Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive first environmental data recorded by an environmental sensor on board a vehicle, receive nonenvironmental data recorded on board the vehicle independently of the first environmental data, add a plurality of annotations derived from the nonenvironmental data to the environmental data, and train a machine-learning program to process second environmental data by using the first environmental data as training data and the annotations as ground truth for the first environmental data.

Abstract: A system receives vehicle sensor data indicating upcoming route characteristics as a vehicle travels a route. The system identifies one or more passibility-limiting features from the vehicle sensor data and, based on the sensor data, interpolates at least one characteristics of at least one feature that would affect vehicle travel. The system determines if the feature has been previously identified by comparison to previously identified features associated with locations within a proximity of a present location of the vehicle. Further, the system determines if the at least one characteristic has more than a predefined deviance from one or more previously interpolated characteristics associated with the feature and alert the user via the vehicle if at least one of the previously interpolated characteristics or the at least one characteristic indicates that the vehicle may have difficulty passing the feature based on predefined parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and system for providing a mobility service is described. The mobility service can include delivering goods in rough terrain, rural areas, and other similar environments, by selecting and configuring vehicles for terrain considerations based on known and dynamically changing information. The disclosed system can include a vehicle configured with a deployable autonomous drone, and can determine optimized vehicle routes to remote locations using the deployable drone and vehicle navigation sensors, for real time mapping that can be combined with existing map/terrain data. The terrain data may also be sent to a vehicle in a vehicle fleet, and/or to a cloud-based server, and be used to compute the best available vehicles designed for the mobility service. The system may deploy one or more mobility solutions, collect telematics, road information, navigational data, and other information during the delivery. This feedback may then be used for future mobility services.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for interface verification for vehicle remote park-assist. An example vehicle system includes a mobile device and a vehicle autonomy unit. The mobile device includes a touchscreen and a controller. The controller is to present, via the touchscreen, an interface of a remote parking app and receive, via the touchscreen, an input responsive to the presentation of the interface. The vehicle autonomy unit receives an input signal from the mobile device and an input classifier coupled to the vehicle autonomy unit verifies the received input signal complies with an input classification.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an image from one or more imaging devices disposed in the interior of the vehicle, modifying the image based on a color conversion routine to generate a source image, generating a conformity value based on a comparison between the source image and a template image corresponding to the interior of the vehicle, where the conformity value is a cross-correlation value, a normalized cross-correlation value, a sum-of-squared difference value, or a combination thereof, and determining a presence of a defect based on the conformity value.

Abstract: A help system is provided for a vehicle occupant who carries a mobile communication device. The vehicle has a transceiver providing two-way wireless telecommunication and which detects a loss-of-signal condition. A powertrain system provides vehicle movement and is configured for reckoning a path traversed by the vehicle. The help system includes a guidance controller and an interface adapted to connect to the mobile communication device. The guidance controller is configured to A) identify a crossing point when the transceiver detects an initiation of the loss-of-signal condition, B) store a breadcrumb route for returning to the crossing point based on the reckoned path, C) detect a stranded condition of the vehicle during the loss-of-signal condition, D) generate guidance instructions including the breadcrumb route from the vehicle back to the crossing point when the stranded condition is detected, and E) transfer the guidance instructions to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for detecting alertness of a driver of a vehicle. In one exemplary method, a driver alertness detection system determines whether a driver of a vehicle is susceptible to lagophthalmos. If the driver is susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by disregarding an eyelid status of the driver and monitoring biometrics of the driver such as, a heart rate and/or a breathing pattern. Alternatively, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by placing a higher priority on the biometrics of the driver than on the eyelid status. However, if the driver is not susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system evaluates the alertness state by placing a higher priority on the eyelid status than on the biometrics of the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a vehicle charge port having a first connector with one or more first magnets and a plurality of first terminals arranged in a first array. A charge station for the vehicle includes a support and a second connector attached to the support by an articulating mechanism that permits movement of the second connector relative to the support. The second connector has one or more second magnets and a plurality of second terminals arranged in a second array that matches the first array so that the first terminals are connectable to the second terminals when the first and second connectors aligned. The first and second magnets are arranged to move the second terminals, via the articulating mechanism, into alignment with first terminals when the first and second connectors are within a magnetic-coupling range.

Abstract: On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first request to obtain an image or video of a target location from a requesting party, determining a vehicle located within a specified distance from the target location, transmitting a second request to the vehicle to obtain the image or video of the target location using a camera of the vehicle, the second request including an identification of the target location, performing at least one aspect of image processing to blur, block, or obscure at least a portion of the image, and transmitting the obtained image or video of the target location to the requesting party.

