Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an automotive drone deployment system. The automotive drone deployment system may comprise at least a vehicle and a deployable drone. The vehicle may have an interior sensor suite and a plurality of potential exit points for the deployable drone. Objects and occupants of the vehicle may be retained when calculating the plurality of potential exit points. A route may be selected from the plurality of potential exit points. The vehicle may provide the drone with trajectory commands to control the path of the drone. The commands may be received by the drone and realized via the drone-based control system.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to protect a side-view mirror of a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor includes obtaining a first dimensional parameter associated with a body portion of a vehicle (for example, a width or a length of the vehicle) and a second dimensional parameter associated with a side-view mirror attached to the vehicle (for example, a protrusion distance of the side-view mirror). A turning path characteristic associated with a movement of the vehicle may then be determined, followed by determining a probability of a collision between the side-view mirror and an object located outside the vehicle. Determining the probability may be based on the first dimensional parameter, the second dimensional parameter, and the turning path characteristic. If the probability of the collision exceeds a threshold value, an alert may be issued, or a preventive maneuver executed in order to prevent the collision.

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: A system and method for operating a cruise control feature of a vehicle may operate by receiving a current speed limit for a roadway on which the vehicle is travelling, determining a first speed based upon the current speed limit, receiving current traffic data for the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling, determining a second speed based upon the current traffic data, and assigning a minimum of the first and second speeds as a set speed for a cruise control feature.

Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering scenario can be identified based on data from vehicle sensors including at least one of (a) a location of the vehicle, or (b) data indicating that a first steering wheel rotation in a first direction and a second steering wheel rotation in a second direction each exceed a rotation threshold. A steering ratio can be determined based on the vehicle maneuvering scenario. Vehicle steering can then be actuated according to the steering ratio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer are disclosed. An example apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer includes stability monitoring circuitry to determine, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a vehicle stability condition associated with the vehicle is satisfied, and stability control circuitry to, in response to the vehicle stability condition not being satisfied, adjust a load distribution on front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle by adjusting a vehicle pitch.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine that a door of a vehicle is attached to the vehicle based on data from at least one of a camera of the vehicle or a radio receiver of the vehicle; upon determining that the door is attached to the vehicle, actuate a component of the vehicle based on data from a door sensor of the vehicle, the door sensor indicating whether the door is open or closed; determine that the door is detached from the vehicle based on the data from the at least one of the camera or the radio receiver; and upon determining that the door is detached from the vehicle, actuate the component without relying on the data from the door sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more transceivers configured to communicate with a server; and a controller programmed to responsive to detecting an extra load to the vehicle, obtain a first candidate energy consumption rate corresponding to the extra load from the server, calculate an estimated energy consumption rate using the first candidate energy consumption rate, and calculate a distance to empty using the estimated energy consumption rate.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to monitor conditions of a roadway as a vehicle travels the roadway while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, identify an expected condition change based on the monitoring the conditions of the roadway, determine a preferred power state for an engine of the vehicle based on the expected condition change, determine that an engine power state transition is planned for the engine, the engine power state transition including transitioning the engine from a current power state to a planned power state, and resolve the engine power state transition based on the preferred power state.

Abstract: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.

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: 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: 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: 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.