Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, an induction hub is disclosed for use in powering components in a vehicle. The induction hub includes a source coil; first and second receiver coils having first and second conductive portions, respectively; and at least one isolation member that is positioned between the first and second conductive portions. The receiver coils are separated from the source coil such that, upon being energized by a power source, the source coil creates an induced electromagnetic field (EMF) and an electrical current in the receiver coils, which are in electrical communication with at least one component in the vehicle to thereby deliver power from the receiver coils to the at least one component. The at least one isolation member includes a material that is electrically nonconductive and electromagnetically permeable so as to physically and electrically separate the receiver coils without impacting the induced EMF.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing remote support and negotiating problem situations of autonomous operation of vehicles based on signal states and vehicle information are described. A system comprises a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to: assign vehicles to support queues based on state data, generate a map display including locations of the vehicles, and generate a state display including the support queues, vehicle manager indicators corresponding to the support queues and state indicators corresponding to the state data.

Abstract: A vehicle grille assembly includes a vehicle grille, a grille badge and a washer assembly. The grille has an interior side and an exterior side. The grille badge is supported on a surface of the exterior side of the grille. The washer assembly is disposed adjacent to the grille badge and has a nozzle being configured to move between a stowed position and an operating position. The nozzle is stowed on the interior side of the vehicle grille in the stowed position. The nozzle is on the exterior side of the vehicle grille in the operating position to dispense cleaning fluid toward the grille badge.

Abstract: A first method includes detecting, based on sensor data, an environment state; selecting an action based on the environment state; determining an autonomy level associated with the environment state and the action; and performing the action according to the autonomy level. The autonomy level can be selected based at least on an autonomy model and a feedback model. A second method includes calculating, by solving an extended Stochastic Shortest Path (SSP) problem, a policy for solving a task. The policy can map environment states and autonomy levels to actions and autonomy levels. Calculating the policy can include generating plans that operate across multiple levels of autonomy.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag control system includes an airbag module, a temperature detector and an electronic controller. The airbag module is for a vehicle. The airbag module has an airbag with a vent. The temperature detector configured to detect an ambient temperature of the vehicle. The electronic controller is programmed to control the airbag module between an active venting condition and a non-venting condition based on a detected result detected by the temperature detector. The vent is in an open state in the active venting condition. The vent is in a closed state in the non-venting condition.

Abstract: A fuel filler structure includes a vehicle body panel, a filler housing, a filler tube cap and a tether. The vehicle body panel defines a fuel filler opening. The filler housing has an outboard side and an inboard side. The outboard side is installed to the vehicle body panel at least partially surrounding the fuel filler opening and is dimensioned to receive and surround a portion of a fuel filler tube. The filler tube cap is configured to removably attach to the fuel filler tube at least partially within the filler housing. The tether is attached at a first end to the filler tube cap and is attached at a second end to the filler housing for pivoting movement about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle traversing a vehicle transportation network may use a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model instance. A multi-objective policy for the model is received, wherein the policy includes at least a first objective, a second objective, and a priority of the first objective relative to the second objective. A representation of the policy (e.g., the first objective, the second objective, and the priority) is generated using a user interface. Based on feedback to the user interface, a change to the multi-objective policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model is received. The change is to the first objective, the second objective, the priority, of some combination thereof. Then, for determining a vehicle control action for traversing the vehicle transportation network, an updated multi-objective policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model is generated to include the change to the policy.

Abstract: An apparatus for traveling through a transportation network performs a method including generating a display that includes a geographical area about a starting location for route assistance through the transportation network and a virtual vehicle at the starting location, and forming a virtual path for the route assistance using the virtual vehicle. The virtual path includes a first portion obtained from advancing the virtual vehicle from the starting location while an autonomous vehicle (AV) is at the starting location and a second portion obtained from, after the virtual vehicle departs from the starting location, extrapolating from the virtual vehicle through the geographical area to a stopping location or an ending location of the route assistance. Points along the virtual path are continually transmitted to a trajectory planner of the AV while the virtual vehicle advances through the geographical area, and the trajectory planner generates a route for the AV conforming to the virtual path.