Abstract: Method and system for providing a mobility service is described. The mobility service can include delivering goods in rough terrain, rural areas, and other similar environments, by selecting and configuring vehicles for terrain considerations based on known and dynamically changing information. The disclosed system can include a vehicle configured with a deployable autonomous drone, and can determine optimized vehicle routes to remote locations using the deployable drone and vehicle navigation sensors, for real time mapping that can be combined with existing map/terrain data. The terrain data may also be sent to a vehicle in a vehicle fleet, and/or to a cloud-based server, and be used to compute the best available vehicles designed for the mobility service. The system may deploy one or more mobility solutions, collect telematics, road information, navigational data, and other information during the delivery. This feedback may then be used for future mobility services.

Abstract: A controller receives outputs from a plurality of sensors such as a camera, LIDAR sensor, RADAR sensor, and ultrasound sensor, which may be rearward facing. A probability is updated each time a feature in a sensor output indicates presence of an object. The probability may be updated as a function of a variance of the sensor providing the output and a distance to the feature. Where the variance of a sensor is directional, directional probabilities may be updated according to these variances and the distance to the feature. If the probability meets a threshold condition, actions may be taken such as a perceptible alert or automatic braking. The probability may be decayed in the absence of detection of objects. Increasing or decreasing trends in the probability may be amplified by further increasing or decreasing the probability.

Abstract: On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first request to obtain an image or video of a target location from a requesting party, determining a vehicle located within a specified distance from the target location, transmitting a second request to the vehicle to obtain the image or video of the target location using a camera of the vehicle, the second request including an identification of the target location, performing at least one aspect of image processing to blur, block, or obscure at least a portion of the image, and transmitting the obtained image or video of the target location to the requesting party.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for communication of infrastructure information to a vehicle via ground penetrating radar. A vehicle comprising an antenna positioned to broadcast radio waves below the vehicle, a ground penetrating radar system, and an active safety module. The ground penetrating radar system determines types of reflectors and a spatial relationship between the reflectors based on radar cross-sections detected by the antenna, and generates a signature based on the shapes and the spatial relationship. The active safety module determines environmental data based on the signature, and autonomously control the vehicle based on the environmental data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for communication of infrastructure information to a vehicle via ground penetrating radar. A vehicle comprising an antenna positioned to broadcast radio waves below the vehicle, a ground penetrating radar system, and an active safety module. The ground penetrating radar system determines types of reflectors and a spatial relationship between the reflectors based on radar cross-sections detected by the antenna, and generates a signature based on the shapes and the spatial relationship. The active safety module determines environmental data based on the signature, and autonomously control the vehicle based on the environmental data.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for detecting alertness of a driver of a vehicle. In one exemplary method, a driver alertness detection system determines whether a driver of a vehicle is susceptible to lagophthalmos. If the driver is susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by disregarding an eyelid status of the driver and monitoring biometrics of the driver such as, a heart rate and/or a breathing pattern. Alternatively, the driver alertness detection system may evaluate an alertness state of the driver by placing a higher priority on the biometrics of the driver than on the eyelid status. However, if the driver is not susceptible to lagophthalmos, the driver alertness detection system evaluates the alertness state by placing a higher priority on the eyelid status than on the biometrics of the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a vehicle charge port having a first connector with one or more first magnets and a plurality of first terminals arranged in a first array. A charge station for the vehicle includes a support and a second connector attached to the support by an articulating mechanism that permits movement of the second connector relative to the support. The second connector has one or more second magnets and a plurality of second terminals arranged in a second array that matches the first array so that the first terminals are connectable to the second terminals when the first and second connectors aligned. The first and second magnets are arranged to move the second terminals, via the articulating mechanism, into alignment with first terminals when the first and second connectors are within a magnetic-coupling range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for adjustment of vehicle rearview mirror displays. An example vehicle includes a rearview camera for capturing an image, a rearview mirror display positioned at a fixed orientation that is to present a portion of the image, a housing to rotate behind the rearview mirror display, and a sensor to detect a orientation of the housing. The example vehicle also includes a controller to adjust, based upon the orientation of the housing, the portion of the image presented via the rearview mirror display.

Abstract: A location of a first wearable device is determined based on a first biometric signature. Operation of a touchscreen display is restricted if the location of the first wearable device is in an operator's side of a vehicle cabin and the first wearable device is within a first distance from the display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate environmental visibility determination. An example vehicle comprises a sensor and a processor and memory. The sensor is to generate road image information. The processor and memory are in communication with the sensor and are configured to: detect vanishing points of lane markings in the road image information, convert an average pixel row value of the vanishing points to a distance value, and if the distance value is below a threshold, stop execution of at least one road condition monitoring feature.

Abstract: A plurality of transducers positioned at respective specified locations in a vehicle are actuated to generate a plurality of respective tones. A plurality of respective time differences are determined between times that each respective tone is generated by the respective transducer and the tone is detected by a portable device. A location of the portable device is determined based at least in part on the time differences.