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.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine that a vehicle is carrying a load; in response to an activation of an adaptive cruise control while the vehicle is carrying the load, operate the adaptive cruise control according to a set of parameters, the parameters being based on the load; while the adaptive cruise control is inactive and the vehicle is carrying the load, determine an expected operation of the adaptive cruise control, the expected operation being how the adaptive cruise control would operate according to the set of the parameters if active; and adjust at least one of the parameters based on a comparison of the expected operation with an actual operation performed by an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A target vehicle can be identified for sound recording. A microphone on the host vehicle is activated to record sounds emanating from the target vehicle. A host vehicle assist feature is operated to maintain a sound recording proximity to the target vehicle. Then the sounds emanating from the target vehicle are recorded while the host vehicle is within the sound recording proximity of the target vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle having an electrically powered trailer towed thereto. The vehicle has a vehicle powertrain, and the trailer has a trailer powertrain. A controller, in order to propel the vehicle with the trailer towed thereto, operates the vehicle powertrain and the trailer powertrain according to a combined efficiency map based on (i) an efficiency map associated with the vehicle powertrain and (ii) an efficiency map associated with the trailer powertrain.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a seat in a vehicle. In an example method, a processor may evaluate a detector signal to determine an occupancy status of a second seat located behind a first seat in a vehicle. The processor may then execute a seat movement operation of the first seat based on the occupancy status of the second seat. The seat movement operation may involve either moving the first seat backwards over a first distance based on the second seat being unoccupied or moving the first seat backwards over a second distance that is smaller than the first distance based on the second seat being occupied. The first seat may be moved backwards at either a first speed of movement or a second speed of movement based on factors such as an available separation distance between the first seat and the second seat.

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: 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 computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive data indicating a lane change by a first vehicle that is towing a second vehicle, the data including data indicating a direction that first wheels of the first vehicle are turning while the first vehicle is performing the lane change; and during the lane change, instruct a steering system of the second vehicle to turn second wheels of the second vehicle in a same direction as the first wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle having a powered tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a body, a powered tailgate pivotally connected to the body, an actuator operatively coupled to the tailgate to move the tailgate between open and closed positions, and sensors configured to sense an object in a swing path of the tailgate. The vehicle also includes a controller for processing signals output from the sensor and identifying and classifying the object, and controlling the actuator to move the tailgate between the open and closed positions based on the classified object.

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: A system receives indication of a request for a vehicle characteristic from a requesting party. The system determines candidate gathering vehicles for processing the request, based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the requesting party. The system sends instructions to the candidate gathering vehicles to search for the vehicle characteristic using onboard sensors. Further, the system receives sensor data from the candidate gathering vehicles and analyze the sensor data to determine sensor data indicating the vehicle characteristic. The system saves instances of the sensor data as candidate locations for a vehicle having the vehicle characteristic, along with location data included with the instances of the sensor data when the sensor data was received. The system determines a locality of the vehicle based on the saved location data saved with the instances and provides the locality to the requesting party.

Abstract: A system receives identification of an item to be loaded into a vehicle and determines dimensions of the item. The system adds the item to a total load for an identified vehicle and, based on known dimensions of available space in the identified vehicle, determines one or more candidate placement options for each of one or more items comprising the total load, within available space within the vehicle, wherein candidate placement options for each item are determined so as not to overlap with placement options for another of the one or more items within a given configuration representing placement options for all of the one or more items comprising the total load. Additionally, the system presents a visual rendering of at least one given configuration that successfully allows the total load to fit within the available space.

Abstract: Success rate and usage monitoring for charging vehicles is provided. A charger request is received from a requesting device, the charger request requesting charger recommendations for a vehicle. One or more vehicle attributes are identified from the charger request. The charger recommendations are determined based on charger statistics computed based on charger histories that correspond to the one or more vehicle attributes, the charger histories being descriptive of vehicle charges performed to one or more vehicles by one or more charging stations and further including information descriptive of the one or more vehicles receiving the vehicle charges. The charger recommendations corresponding to the one or more vehicle attributes are sent to the requesting device, responsive to the request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a vehicle trailer using torque vectoring are disclosed. An example apparatus to control a trailer of a vehicle includes condition determination circuitry to determine, based on data from sensors on at least one of the trailer or the vehicle, whether a condition associated with the vehicle is satisfied, and torque control circuitry to adjust, in response to the condition being satisfied, a first torque of a first motor and a second torque of a second motor, the first motor operatively coupled to a first wheel of the trailer, the second motor operatively coupled to a second wheel of the trailer.

Abstract: While operating a host vehicle in a lane, a target vehicle is detected entering the lane in front of the vehicle. A trajectory of the target vehicle is predicted based on sensor data. Upon determining that the target vehicle will pass through the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated based on determining a presence or an absence of a lead vehicle. Upon determining that the target vehicle will remain in the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated with the target vehicle as the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A controller commands an electric machine of a vehicle to produce propulsive torque with energy from a traction battery of the vehicle and, at a same time, commands an electric machine of a trailer coupled with the vehicle to produce regenerative torque such that a speed of the vehicle does not change.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for issuing a hazard warning to an animate object located in a vicinity of a vehicle. In an example method, a processor in a warning system of a vehicle, detects an animate object (a person or an animal) in the vicinity of a first vehicle and determines a hazard posed to the animate object. The hazard, which may be caused by the first vehicle or another vehicle that is moving in a collision course with the animate object, can be evaluated by determining a trajectory of the animate object and a trajectory of the vehicle. If the probability of intersection of the two trajectories exceeds a threshold intersection probability level, the processor recognizes a hazard and issues a warning to the animate object (a horn beep, flashing lights, or a text message to a smart device of the person).