Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that implement spatio-temporal query of perception data streams. A system is distinctly designed to implement efficient and flexible spatio-temporal queries, which conduct pattern matching over perception data streams for automotive applications, particularly autonomous vehicles. The system is also designed to enable the spatio-temporal queries to be expressed in SpREs (Spatial Regular Expressions), which is implemented as a querying language that combines the ease of REs (regular expressions) with the enhanced capabilities of spatial logic. Additionally, a method includes receiving a command associated with a spatio-temporal query, wherein the expression comprises spatial regular expressions (SpREs). Thereafter, performing the spatio-temporal query of a plurality of perception data streams using the SpREs, where the SpREs describe spatio-temporal patterns to be searched within the plurality of perception data streams.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to indicating a vehicle virtual connection based on user confusion. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to 1) monitor an environment surrounding a first vehicle that has a virtual connection to a second vehicle, 2) determine a confusion score for a user within the environment, the confusion score indicative of how confused the user is about the virtual connection, and 3) generate an indicium of the virtual connection based on the confusion score.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources, one or processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: receive a lighting profile for an individual or device within visible range of the lighting system, and control the one or more light sources according to the lighting profile. In another embodiment, a method of operating a lighting system includes receiving, from an individual or a device within a visible range of the individual or device, a lighting profile, and controlling one or more lights of the lighting system according to the lighting profile.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to mounting bicycles to vehicles. In one arrangement, a bicycle mount is disclosed. The bicycle mount includes shafts forming a spatial arrangement around a central bicycle mount axis. The shafts define shaft axes, shaft lengths, and one or more bores extending axially along the shaft length. The one or more bores are sized to receive a front wheel axle of a bicycle, such that when the front wheel axle is installed to one of the bores, the bicycle is mounted to the shaft when the front wheel is removed from the bicycle. The bicycle mount also includes cross-members located between the shafts and connecting the shafts in the spatial arrangement.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to illuminating a brake light of a following vehicle based on information obtained during a virtual connection mode. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, when a lead vehicle and a following vehicle are in a virtual connection mode, 1) prevent a brake light of the following vehicle from illuminating based on a default brake light signal and 2) illuminate the brake light of the following vehicle based on information obtained during the virtual connection mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a weather management system launch an aerial feature to an elevation while the aerial feature is tethered to a positioning system. The positioning system generates a motion strategy to direct aerial feature movement over time to induce a surface condition selected by the positioning system. Execution of the motion strategy over time with the positioning system steers the aerial feature to react with naturally occurring weather conditions to provide the selected surface condition.

Abstract: A wall panel structured to form at least a portion of an interior wall of a vehicle is provided. The wall panel includes a body, a storage compartment formed in the body, and at least one door stopper extending from the body. The door stopper(s) may help support the wall panel in an upright orientation when the wall panel is positioned on a resting surface. Also described is a wall panel assembly including the wall panel and a door rotatably coupled to the wall panel for closing the storage compartment. In the wall panel assembly, the door stopper(s) on the wall panel may prevent over-rotation of the door, when the wall panel is not installed in a vehicle.

Abstract: A child soothing device includes a soothing structure includes an outer layer and an inner layer, and one or more artificial muscles disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer of the soothing structure and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each of the one or more artificial muscles includes a housing comprising an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing. Each of the one or more artificial muscles also includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region, thereby applying pressure to the inner layer of the soothing structure.

Abstract: An actuator can include one or more shape memory material members and an electrostatic clutch. When an activation input is provided to the one or more shape memory material members, the one or more shape memory material members contract, which causes the actuator to morph into an activated configuration. A height of the actuator increases in the activated configuration. The electrostatic clutch can be configured to maintain the actuator in the activated configuration when the activation input to the one or more shape memory material members is discontinued. One or more processors can be operatively connected to selectively and independently activate the one or more shape memory material members and the electrostatic clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body comprising a pillar having a pillar channel extending therethrough. A pillar channel seal includes a seal body located in the pillar channel. The seal body has a pass-through opening sized to receive a drain hose. A moveable plug is movably attached to the seal body that is configured to cover the pass-through opening in a closed configuration. An expandable foam is carried by the moveable plug.

