Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods of extending regenerative braking functionality in a hybrid electric vehicle by providing engine brake energy sinking. According to examples, engine brake energy sinking includes driving a generator connected to an internal combustion engine as a motor against an engine brake of the internal combustion engine. Power required to turn the generator against the engine brake may be generated through regenerative braking and is not limited to battery conditions. Thus, consistent braking torque may be applied by regenerative braking, where any excess recovered energy that cannot be absorbed by the vehicle’s battery is dissipated by the engine brake. For instance, the excess recovered energy may be converted into kinetic energy and heat, where the heat may be dissipated by one or more cooling systems in use for the internal combustion engine and generator or used to heat one or more vehicle components.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system that includes a smart airbag is described. The airbag includes a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor located proximal to a first end of the airbag. The ToF sensor emits a signal towards a second end of the airbag opposite the first end along a longitudinal axis, and detects a reflection of the signal. The ToF sensor outputs a value indicating the distance between the first end and the second end based on an elapsed time between the time at which the signal was emitted and the time at which the reflection was detected. The ToF sensor may be located inside or outside the airbag. In the latter case, the ToF sensor emits and detects the signal through a transparent window in the airbag. A computing device receives one or more values from the ToF sensor and determines a vehicle characteristic based on the value(s).

Abstract: Providing additional mass air flow to an engine of a vehicle to expand an operating range of cylinder deactivation (CDA) is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure describe a method and system to provide additional mass air flow to an engine using an auxiliary air source coupled to a turbocharger. When a low air-to-fuel ratio state is determined in association with operating the vehicle in CDA mode, the auxiliary air source is activated to assist the turbocharger with increase the supply of supercharged intake air to the engine. Accordingly, the operating range of CDA is expanded.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing intelligent energy-efficiency performance coaching. Energy efficiency performance is measured by a performance score calculated in association with various efficiency metrics. The performance score may be provided as feedback to the operator and may further be used by an operator reward system and/or gamification system. An intelligent energy-efficiency coach responds to variability in operator behaviors by using tunable variables to bias weighting constants assigned to the efficiency metrics to normalize calculations of performance scores. The intelligent energy-efficiency coach may use reinforcement machine learning techniques to calculate tunable variables and adjust performance scores on an ad hoc basis.

Abstract: Localization of a vehicle based at least in part on a map of reflective objects having specular reflectivity. A specular constellation map generation system and method are used to create a mapping of location, orientation, and reflectivity values of reflective objects in a driving surface. A specular constellation localization system and method collect reflection data associated with a driving surface and generate a constellation of specular highlights associated with the reflection data. The constellation of specular highlights can be used in conjunction with a location of a light source and the mapping of reflective object values to determine a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: Providing additional mass air flow to an engine of a vehicle to expand an operating range of cylinder deactivation (CDA) is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure describe a method and system to provide additional mass air flow to an engine using an auxiliary air source coupled to a turbocharger. When a low air-to-fuel ratio state is determined in association with operating the vehicle in CDA mode, the auxiliary air source is activated to assist the turbocharger with increase the supply of supercharged intake air to the engine. Accordingly, the operating range of CDA is expanded.