Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to implementing predictive, risk-aware control barrier functions, the effects of which certify using predicted future trajectories the probability of vehicles (such as tractor-trailers) becoming unsafe over a time interval remains bounded by a user-specified value.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes a frame. The frame includes a headrest portion. The seat for a vehicle also includes an energy absorption spacer coupled to the frame; a seat garnish positioned over the energy absorption spacer and the frame; and a seat trim cover. The seat trim cover has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the seat trim cover is coupled to the headrest portion, and the second portion of the seat trim cover extends between the energy absorption spacer and the seat garnish.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe lifting apparatus includes a support frame and a lift table assembly including a lift frame configured to move vertically relative to the support frame. The support frame including a roller rotatably connected thereto that rolls against the lift frame as the lift frame moves between raised and lowered positions and interlocks with a locking feature on the lift frame in the raised position.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a vehicle, a type of sign that is proximate a road, based on received data from at least one sensor on the vehicle; and directing, by the vehicle, at least one portion of at least one headlight of the vehicle to illuminate the sign, wherein at least one of an intensity or a color of the illuminating is based on the type of sign.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to altering a robot command instruction set to address operating inefficiencies of the robot. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a memory storing machine-readable instructions. The machine-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to 1) continuously monitor an electrical current used by a motor of a robot and 2) compare the electrical current to a secondary electrical current used by the robot. The machine-readable instructions also, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to 1) identify, from the electrical current and the secondary electrical current, an operating inefficiency of the robot command instruction set and 2) generate an alteration to the robot command instruction set, the alteration addresses the operating inefficiency.

Abstract: A system for controlling an adaptive cruise control system can include a processor and a memory. The memory can store an override ascertainment module, an intent ascertainment module, and an intent utilization module. The override ascertainment module can include instructions that cause the processor to determine, during an operation of the adaptive cruise control system, that an action, performed by an operator of an ego vehicle, is an override of the adaptive cruise control system. The intent ascertainment module can include instructions that cause the processor to determine, during the override, an intent of the operator to change a setting of a mechanism, of the adaptive cruise control system, to control a motion-related aspect of the ego vehicle, from a current setting to a preferred setting. The intent utilization module can include instructions that cause the processor to cause the adaptive cruise control system to utilize information about the intent.

Abstract: A computing system may include a processor. The computing system may include a memory having a set of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the computing system to determine paths in an abstract state for a first robot to progress from an origin to a destination, determine a cost for each respective path of the paths based on a congestion measurement of the respective path and a measurement of the abstract state, select a selected path from the paths that is associated with a lowest cost from the costs, and compute a motion plan for the first robot to traverse the selected path.

Abstract: A method for joining unidirectional tapes is provided. The method includes placing a plurality of unidirectional tapes by abutting without overlapping an end of one of the unidirectional tapes with an end of other one of the unidirectional tapes at a butt joint. The unidirectional tapes includes a resin material and a plurality of fibers running in a running direction. The method further includes placing a prepreg including a resin material and a plurality of short fibers over the butt joint to cover an area surrounding the butt joint such that the short fibers run in the running direction. The method further includes fusing the prepreg by applying heat such that the short fibers are fused into a matrix of the unidirectional tapes at the butt joint.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, a fuel cell, and a method of designing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a hybrid flow field structure that includes a plurality of parallel feed flow channels fluidically connected to an inlet bipolar plate region, a plurality of parallel exit flow channels fluidically connected to an outlet bipolar plate region, and an interwoven pattern formed by a plurality of simplified periodic array flow field structure generated based on flow patterns generated by homogenized anisotropic porous media optimization. The flow field structure enhances fuel cell performance by facilitating lower pressure drop via minimized fluid flow resistance, and removal of accumulated water in the oxygen channel and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) under the ribs of the bipolar plate.

Abstract: Vehicle communication systems and methods for identifying and classifying objects as relevant to an occupant of a vehicle. A method includes capturing first object data at a first vehicle, classifying the first object data as relevant or non-relevant based on a first user profile associated with the first vehicle, and transmitting a transmission package including the first object data to a server in response to classifying the first object data as relevant.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal nitride based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal nitride based composites are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle door lubricant application system includes a pump connected to a fluid line that is connected to a fluid reservoir. The pump is configured to provide a preselected amount of a lubricant to a spray nozzle assembly. The spray nozzle assembly is configured to dispense the lubricant. A sensing device is configured to detect presence of a vehicle door. The sensing device is configured to provide a signal in response to the presence of the vehicle door that is used to activate the pump.

Abstract: A regenerative braking control system for a vehicle can include one or more user interface elements located in a cabin of the vehicle. The one or more user interface elements can correspond to a plurality of regenerative braking settings. Each of the plurality of regenerative braking settings can correspond to a different amount of regenerative braking torque to apply to one or more wheels of the vehicle. The regenerative braking control system can include a processor operatively connected to the user interface elements. The processor can be configured to detect a condition, the condition can be the usage of the plurality of regenerative braking settings by an operator of the vehicle. Responsive to detecting the condition, the processor can be configured to cause the amount of regenerative braking torque for one or more of the plurality of regenerative braking settings to be adjusted based on the condition.

Abstract: An electrostatic clutch includes a pair of electrodes configured to be attached to a base material of the electrostatic clutch. The pair of electrodes individually comprise a high strength substrate fabric configured to be attached to the base material and a dielectric layer coupled to the high strength substrate fabric.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the protection of a first vehicle using a second vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes processing sensor data about surroundings of a first vehicle to identify suspicious activity in the surroundings of the first vehicle. The method further includes, in response to identifying the suspicious activity, controlling a second vehicle to perform a reactive maneuver.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to intoxication detection of one or more vehicle occupants are provided. A system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed at different locations within a vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to determine which occupant among a plurality of occupants in the vehicle is intoxicated based on an analysis of sensor signals received from the plurality of sensor assemblies. The controller is further configured to output an alert based on determining that a driver of the vehicle is intoxicated. Associated vehicles, controllers, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a method for providing a smart multi-tier power running board (PRB) with ground sensing technologies. The apparatus includes one or more support bars, one or more steps, an actuator connected to one end of each support bar of the one or more support bars, one or more sensors, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the one or more sensors. The controller is configured to: obtain data indicative of a request to move the one or more support bars from a stowed position to a deployed position; determine, based on sensor data detected by the one or more sensors, the deployed position for moving the one or more support bars; and control, based on the determined deployed position, the actuator to move the one or more support bars from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A platinum-palladium alloy catalyst, and a phosphoric acid or a phosphonated ionomer contacting the platinum-palladium alloy catalyst in a fuel cell. Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs, with phosphoric-acid-saturated silicon carbide matrix) employing the platinum-palladium alloy catalyst, and, a phosphoric acid or a phosphonated ionomer contacting the platinum-palladium alloy catalyst are disclosed. High-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs, with phosphoric-acid-contained polymer matrix) employing the platinum-palladium alloy catalyst, and a phosphoric acid or a phosphonated ionomer contacting the platinum-palladium alloy catalyst are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus for a cooler device includes a manifold constructed at least partially of silicon oxide. The manifold includes an array of inlet channels and an array of outlet channels. Each inlet channel has a first depth. The array of outlet channels are interlaced with the array of inlet channels, Each outlet channel has a second depth that is larger than the first depth. Each of the array of outlet channels has a pair of sidewalls separating each outlet channel from adjacent inlet channels of the array of inlet channels.