Abstract: Modular cooling assemblies are provided for simultaneously cooling both a power module and a vehicle motor. Each cooling assembly may include a first cooling structure defining at least one major surface in thermal communication with the vehicle motor. A second cooling structure may be provided, defining at least one major surface in thermal communication with a power module. An interlayer structure may be provided, configured to couple the first cooling structure to the second cooling structure. The first cooling structure, the second cooling structure, and the interlayer structure are positioned in a stacked arrangement and configured to provide a flow of coolant fluid from a fluid inlet defined in first cooling structure, through the interlayer structure, and to at least one heat sink feature of the second cooling structure. The coolant fluid is then directed through a fluid outlet defined in the second cooling structure.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a vectorized representation of positions of road agents and road geometry based on sensor data from a vehicle, inputting the vectorized representation of the positions of the road agents and the road geometry into a trained transformer network, predicting one or more road agent trajectories at one or more future time steps based on an output of the transformer network, predicting an acceleration of the vehicle at the one or more future time steps based on the predicted one or more road agent trajectories at the one or more future time steps, and causing the vehicle to perform the predicted acceleration at the one or more future time steps.

Abstract: A table structure includes a table top structured to be configurable to a retracted configuration and to a fully deployed configuration for use. At least one shape memory material (SMM) member is operably connected to the table top such that energization of the SMM member configures the table top to the fully deployed configuration and de-energization of the at least one SMM member enables configuration of the table top the retracted configuration. The table structure may be incorporated into a wall of a vehicle as an optional, retractable accessory.

Abstract: One or more vehicles, vehicle systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products to enhance the situational competency and/or the safe operation of a vehicle by automatically causing a cleaning sequence of one or more movable vehicle window glass based on window glass cleanliness analysis and a determination that the vehicle window glass is unclean.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning a vehicle and a trailer. The system includes a guide coupled to a tow hitch of the vehicle, a plurality of sensors disposed along the guide, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The guide includes a first arm extending from a hinge and a second arm extending from the hinge. The first arm and the second arm are configured to provide a space therebetween to receive a tongue of the trailer. The plurality of sensors are configured to detect sensor data indicative of an alignment between the vehicle and the trailer. The ECU is configured to receive the sensor data, determine a position of the tongue relative to the first arm and the second arm, and transmit the determination to the vehicle.

Abstract: An artificial muscle including a housing, an electrode pair positioned in an electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode each including a pair of tapered tab portions and a bridge portion, the tapered tab portions each having a first end proximate to the expandable fluid region and an opposite second end proximate the electrode region, each of the second ends tapering in a direction opposite the expandable fluid region, the pair of tapered tab portions extending parallel to one another to define a gap portion between the pair of tapered tab portions, the bridge portion interconnecting the pair of tapered tab portions, and a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, wherein 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 an expandable fluid region of the housing.

Abstract: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems for energy harvesting with thermal management are provided. The systems include a three-dimensional architected wick having a porous structure for delivering a two-phase working fluid via capillary action to maintain efficient cooling of a TPV cell array. The wick is configured to uniformly deliver working fluid for evaporative cooling of the TPV cells. The wick may be in direct thermal communication with the TPV cell or employed to locally deliver working fluid to an evaporator that is in direct thermal communication with the TPV cell. The increased surface area of porous structure of the wick and the evaporator increases heat dissipation and evaporative cooling providing an improvement in temperature distribution and heat transfer critical to maintaining the TPV cell at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A system for providing an e-drive kit for a trailer connected to a towing vehicle. The system includes a motorized axle, a plurality of energy storage devices, and a controller coupled to the motorized axle and the plurality of energy storage devices. The motorized axle may be configured to control one or more wheels connected to the motorized axle. The controller may be configured to control the motorized axle to transfer energy generated by the one or more wheels to the plurality of energy storage devices for storage of the transferred energy. The controller may further be configured to receive data indicative of a driving maneuver of the towing vehicle. The controller may further be configured to control the motorized axle to actuate the one or more wheels based on the driving maneuver of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to driver interaction with a user interface of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for performing an action associated with a driver input indicated via an input modality of an HMI of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to receive initial data corresponding to an initial driver input via a first input modality of the HMI of the vehicle, compare a confidence level of the initial data to a confidence level threshold associated with the first input modality of the HMI of the vehicle, request, based on the comparison, a subsequent driver input via a second input modality of the HMI of the vehicle, determine a presence of an adverse condition within a vehicle environment, and perform an action associated with the subsequent driver input based on the presence of the adverse condition within the vehicle environment.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving a request for an application from a vehicle; responsive to the request, pushing a version of the application to the vehicle; installing the application when a mode of the vehicle is set to at least one of a testing mode, a development mode, and a service mode; and performing at least one of testing a functionality of the vehicle by the application, validating the application, and modifying the application.

