection module a parking assist graphic adapted to provide guidance to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for forming a prelithiated, layered anode material includes contacting an ionic compound and a lithium precursor in an environment having a temperature ranging from about 200° C. to about 900° C. The ionic compound is a three-dimensional layered material represented by MX2, where M is one of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and X is one of silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and boron (B). The lithium precursor is selected from the group consisting of: LiH, LiC, LiOH, LiCl, and combinations thereof. The contacting of the ionic compound and the lithium precursor in the environment causes removal of cations from the ionic compound to create openings in interlayer spaces or voids in the three-dimensional layered material thereby defining a two-dimensional layered material and also causes introduction of lithium ions from the lithium precursor into the interlayer spaces or voids to form the prelithiated, layered anode material.