Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat, such as a chair or stool, which comprises a frame including at least one leg, an undercarriage which is configured to receive the leg, and a seat pan. The seat pan is rotatably mounted to the undercarriage, wherein the seat pan is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the undercarriage. The undercarriage also includes a recess and a resilient component in the recess, while the seat pan includes a stop located on a bottom surface of the seat pan. On rotation of the seat pan relative to the undercarriage, such as may occur when the person seated leans forward or back, the resilient component is compressed between the undercarriage and the stop. In one embodiment, an axle passes through the axis of rotation and connects the legs, and potentially backrest if present, to the undercarriage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for prioritizing vehicle charging using energy from renewable/low carbon emission energy sources over non-renewable/high carbon emission energy sources. The proposed systems and methods allow users to identify when to charge their vehicles and/or when to provide energy from their vehicles to other structures based on a currently available energy source mixture and in a manner that minimizes the impact to the environment. In-vehicle connectivity may be utilized to obtain real-time grid information, and a charging schedule may then be created that intelligently prioritizes charging during times when an energy mixture percentage available from renewable/low carbon emission sources exceeds a predefine threshold or when a real-time emissions level is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to providing assistance services to a disabled vehicle. In an example embodiment, a method executed by a first processor in a vehicle may involve detecting an event that places the vehicle in a disabled condition; transmitting information associated with the event to a second processor; and detecting an arrival of a assistance vehicle that is dispatched by the second processor based on an automated evaluation of the information associated with the event. The second processor, which can be, for example, a part of a server computer, may evaluate the information in order to identify an assistance vehicle having equipment for providing the assistance service. In an example scenario, the disabled vehicle and/or the assistance vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Use of a satellite network as a source of image data for detection of off-road obstacles is provided. Image data from a satellite network is received to an OBU of a vehicle via a transceiver of the vehicle. The image data is related to an off-road location to be traversed by the vehicle. A navigation map indicating locations of any obstacles detected as being present based on an analysis of changes in the image data over time is displayed in an HMI of the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for connected vehicle enhancements. An example method may include causing to present, based on a first factor, an offer to install a first software update to a vehicle for a first period of time. The example method may also include receiving a request to install the first software update for the first period of time. The example method may also include causing to install the first software update on the vehicle at a first time. The example method may also include causing to disable, based on a determination that the first period of time has elapsed, the first software update on the vehicle. The example method may also include receiving a request to permanently install the software update on the vehicle. The example method may also include causing to permanently install the first software update on the vehicle at a second time.

Abstract: A system has memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to instruct operation of at least one vehicle system (e.g., braking system, propulsion system, steering system, suspension system) in a minimum time mode for travel of the vehicle from a starting point to a destination point of a roadway. The system collects roadway data for the roadway from the starting point to the destination point. Based on the roadway data, the system determine a minimum time path from the starting point to the destination point and speed along the minimum time path. In response to a maximum acceleration input from a human driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is at the starting point, the system initiates the minimum time mode and instructs operation of at least one vehicle system to pursue the minimum time path and speed along the minimum time path from starting point to destination point.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front axle having left and right front wheels and a rear axle having left and right rear wheels. A steering-wheel assembly is used to control at least the front wheels. Left and right driver-actuatable inputs are supported by the steering wheel assembly. A vehicle controller is programmed to, responsive to actuation of the driver-actuatable inputs, place the vehicle in one or more operating modes such as tank turn, trail turn assist, or diagonal driving mode.

Abstract: A vehicle can operate on a roadway for which a default lane is defined. Upon determining that the vehicle is currently operating on the roadway for which the default lane is defined, a lane override command to select a target lane other than the default lane can be determined based on prior lane selections in the vehicle. A vehicle component can be actuated based on the target lane override command.