Abstract: A method of forming integrated power electronics packages by 3D-printing the PCB on and around power devices includes bonding a power device to a first surface of a cold plate and printing, using a 3D-printer, a circuit board on and around the power devices such that the circuit board includes one or more insulating portions and one or more conductive portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for cooling electronic devices. The system includes a capillary cooler assembly comprising a housing, a plurality of feeding tubes within the housing, a wick within the housing, and one or more vapor outlets, a fluid feed line fluidly coupled to the plurality of feeding tubes, a fluid bypass line fluidly coupled to the fluid feed line, a fluid bypass valve fluidly coupled to the fluid feed line and the fluid bypass line, wherein the fluid bypass valve is selectively operable between at least two positions that control a flow of cooling fluid through the fluid bypass line, a vapor line fluidly coupled to the one or more vapor outlets, a condenser fluidly coupled to the fluid bypass line, the vapor line, and the fluid feed line, and a pump fluidly coupled to the condenser and the fluid feed line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using vehicle door jigs with a door jig press. A vehicle door jig can be inserted into a press, and the press can be activated by simultaneously pressing and holding down two or more actuation mechanisms. The press can tighten one or more hooks of the vehicle door jig by pressing the one or more hooks against a base of the vehicle door jig. Releasing the two or more actuation mechanisms can complete pressing of the vehicle door jig.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods relate to technology to determine a first height of first rails within a first storage compartment of a displacement structure. The technology determines that a first battery in a battery compartment of a vehicle is to be removed, where the battery compartment includes vehicle rails having a vehicle height. The technology adjusts the first height of the first rails to align the first rails with the vehicle rails by adjusting the first height to match the vehicle height so that the first rails and the vehicle rails form a first pathway. The technology guides the first battery into the first storage compartment from the battery compartment along the first pathway when the first rails are aligned with the vehicle rails.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modularizing a system. Parallel power systems having electronically isolated high voltage systems facilitate modulization. A control system is provided that optimizes the distribution of a power demand and/or a torque request so as to keep the efficiency, durability, drivability and/or safety of the system within an optimum range. In some cases, the distribution of power is uneven, so as to extend the battery life, while in other cases, the power draw on battery systems are kept equal and constant so as to properly manage the state of charge of the parallel power systems. In still other cases, the chosen power distribution keeps the power demand and/or torque request between minimum and maximum levels/capacity, and the power distribution avoids on/off of an individual power system.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for use with a randomly dispersed chiral organic solution. The system includes: an infrared laser that outputs a light beam having a wavelength in an IR spectrum; a stage that holds the randomly dispersed chiral organic solution, the stage being arranged to receive the light beam from the infrared laser, the stage including a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) resonating cavity structure configured to generate chiral signals in a linear IR regime, the stage being configured to generate a second harmonic optical signal from the light beam, the second harmonic optical signal being in an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, the stage being configured to output the second harmonic optical signal; a UV detector that can receive the second harmonic optical signal from the stage; and an analyzer being configured to determine a chiroptical signature for the randomly dispersed chiral organic solution based on the received second harmonic optical signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving locating favorable entrances. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data about a parking facility entrance from at least one vehicle sensor, processing the sensor data into characteristics about the parking facility entrance, storing the characteristics about the parking facility entrance in a map that includes a location of the parking facility entrance, and providing a recommendation for a parking facility based, at least in part, on the map.

Abstract: A vehicle including a floor surface and a seat. The floor surface has a floor striker. The seat is movable between a seated state and a stowed state. The seat includes a seat cushion frame, a sear back, and a seat latch. The seat cushion frame has a seat striker. The seat back is rotatably coupled to the seat cushion frame. In the seated positon, the seat latch engaged with the floor striker. In the stowed state, the seat latch engages with the seat striker.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to specialized hardware accelerators for deep learning tasks. In one embodiment, a system includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The first waveguide is spaced from the second waveguide. The system includes a first phase tuning component, a second phase tuning component, and a signal mixing component. The first phase tuning component includes a first ring resonator that is coupled to the first waveguide. The second phase tuning component includes a second ring resonator that is coupled to the second waveguide. The signal mixing component includes at least a third ring resonator and a fourth ring resonator. The third ring resonator is coupled to the first waveguide and the fourth ring resonator is coupled to the second waveguide. Further, the third ring resonator and the fourth ring resonator are coupled to each other.