Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reserving a reservable asset using a mobile device. A mobile device communicates directly with a vehicle-associated control module or through a reservation server using either a TCP/IP communications channel or near-field communications. A member enters a request using the user interface provided by the mobile-device application. The identity of the member is validated the vehicle-associated control module executes the request by sending a signal to a computer or sensor in the vehicle through the vehicle wiring or the vehicle CANbus. The request can be a function, such as unlocking the vehicle doors, illuminating the interior or exterior lights, honking the horn, or activating a panic alarm.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus includes a first setting unit and a correcting unit. The control target point setting unit sets a set position of a preceding vehicle ahead of an own vehicle in a vehicle width direction as a control target point of follow-up traveling for traveling while following the preceding vehicle. The steering control amount correcting unit corrects, on a basis of deviation between a target steering angle that brings the own vehicle to the control target point and an actual steering angle, an amount of a steering control that controls the own vehicle to the target steering angle which is a steering angle that brings the own vehicle to the control target point.

Abstract: A method includes approaching, with a vehicle, first stretch of road having a reference target. Next, data is obtained regarding the first stretch of road from both an onboard vehicle sensor and an infrastructure signal provided about the reference target. The information from the vehicle sensor is compared to the information from the infrastructure signal. Finally, the vehicle sensor is calibrated based on the infrastructure signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic seat switch for a power seat of an autonomous vehicle and a method of operating the power seat by using the electronic seat switch, wherein the power seat is configured to be operated by using the electronic seat switch that is compact and slim.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying an attitude of a vehicle are disclosed. A user selects a trailer mode for a vehicle body. The selected trailer mode has a corresponding configuration. The vehicle determines one or more features about a trailer based on the selected trailer mode. The vehicle determines a location of a trailer hitch needed to achieve the configuration corresponding to the selected trailer mode. The location is based on the one or more features about the trailer. The vehicle actuates at least one active component in the vehicle's active suspension system to change the attitude of the vehicle body so as to cause the trailer hitch to be located in the determined location thereby causing the vehicle body to be in the selected trailer mode.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for providing turn-by-turn directions to mobility impaired individuals. Movement of users associated with certain mobility classes are tracked to determine when the users deviate from certain geographical features, such as sections of sidewalk. In the event of a deviation, a reliability score for that geographical feature is decreased. When another user of the same mobility class requests directions and a candidate path uses the same geographical feature, the decreased reliability score is applied to that candidate path to provide the other user with an indication that the path may be difficult to traverse. The user may select a different candidate path with a higher reliability score.

Abstract: Where a mobile computer device having a position sensor, such as a GPS sensor, and an accelerometer is configured to estimate a geographic position of the mobile computer device using the position sensor, the accuracy of such positions may be enhanced by correlating accelerations of the mobile computer device, as determined by the accelerometer, against the positions of known surface features within a vicinity of the estimated positions. If the observed accelerations are consistent with one of the known surface features, the location of the mobile computer device may be correlated with the location of the one of the known surface features.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.

Abstract: A method of controlling an active aerodynamic element for a vehicle includes determining a target position for the active aerodynamic element from a target aerodynamic force, which may be a given value that is provided based on dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The method actuates the active aerodynamic element to the target position and senses an aerodynamic response characteristic of the active aerodynamic element while actuated to the target position. An estimated applied aerodynamic force is determined from the aerodynamic response characteristic, and is compared to the target aerodynamic force. A force error is determined from the comparison of the estimated applied aerodynamic force and the target aerodynamic force, and a modified position for the active aerodynamic element is determined from the force error and the target aerodynamic force. The active aerodynamic element is actuated to the modified position.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for controlling waste heat generated by a motor vehicle having an electric drive including a rechargeable battery and an electric machine for driving the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the thermal load on at least two components of the electric drive; if a first electric component of the electric drive has a lower thermal load than a second electric component, actuating the electric drive such that the generation of waste heat in the first electric component increases and the generation of waste heat in the second electric component does not increase; and if the second electric component has a lower thermal load than the first electric component, actuating the electric drive such that the generation of waste heat in the second electric component increases and the generation of waste heat in the first electric component does not increase.