Abstract: Navigating a vehicle from an origin location to a destination location includes receiving, from a requester, the origin location and the destination location; determining a transition point between the origin location and the destination location that partitions a portion of a route between the origin location to the destination location into a first route segment and a second route segment; and providing the transition point, the first route segment, and the second route segment to the requester. The vehicle is to be driven according to a first drive mode in the first route segment that ends at the transition point and according to a second drive mode in the second route segment that starts at the transition point.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel that partially defines a cavity therein, a door handle assembly, a main reinforcing bracket, a first reinforcing bracket and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket has an upper end fixedly attached to the main reinforcing bracket and to a rearward area of the inner door panel within the cavity below the door handle assembly. The vibration absorbing member has an outboard surface, an inboard surface and a main projection that extends forward from the main body. The main projection is fixed to the first reinforcing bracket such that the main body is rearward of the first reinforcing bracket. The outboard surface is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the overall shape of the inboard portion of the door handle assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rail assembly includes a roof rail and a bracket. The roof rail is fixedly attached to the roof of a vehicle. The roof rail has a recessed portion with fastener receiving portions located therein. The bracket has an attachment flange and an accessory supporting flange rigidly fixedly attached to the attachment flange. The attachment flange is removably attached to the roof rail via first fastener members that are removably fixed to the fastener receiving portions. The attachment flange overlays a section of the recessed portion the roof rail. The accessory supporting flange has an opening defined therein for attachment of roof accessory retaining elements.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle during a parking operation includes positioning a vehicle in a parked position during a first parking operation, and detecting a distance of the vehicle from an object when the vehicle is in the parked position. The distance is stored in a vehicle memory. The distance from the object is recalled during a second parking operation with the vehicle. An indication is provided during the second parking operation when the vehicle is spaced from the object by the distance.

Abstract: A method of exception handing for an autonomous vehicle (AV) includes identifying an exception situation; identifying relevant sensors for the exception situation; identifying relevant tools to the exception situation, the relevant tools usable by a tele-operator to resolve the exception situation; and presenting, on a display of the tele-operator, data from the relevant sensors and the relevant tools.

Abstract: A keyfob retaining tool includes an ignition switch retaining section, a keyfob retaining section attached to the ignition switch retaining section and an ignition switch installed to the ignition switch retaining section. The ignitions switch is configured to temporarily connect to wiring of a vehicle for electronic communication with an ECM (electronic control module) of the vehicle. The keyfob retaining section is configured to temporarily retain a keyfob adjacent to the ignition switch such that the keyfob establishes a communication connection via the ignition switch with the ECM of the vehicle in order to electronically pair the keyfob with the ECM of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an inner sill member, an outer sill member and a first reinforcement bracket. The inner sill member has an inner upper flange, a horizontally extending section and an inner lower flange extending downward from the horizontally extending section. The outer sill member has an outer upper flange and an outer lower flange. The inner upper flange and the outer upper flanges are fixedly attached to one another. The inner lower flange and the outer lower flanges are fixedly attached to one another defining a sill structure with hollow interior. The first reinforcement bracket is disposed within the hollow interior and has an outboard portion fixedly attached to the outer sill member and an inboard portion fixedly attached to the horizontally extending section of the inner sill member.

Abstract: A torque rod for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions. The first end portion is configured to be connected to a first hinge member connected to the closure panel. The second end portion is configured to be connected to a second hinge member connected to the closure panel. The fixing portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body structure. A first coiled spring portion is disposed between the first end portion and the fixing portion. A second coiled spring portion is disposed between the second end portion and the fixing portion.

Abstract: A vehicle activity monitoring system includes a front door sensor configured to detect movement of the front door between closed and open positions. A vehicle component sensor is configured to detect movement of a vehicle component between closed and open positions. An alerting device is configured to provide an indication that an object has potentially been left in the area of the vehicle interior. A controller is configured to operate the alerting device to provide the indication based on the controller detecting a sequence of events in which the front door is detected to be moved to the open position prior to the vehicle component being moved to the open position. The operation of the alerting device by the controller is not based on a physical detection of a presence of the object.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle service system having a display device, a receiver, and a controller. The receiver is configured to receive transmitted data from an autonomous vehicle related to status of the autonomous vehicle and information from a third party related to road conditions. The controller is programmed to monitor the transmitted data related to the status of the autonomous vehicle and the road conditions, determine when the autonomous vehicle requires assistance based on the transmitted data, and, when the autonomous vehicle requires assistance, cause information related to the autonomous vehicle to be displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A vehicle air handling system includes a user input interface, air duct housing, first and second panel duct doors, at least one air blower, and a first panel actuation assembly. The air duct housing has an air inlet, and first and second panel ducts. The first and second panel duct doors are disposed to selectively open and close the first and second panel ducts, respectively. Air is drawn into the air duct housing via the air inlet and conveyed toward the panel ducts. The first panel actuation assembly is operatively coupled to the first and second panel duct doors to simultaneously control positions in response to operation of the user input interface between a plurality of settings. The positions of the first and second panel duct doors include at least one setting in which different airflow volumes are passed by the first and second panel duct doors.

Abstract: A vehicle air induction assembly includes an air guide, an air duct and a bracket member. The air guide is configured to be connected to a vehicle fascia. The air duct is configured to be connected to the air guide. The air duct is configured to supply air to an engine air filter. The bracket member is connected to the air guide. The bracket member has a front wall facing in a forward direction of a vehicle, a rear wall facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and an upper wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall. A first air inlet in fluid communication with the air duct is defined by a surface of the air guide and the front, rear and upper walls of the bracket member. The first air inlet faces in a lateral direction of the vehicle.