Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an outdoor heating system for a motor vehicle, including: a heater electrically connected to a power source of the motor vehicle and to a controller of the motor vehicle, wherein the heater is at least partially outside the motor vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured to issue commands to the heater to selectively adjust an output level of the heater and to selectively adjust an orientation of the heater.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes an imaging device located on the vehicle and oriented to capture images, memory storing one or more pet profiles, and a controller processing the captured images to detect a pet and determining at least one of an estimated pose of the pet and a gait of the pet, wherein the processor determines a bone structure of the pet from the at least one estimated pose and gait and compares the bone structure to the one or more pet profiles to detect an authorized pet, the controller controlling one or more vehicle related features based on the detected authorized pet.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo utilization control system includes a processor disposed in a vehicle controller and a memory for storing executable instructions. The processor is programmed to execute the instructions to receive identity information associated with a vehicle user from a mobile device and vehicle sensory devices, and determine identity of the vehicle user. The system receives receive anthropometry information, and entry and exit data associated with the vehicle user that can indicate mobility limitations or special uses of the vehicle cargo hold that have been observed and recorded by the system. The processor may determine a vehicle recommendation based on the identity of the vehicle user and the anthropometry information, and cause a vehicle configuration change that modifies a vehicle system based on the unique user identity, mobility limitations, and predicted use of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo management system includes, among other things, an outer member of a cargo retention frame and an inner member of the cargo retention frame. The inner member is at least partially received within the outer member. A locking device is transitionable back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position. The outer and inner members are slideable relative to each other when the locking device is in the locked position. The outer and inner members are fixed relative to each other when the locking device is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: Exemplary spare tire cover systems for motor vehicles may include features for assisting in raising/lowering a spare tire to/from a vehicle mounted position. Exemplary system features may include, but are not limited to, a deployable ramp, a wheel stop, a wheel catcher, and a strut assembly for moving the deployable ramp between stowed and deployed positions. The spare tire cover systems may additionally include features designed for increasing the functionality of the system, including but not limited to integrated deployable steps and handrails, lighting, sensors, etc.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a cargo bed having a first and a second sidewall. A rail assembly is disposed on the first sidewall. The rail assembly is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first sidewall. An actuator system raises and lowers the rail assembly to move the rail assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror system for a vehicle coupled to a trailer is provided. The vehicle mirror system includes first and second mirror assemblies configured to be located on first and second sides of the vehicle, a trailer angle sensor for sensing a hitch angle between the trailer and the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the first mirror assembly to control a first viewing window of the first mirror assembly for a driver of the vehicle, wherein the first mirror assembly is adjusted to redirect the viewing window to track a feature on the trailer as the trailer articulates relative to the vehicle based on the hitch angle. The second mirror assembly may be controlled to move inwards and downwards.

Abstract: A window breaker tool for use on a vehicle includes a body having a handle to enable a user to grip the tool, a glass breaker member extending from the handle configured to contact a glass window with force to break the glass window, and an accelerometer operatively coupled to the body to sense acceleration during impact and generate a signature signal. The tool also includes an RF signal communication device located on the tool for communicating with a plurality of RF signal communication devices on the vehicle to determine a location of the tool relative to the vehicle, wherein the RF signal communication device communicates with a controller for processing the signature signal and determining whether the signature signal is indicative of the tool in use to break a window, and wherein the controller further determines the tool is within the vehicle based on the location and outputs an alert signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle door panel, a removeable structure having a retention member fixed on the vehicle door panel, and a holding element associated with the retention member to provide a pocket that can be configured in different ways to accommodate a plurality of powered devices. A power interface in the vehicle door panel powers at least one of the plurality of powered devices. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing the power interface in the vehicle door panel to power at least one of the plurality of powered devices, and providing a communications link between at least one of the plurality of powered devices and a vehicle touchscreen or control.

