Abstract: A multi-axis hinge mechanism for a vehicle door. The multi-axis hinge mechanism moves the vehicle door laterally and vertically by means of multiple axial rotations. An actuator pivots the door hinges attaching the door to the vehicle to move the door away from the vehicle while a set of gears translates the motion of the actuator into a vertical rotation of the door.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component including a patterned padding surface positioned proximate to an occupant of the vehicle. The component includes a substrate layer with a plurality of padding projections and an exterior layer connected to the substrate layer and including a plurality of gaps matching the location of the substrate layer's plurality of padding projections. Each of the plurality of padding projections aligns with one of the plurality of gaps and is exposed above the exterior layer to thereby form a pattern of padding on the surface of the vehicle interior component.

Abstract: A multi-axis hinge mechanism for a vehicle door. The multi-axis hinge mechanism moves the vehicle door laterally and vertically by means of multiple axial rotations. An actuator pivots the door hinges attaching the door to the vehicle to move the door away from the vehicle while a set of gears translates the motion of the actuator into a vertical rotation of the door.

Abstract: A multi-axis hinge mechanism for a vehicle door. The multi-axis hinge mechanism moves the vehicle door laterally and vertically by means of multiple axial rotations. An actuator pivots the door hinges attaching the door to the vehicle to move the door away from the vehicle while a set of gears translates the motion of the actuator into a vertical rotation of the door.

Abstract: A conditionally transparent touch control surface including a base layer, a display layer, and a surface layer. The display layer includes a plurality of display areas each with an OFF state and an ON state. The surface layer covers the plurality of display areas and each display area is visible through the surface layer only while that display area is in the ON state. The control surface is flexible and contours to a shape such as the shape of an interior surface of a vehicle. The display areas can be reconfigured to match with a specific function and to display a specific icon, and the display areas can be hidden from view when not in use.

Abstract: A vehicle roof lighting unit for illuminating an interior compartment of the vehicle. The unit includes one or more direct light emitting elements, wherein each of the direct light emitting elements are configured to illuminate a portion of the interior compartment, and wherein the one or more direct light emitting elements are located on the exterior of the vehicle roof lighting unit. The unit also includes one or more indirect light emitting elements for providing general lighting for the entire interior compartment, wherein the one or more indirect light emitting elements are concealed from view and the light from the one or more indirect light emitting elements reflects off a curved reflective structure. The unit further includes a control panel, wherein the control panel is located on the exterior of the vehicle roof lighting unit.

Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising a charging station, a charging station stand, a charging cable held by the charging station stand, a charging plug, and a charging port of the electric vehicle. The charging cable is attached to a power source at its first end and to the charging plug at its second end. The charging cable is also retractable. The charging port is mounted on the topside of the electric vehicle and is designed to connect with the charging plug in a manner that keeps the charging cable clear of the floor and the surface of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle including a plurality of personal sound zones, each personal sound zone comprising a plurality of microphones, an audio controller, and a plurality of speakers. The system is configured to allow the occupants of a vehicle to experience their own dedicated sound environment without the sound from one dedicated sound environment interfering with the sound from another dedicated sound environment. The system includes features for controlling the audio of each dedicated sound environment, including passing audio from one dedicated sound environment to another dedicated sound environment.

Abstract: A storage compartment of a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a passenger compartment door controlling access to the passenger compartment. The storage compartment includes a base and a side wall surrounding a storage volume. The storage compartment is located forward of a footwell of the passenger compartment, the storage compartment is further positioned so that an opening to the storage volume is accessible from a lateral side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver alert system is configured to provide combined visual and audible spatial warnings. The system can include an object detection system to provide the location of at least one object relative to a vehicle, an audible output system including a plurality of speaker units, and a display unit. A control unit of the system can determine location of objects and generate combined visual and audible spatial warnings. Output of the combined visual and audible spatial warning can be controlled to output an audible alert indicating the location of the object relative to the vehicle passenger, and control a display unit to present a particle display output indicating the location of the object relative to the vehicle passenger. The system may include processes for control of combined visual and audible spatial warnings to account for changes in object position and vehicle heading.

Abstract: A vehicle including illuminated stitching as a trim on a vehicle interior surface. The method for installing the illuminated stitching includes cutting a continuous channel into the vehicle interior surface. The method also includes installing an illuminated fiber into the channel. The illuminated fiber is at least partially exposed and emits light. The illuminated fiber is secured in the channel to ensure the fiber stays in the channel.

Abstract: A driver interface system includes a steering wheel assembly and a display. The steering wheel assembly includes a variable-function input device. The variable-function input device includes a plurality of assignable functions and a present function being one of the plurality of assignable functions. The display is configured to display an image corresponding to the present function of the variable-function input device. The driver interface system may include a plurality of display modes, and in response to a change in display mode, the driver interface system may change the present function in the plurality of assignable functions. The steering wheel assembly may also include a touchpad configured to receive a handwritten input, and the display may be configured to display an image corresponding to the handwritten input.