Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for determining and adjusting a parking position of a vehicle. In particular, the vehicle may determine a first parking space where the vehicle can move to a second parking space and exit the second parking space in a forward direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a vehicle elevation height for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle may include performing a quantitative balancing analysis using baseline factors, establishing optimal values for operational goals of a vehicle based on the quantitative balancing analysis, determining a vehicle elevation height that achieves the established optimal values for the operational goals of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle delivery parameters using normalized values, and initiating on a winch system elevation of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the determined vehicle elevation height for launching.

Abstract: A data map is modeled to generate a modeled data map, the data map including a calibration to control vehicle operation over various weather conditions encountered by a vehicle, the modeled data map characterizing data elements of the data map according to a mathematical model. The modeled data map is sent to the vehicle to expand into at least a portion of the data map to control the vehicle operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multilevel parking structure utilization and reporting are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining a layout that identifies ramps, turns, and level portions of a multilevel parking structure, determining vehicle data gathered as the vehicle operates within the multilevel parking structure, the vehicle data including steering input, compass headings, and distance traveled, and determining a current level of a vehicle within the multilevel parking structure by tracking the vehicle's use of the ramps, the turns, and the level portions in combination with the layout.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an exhaust tuning valve during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled while the position of the exhaust is varied and an intake air flow is estimated at each position of the exhaust tuning valve. The exhaust tuning valve may be diagnosed based on a change in air flow with the variation in the position of the exhaust tuning valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multilevel parking structure utilization and reporting are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining a layout that identifies ramps, turns, and level portions of a multilevel parking structure, determining vehicle data gathered as the vehicle operates within the multilevel parking structure, the vehicle data including steering input, compass headings, and distance traveled, and determining a current level of a vehicle within the multilevel parking structure by tracking the vehicle's use of the ramps, the turns, and the level portions in combination with the layout.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting and responding to a power outage. The methods use sensors of vehicles to detect an indication of a power outage. Once the power outage is validated, the lighting systems of the vehicles are used to illuminate locations so that pedestrians can walk along sidewalks or through parking garages. For example, the vehicles can be arranged to provide lighting at selected locations.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for protecting the health of occupants of a vehicle. In an example method, a health monitoring apparatus in a vehicle evaluates an individual and detects a symptom of a contagious disease. The individual may be already seated in a first seat in the vehicle or intends to enter the vehicle. The health monitoring apparatus identifies a second seat that has a pre-defined spatial separation distance from the first seat. The pre-defined spatial separation distance can exceed a threshold spatial separation distance selected to provide health protection against the contagious disease. The health monitoring apparatus issues an advisory to the individual to occupy the second seat. In another example method, the health monitoring apparatus may adjust an airflow pattern in the vehicle so as to provide directional airflows to protect various occupants of the vehicle against an airborne contagious disease.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting wrong way travel of a vehicle. In one example method, a smart device is provided in a vehicle. The smart device may be, for example, a smartphone of an occupant of the vehicle. A GPS system can be used to identify sequential location coordinates of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on a road, such as for example, a multi-lane road. The sequential location coordinates can be used to determine a direction of travel of the vehicle. The smartphone may access a database in order to obtain road rules pertaining to the multi-lane road. The road rules provide information regarding a legitimate direction of travel for vehicles in each of multiple lanes and can be used by the smartphone to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a wrong direction on the multi-lane road.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing degradation in a variable volume device included within a pressure-less fuel tank. In one example, a method may include, upon conditions being met, operating a pump of an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system leak detection module (ELCM) to evacuate the variable volume device. A degradation of the variable volume device may be indicated based on a change in pressure at the variable volume device.

Abstract: A data map is modeled to generate a modeled data map, the data map including a calibration to control vehicle operation over various weather conditions encountered by a vehicle, the modeled data map characterizing data elements of the data map according to a mathematical model. The modeled data map is sent to the vehicle to expand into at least a portion of the data map to control the vehicle operation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting and responding to a power outage. The methods use sensors of vehicles to detect an indication of a power outage. Once the power outage is validated, the lighting systems of the vehicles are used to illuminate locations so that pedestrians can walk along sidewalks or through parking garages. For example, the vehicles can be arranged to provide lighting at selected locations.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive one or more parameters of a vehicle condition to be monitored, allocate an unreserved parameter identifier to each of the parameters, assign respective memory spaces to each of the allocated unreserved parameter identifiers, and store the parameters in the memory spaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing temperature sensors of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, at a duration after an engine-off event, determining that an intake air temperature measured by an intake air temperature sensor of the vehicle is greater than an ambient air temperature measured by an ambient air temperature sensor of the vehicle. In response to the determining, the method may include flowing ambient air across the intake air temperature sensor, and indicating the ambient air temperature sensor is functional responsive to the intake air temperature converging to the ambient air temperature during the flowing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test on a fuel system and an emissions control system in a vehicle. In one example, in response to an indication that a vehicle parking condition may result in the isolation of the fuel system from the emissions control system via the unintentional closing of fuel tank valves, a vehicle's active suspension system may be employed in order to level the vehicle a determined amount such that the fuel system isolation issues may be mitigated prior to an evaporative emissions test procedure. In this way, the entire fuel system and emissions control system may be diagnosed for potential undesired emissions, and potential violations of regulatory requirements for evaporative emissions testing may be reduced.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein are generally directed to a navigation system that generates a pedestrian travel path based on various types of data stored in a database, such as, for example, a map, a blueprint, a historical record, a public record, and/or a personal record. In an example embodiment, the data may be obtained by executing a crowdsourcing procedure, where multiple individuals provide various types of information such as, information about an underground walkway, an elevated walkway, an unpaved pedestrian path, weather conditions, handicap-friendly pathways, and handicap-friendly structures. In an example application, a navigation device receives a navigation request that includes a start spot and an end spot for a pedestrian trip. The navigation device evaluates data stored in a database and uses the data to generate a pedestrian travel path that may include an underground walkway, an elevated walkway, an unpaved pedestrian path, and/or an enclosed pedestrian path.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting wrong way travel of a vehicle. In one example method, a smart device is provided in a vehicle. The smart device may be, for example, a smartphone of an occupant of the vehicle. A GPS system can be used to identify sequential location coordinates of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on a road, such as for example, a multi-lane road. The sequential location coordinates can be used to determine a direction of travel of the vehicle. The smartphone may access a database in order to obtain road rules pertaining to the multi-lane road. The road rules provide information regarding a legitimate direction of travel for vehicles in each of multiple lanes and can be used by the smartphone to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a wrong direction on the multi-lane road.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a cylinder valve actuation mechanism in a variable displacement engine (VDE). In one example, during an engine-off condition, the engine may be rotated unfueled, via a starter motor, and a reference exhaust air flow may be estimated. One or more deactivatable engine cylinders may then be deactivated and degradation of the cylinder valve actuation mechanism may be indicated based on a difference between the exhaust air flow following the cylinder deactivation and the reference exhaust air flow.

Abstract: A system includes an aerial drone. The aerial drone includes first and second electrically conductive end effectors. The first and second electrically conductive end effectors are electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving regeneration of a particulate filter located in an exhaust system of a vehicle are presented. In one example, the particulate filter is regenerated when the vehicle is expected to operate in a stationary electric power generating mode where the vehicle supplies electric power to off-board electric power consumers.