Abstract: An aerial drone is coupled to a warning sign for warning other vehicles of a presence of a faulty vehicle. The aerial drone is positioned at a location of the faulty vehicle, in response to detecting the faulty vehicle. The aerial drone assesses environmental conditions at the location of the faulty vehicle. An optimal position for positioning the warning sign is determined, based on the environmental conditions at the location of the faulty vehicle, and the aerial drone is positioned at the optimal position.

Abstract: A remote vehicle disabling system and method. The remote vehicle disabling system includes a master unit in communication with a slave unit. The slave unit is operably connected to a vehicle and one or more operational components of the vehicle. The slave unit can activate or deactivate the operational component and immobilize the vehicle. If the slave unit needs to be overridden, an override switch may be actuated to provide electrical power to the operational components, which form an operational group. The slave unit and master unit are in periodic communication with each other. If the time between communication between the units exceeds a certain amount of time, then the operational component disables the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for estimating the impact of new operational conditions in a baseline air traffic scenario. The system comprises: an intent inference module for retrieving flight track data and associated aircraft type information of a flight in a baseline air traffic scenario, and inferring an aircraft intent that fits the flight track data; an intent generation module for, using an alternative air traffic scenario based on the baseline air traffic scenario with new operational conditions, generating an aircraft intent for each flight in the alternative air traffic scenario that fits the new operational conditions; a trajectory computation module for computing the trajectory of each flight in the baseline and alternative air traffic scenario using their aircraft intent; an evaluation module for computing a trajectory-based analytics on each computed trajectory of the baseline and alternative air traffic scenario using a set of metrics.

Abstract: A wind sensor, such as a sonic anemometer, may be utilized to cause a trolling motor to activate to propel a watercraft toward a virtual anchor location, route, or destination, in response to detection of an occurrence or wind. In some instances, the trolling motor may be steered to a direction opposite a wind direction when activated. The trolling motor may also be oriented to a corrective direction based on a comparison of a current location to the virtual anchor location, route, or destination. Propelling the watercraft may also include determining a propulsion correction based on wind speed, wind direction, and/or watercraft characteristics. Depending on the configuration, the wind sensor may be integrated into the housing of the trolling motor.

Abstract: A device for a vehicle, in particular a tractor, with a hydraulic actuating unit for regulating the operation of a towing unit on the vehicle comprises at least one speed detecting unit with two distance determining sensors positioned one after the other in the direction of travel of the vehicle and directed toward the ground and an analysis unit as well as data communications connections to a vehicle operating system and a hydraulic operating system associated with the hydraulic actuating unit.

Abstract: A method and device for effecting vehicle control is presented. The method includes receiving driving map data, which includes vehicle target data relative to a vehicle location data. The driving map data is processed to produce desired vehicle operational data, the desired vehicle operational data facilitates a vehicle to traverse a travel route. From the desired vehicle operational data vehicle, corresponding actuator control data is produced, and transmitted to effect vehicle control in either of the autonomous or driver-assisted modes.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and apparatus for joint optimization of multi-UAV task assignment and path planning.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for least one leading drone configured to move to a leading drone future location based on a future location of a base station. A set of base station future locations may form a base station path for the base station to traverse. Also, a set of leading drone future locations may form a leading drone path for the leading drone to traverse. The base station's future location may be anticipated from a prediction or a predetermination. The leading drone, navigating along the leading drone path, may collect sensor data and/or perform tasks. Accordingly, the leading drone may move ahead of the base station in motion, as opposed to following or remaining with the base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing aircraft flight information and flight plan information are described. Specific techniques are described for managing flight data in real time, sharing flight data between a plurality of systems, dynamically managing flight information, generating flight plan information, providing flight plan information to a user, and closing flight plan discontinuities.