Abstract: Various accessories for motor vehicles with removable doors are described herein. In particular, the accessories may be mounted to a motor vehicle when a traditional, or factory, door is removed. Example accessories include covers, grab handles, tube doors, and pieces of furniture, each of which may include one or more lights or other electrically powered devices.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle and a crossbar spanning the cargo bed. The crossbar is slidable relative to the cargo bed. A lift assist device is mounted to the crossbar. The assembly can include a passenger side rail mounted to a passenger side wall assembly of the cargo bed, and a driver side rail mounted to a driver side wall assembly of the cargo bed. The crossbar can be slidably coupled to both the driver side rail and the passenger side rail.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other things, a spare tire cover comprising an attaching ring configured to surround an outer circumference of a tire and a center panel that is attached to the attaching ring. At least one exciter is mounted to the center panel. A method includes, among other things, molding at least one temperature sensor to a center panel, mounting the center panel to enclose one open side of an attaching ring to form a spare tire cover, and mounting at least one exciter to the center panel to selectively generate a desired sound.

Abstract: A computer can execute instructions to: receive, power-receiving vehicle data identifying a power-receiving vehicle; identify one or more power-supplying vehicles for providing charging to the power-receiving vehicle; determine a rank for each of the identified one or more power-supplying vehicles based on the received power-receiving vehicle data and data received from the one or more power-supplying vehicles; upon selecting one of the one or more power-supplying vehicles, provide a navigation instruction to navigate at least one of the power-receiving vehicle and the selected power-supplying vehicle to a charging location based on a power-receiving vehicle location and a selected power-supplying vehicle location; and send access data to the power-receiving vehicle to access a charge port of the selected power-supplying vehicle; send a first light actuation instruction to the power-supplying vehicle based on a charging status; and send a second light actuation instruction to the power-receiving vehicle based

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive, from a charge-requesting vehicle, a charge request, determine a suggested provider pool for fulfilling the charge request, the suggested provider pool including multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, send suggested provider data to the charge-requesting vehicle, the suggested provider data identifying the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, receive, from the charge-requesting vehicle, a provider selection identifying one of the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles as a selected charge-providing vehicle, identify transfer parameters for a battery charge transfer from the selected charge-providing vehicle to the charge-requesting vehicle; and send a transfer initiation message to instruct the selected charge-providing vehicle to initiate the battery charge transfer according to the transfer parameters.

Abstract: Charging cord assemblies for transferring power between electrified vehicles during in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events may include a cable including a wire bundle coated with a conductive foamed plastic shielding to establish a cable subassembly. The conductive foamed plastic shielding is configured to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the cable. Various cable routing arrangements may be utilized for routing the cable of the charging cord assembly during the in-flight bidirectional energy transfer events.

Abstract: A central computer includes a first processor and a first memory. A portable computer includes a second processor and a second memory. The portable computer is programmed to: obtain an identifier of a vehicle via a scanner included in the portable computer, and transmit the identifier and first validation data to the central computer, and transmit a message to the central computer for a destination computer. The central computer is programmed to receive the identifier and the first validation data from the portable computer, determine second validation data; identify a destination computer based on the identifier, and upon determining that a comparison of the first validation data and the second validation data meets a specified criterion, transmit the message from the portable computer to the destination computer.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a hanger connected to the assist handle and configured to hang a holder configured to hold an electronic device, a charger configured to charge an electronic device held in the holder hanging on the hanger, and a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A central computer includes a first processor and a first memory. A portable computer includes a second processor and a second memory. The portable computer is programmed to: obtain an identifier of a vehicle via a scanner included in the portable computer, and transmit the identifier and first validation data to the central computer, and transmit a message to the central computer for a destination computer. The central computer is programmed to receive the identifier and the first validation data from the portable computer, determine second validation data; identify a destination computer based on the identifier, and upon determining that a comparison of the first validation data and the second validation data meets a specified criterion, transmit the message from the portable computer to the destination computer.