Abstract: An electrode for a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The electrode has a current collector and an electrode active layer of lithium metal or lithium metal alloy on the current collector. A surface layer of a homogeneous nano-alloy particle composition containing nanoparticles of an element M or nanoparticles of a lithium alloy of an element M, wherein M is at least one element selected from elements of Groups 2 and 8-16 is present on the active layer. Solid-state batteries containing the electrode are provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a cooperative maneuver for an ego vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a maneuver of the ego vehicle based on traffic information in a target lane, selecting one or more cooperative vehicles to be involved in the maneuver, determining whether the maneuver of the ego vehicle and actions of the one or more cooperative vehicles trigger congestion in the target lane based on simulation of the maneuver and the actions, instructing the ego vehicle to perform the maneuver in response to determining that the maneuver of the ego vehicle and actions of the one or more cooperative vehicles do not trigger congestion, and adjusting a number of cooperative vehicles to be involved in the maneuver in response to determining that the maneuver of the ego vehicle and actions of the one or more cooperative vehicles trigger congestion.

Abstract: A flexural wave absorption system may include a pair of resonators disposed on the structure and separated from each other by a separation distance. The pair of resonators are arranged on the structure in a direction substantially similar to the direction of the flexural wave acting on the structure. As to the separation distance, this distance may be approximately one-quarter of the wavelength of the flexural wave acting on the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for a host vehicle to assess risk for road users is disclosed. The host vehicle monitors its surrounding driving environment and sends alerts to road users if a threat is detected. The host vehicle can determine the best course of action to mitigate a threat, and coordinate such action. The host vehicle comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the foregoing tasks. Further, the host vehicle may use a machine learning-based system comprising a trained neural network.

Abstract: Compensation can be made for mismatch in abnormal driving behavior detection between an ego vehicle and its human driver. Sensor data of a surrounding driving environment can be acquired. The acquired sensor data can be analyzed to detect abnormal driving behavior by a vehicle in the surrounding driving environment. Responsive to detecting abnormal driving behavior by the vehicle in the surrounding driving environment, the abnormal driving behavior can be classified as to whether it is severe. If the abnormal driving behavior is classified as not being severe, an amplified version of the abnormal driving behavior can be caused to be presented to the human driver of the ego vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products that are configured to identify or otherwise detect the presence of bacteria, classify the identified or detected bacteria, and also predict the growth of the classified bacteria on various touchable surfaces within a vehicle passenger cabin or compartment. Such systems, methods, and computer program products are configured to identify/detect, classify, and predict the presence and/or growth of bacteria, and transmit one or more alerts, warnings, and/or reports to vehicle owners, service providers, and/or occupants based on the identification/detection, classification, and prediction.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle is provided. The storage system includes a cover including a section operable to move between a folded position and an unfolded position, a crossmember disposed on an underside of the section, and a rail system disposed on the underside of the cover and configured to slidably support a bin. The crossmember obstructs sliding movement of the bin when the section is in the unfolded position, and the crossmember allows sliding movement of the bin when the section is in the folded position.

Abstract: A removal tool is provided. The removal tool includes a tool body extending in a longitudinal direction having an engagement portion at one end and defining an opening at the other end. The engagement portion includes two prongs and defines a notch portion formed between the prongs at a distal end portion. The notch portion extends in the longitudinal direction and rounded at a proximal end portion, each prong has a cut out portion at the distal end portion horizontally tapered toward the notch portion. The distal end portion has a tapered portion vertically tapered away from the distal end portion.

Abstract: A duct includes a duct body. The duct body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a channel connecting the inlet and the outlet. The duct body is configured to direct gas flowing within the channel from the inlet to the outlet. The duct body further defines an opening located between the inlet and the outlet. The duct also includes a noise attenuator. The noise attenuator includes sound-absorbing material covering the opening. The sound-absorbing material has an outer face in direct contact with an external environment of the duct body. The sound-absorbing material is configured to dissipate acoustic energy within the channel.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing device includes a resonator. The resonator includes a flexible, tube-shaped resonator body having a first end, a second end, and a channel fluidically connecting the first end and the second end. The resonator body is wrapped completely around a hub of a vehicle wheel at least one time and is configured to absorb sound produced within a cavity of a tire of the vehicle wheel.