Abstract: Orientations of a vehicle with an attached trailer can be specified for obtaining respective images of the trailer. Respective images of the trailer captured by a vehicle camera at the specified orientations can then be received. The images can be input to a machine learning program trained to output trailer size metrics. The vehicle can then be controlled according to the trailer size metrics output from the machine learning program.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for automatically detecting internally blocked rear and side view mirrors. An example method to detect an obstruction may include detecting via sensors in the vehicle an obstruction preventing a driver from viewing a region of interest associated with a mirror, determining a permanence associated with the obstruction, and switching to a camera mode in lieu of the mirror when the obstruction has a permanence beyond a threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for virtual parking lot space allocation. An example method may include receiving, by a processor and from a first vehicle, sensor data relating to a first location. The example method may also include generating, by the processor and based on the sensor data, a first virtual parking space of a virtual parking location within the first location.

Abstract: Terrain characteristics of an off-road area are determined based on a map. The terrain characteristics include a terrain type, a terrain grade, and a presence or an absence of an obstacle. Vehicle characteristics are determined including a ground clearance and a breakover angle. Based on a user level, vehicle parameters for the off-road area are determined based on the terrain characteristics, the vehicle characteristics, and the user input. The vehicle parameters include a speed and a transmission gear. The vehicle parameters for the off-road area are output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an off-road feature of a vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is in an off-road area based upon a location of the vehicle and sensed terrain characteristics at the location. Upon determining that the vehicle is in the off-road area, the vehicle monitors parameters for enablement of the off-road feature of the vehicle. The off-road feature is enabled in response to the parameters being within a predetermined range based upon a number of transitions between an enabled state and a disabled state within a predetermined time being less than a transition threshold. Parameter monitoring for enablement of the off-road feature is ceased upon determining that the vehicle has moved from the off-road area to an on-road area.

Abstract: A system and method to a vehicle control assist system of a vehicle to an operator of the vehicle includes: retrieving stored driver assistance settings of an identified operator for the vehicle control assist system of the vehicle; collecting operating behavior data about the identified operator during vehicle operation; and selecting a driver assistance setting of a vehicle control assist system based on inputting the operating behavior data of the identified operator to a machine learning program that has been trained with operating behavior data of a plurality of other operators collected during operation of a plurality of respective vehicles, wherein metadata about the other operators have values in common with the metadata of the identified operator.

Abstract: A system examines a current route to determine if one or more instances of off-road travel exist providing an alternative path for reaching a route destination. The system determines that characteristics of a vehicle meet parameters associated with at least one of the instances of off-road travel. Also, the system, responsive to the determining that the characteristics meet the parameters, provides a driver with indication of an alternative route across the instance of off-road travel, including any payment necessary to use the instance of off-road travel. The system, responsive to driver selection of the instance of off-road travel, negotiates payment for usage of the instance of off-road travel and, responsive to negotiating payment, changes the current route to include the instance of off-road travel. The system also provides digital permissions for the vehicle to travel on the instance of off-road travel.

Abstract: A system and method for providing calibration data for driver assist systems based on a changed ride height includes receiving sensor data from at least one of a camera, RADAR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and/or LiDAR sensor of the vehicle, determining that a ride height of the vehicle has changed based on the sensor data, retrieving calibration data for at least one driver assist system based upon the changed ride height; and operating the at least one driver assist system using the retrieved calibration data.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to determine that a vehicle is attempting to enter an area designated for off-road travel. The processors are also configured to access use-restrictions stored in a database and associated with the area, the use-restrictions defining at least one vehicle constraint required for the vehicle to travel over one or more locations that are part of the area, the use restrictions defining at least one of vehicle control limiting or vehicle weight maximums. The processors are further configured to determine whether the vehicle meets the use-restrictions based on an assessment of vehicle characteristics compared to the use-restrictions and responsive to determining that the vehicle meets the restrictions, providing the vehicle with a digital access pass to the area.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive an input indicating a destination; determine a route for a vehicle from a current location of the vehicle to the destination; activate a navigation feature to output guidance instructing an operator to follow the route; and, in response to the navigation feature being active for the route, prompt the operator to activate a driver-assist feature of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a vehicle to mitigate vision obstructions includes collecting data on potential vision obstructions in a sightline of an operator of a vehicle, determining, based on the data, that a vision obstruction has occurred or is about to occur, and actuating a corrective measure in the vehicle. Collected data may include camera data from inside the vehicle and estimated environmental conditions, and the collected data may be used to disable the ADAS based on a detected or impending vision obstruction.