Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes: a door; an electric actuating motor that opens and closes the door, the electric actuating motor configured for actuating at a hinge of the door; a push-open actuator mounted at a rear of the door, the push-open actuator configured for pushing against a body of the vehicle; and a wireless device configured for communications to the vehicle. A system for a vehicle includes: a front door; a rear door behind the front door, the rear door having a dual-hinge design that opens and closes in a substantially vertical direction; an electric actuating motor that opens and closes the front door, the electric actuating motor configured for actuating at a hinge of the front door; and a wireless device configured for communications to the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is a battery module where the battery module footprint is generally defined by the size and number of battery cells. This is implemented by first optimizing the battery cell structure and stacking orientation for a given battery module footprint. A predetermined number of battery cells are then removed and replaced with components needed to implement a variety of auxiliary functions. For example, the components can be electrical connectors, cooling channels, heating channels and mounting channels for placement of mounting pins. In an implementation, the positions of the removed battery cells can also be mounting points. The predetermined number of battery cells can be a function of the amount of electrical energy needed to be stored by the battery module. The positions of the removed battery cells can be anywhere in the battery module, including the edge or interior positions.

Abstract: A control system has at least one sensor configured to track an orientation of a front wheel of a nearby vehicle and provide data indicative of the orientation. The control system also has a computing device including a processor and a memory. The computing device is configured to receive the data from the at least one sensor, determine a wheel angle parameter of the front wheel of the nearby vehicle based on the data, and generate a control command to change at least one of a direction or an acceleration of the vehicle based on the determined wheel angle parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for observing and reporting key vehicle events based upon information collected by a wide array of sensors already included in modern motor vehicles is provided. The system and method may be particularly valuable for electric vehicle applications.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin air filtration system has an electronic air filter which removes unwanted air particles from air prior to or after entry into a vehicle cabin. The vehicle cabin air filtration system also has a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a parameter and a controller operatively connected to the electronic air filter and the sensor. The controller receives the signal indicative of the parameter from the sensor, compares the parameter to a stored condition, and selectively activates or deactivates the electronic air filter based on the comparison.

Abstract: An electrochromic vehicle window is disclosed. The electrochromic vehicle window comprises a plurality of electrochromic layers, each electrochromic layer having a different color or different visual properties. Each electrochromic layer independently oscillates between varying degrees of transparency to indicate the status of a vehicle, such as that the vehicle is charging.

Abstract: A management system of a vehicle battery replacement system has a plurality of battery replacement stations for replacing a depleted battery pack of an electric vehicle with a charged battery pack. Each battery replacement station includes a coordinating device. The management system also has a control system in communication with the coordinating devices of the battery replacement stations and a plurality of client devices. The control system is configured to receive a request for a battery replacement operation from a client device, and select a battery replacement station of the plurality of battery replacement stations for performing the battery replacement operation.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells each configured to store an electric charge and a busbar interconnecting the plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell has a first end surface including a positive terminal, a second end surface, and a perimeter surface including a negative terminal. The busbar has a layered structure including a plurality of parallel-extending layers. The layers include a first conductive layer positioned on the first end surface and contacting each of the positive terminals of the plurality of battery cells, a second conductive layer positioned between the first and second end surfaces and contacting each of the negative terminals of the plurality of battery cells, and at least one isolating layer positioned between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The at least one isolating layers holds the battery cells in position in at least a lateral direction.

Abstract: A system and method for observing and reporting key vehicle events based upon information collected by a wide array of sensors already included in modern motor vehicles is provided. The system and method may be particularly valuable for electric vehicle applications.

Abstract: A remote locking system for an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The locking system has a locking mechanism operably connected to an axle of the vehicle. The locking mechanism is selectively actuatable to prevent a power system from rotating the axle. The locking system also has a control station connected to the locking mechanism through a wireless network. The control station is configured to remotely actuate the locking mechanism. The power system is autonomously controlled by an electronic control system and the locking mechanism is independent from the electronic control system.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring pedestrians based upon information is collected by a wide array of sensors already included in modern motor vehicles. Also included, is a system of monitoring pedestrians by aggregating data collected by an array of vehicles.

Abstract: A control system has at least one thermal imaging sensor configured to track a thermal profile of a wheel of a nearby vehicle and provide data indicative of the thermal profile. The control system also has a computing device including a processor and a memory. The computing device is configured to receive the data from the at least one thermal imaging sensor, determine a wheel angle parameter of the front wheel of the nearby vehicle based on the data, and generate a control command to change at least one of a direction or an acceleration of the vehicle based on the determined wheel angle parameter.

Abstract: A control system has at least one sensor configured to track an orientation of a front wheel of a nearby vehicle and provide data indicative of the orientation. The control system also has a computing device including a processor and a memory. The computing device is configured to receive the data from the at least one sensor, determine a wheel angle parameter of the front wheel of the nearby vehicle based on the data, and generate a control command to change at least one of a direction or an acceleration of the vehicle based on the determined wheel angle parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring environmental and geological conditions based upon information is collected by a wide array of sensors already included in modern motor vehicles. Also included is a system for monitoring environmental and geological conditions by aggregating data collected by an array of vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring locating people and vehicles based upon information is collected by a wide array of sensors already included in modern motor vehicles. Also included is a system of locating people and vehicles by aggregating data collected by an array of vehicles.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells each configured to store an electric charge and a busbar interconnecting the plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell has a first end surface including a positive terminal, a second end surface, and a perimeter surface including a negative terminal. The busbar has a layered structure including a plurality of parallel-extending layers. The layers include a first conductive layer positioned on the first end surface and contacting each of the positive terminals of the plurality of battery cells, a second conductive layer positioned between the first and second end surfaces and contacting each of the negative terminals of the plurality of battery cells, and at least one isolating layer positioned between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The at least one isolating layers holds the battery cells in position in at least a lateral direction.

Abstract: A battery module has a lower housing and an upper housing. The lower housing has a plurality of generally vertical sidewalls defining a space for receiving a plurality of battery cells and a generally horizontal bottom wall. The plurality of sidewalls include a first sidewall. The lower housing further has a cooling plate integrally formed with the lower housing. The cooling plate has a support wall extending generally parallel to the bottom wall for supporting the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of generally vertical channel walls including a first channel wall, and a cooling channel for receiving a coolant fluid therein. At least a portion of the cooling channel is defined at sides thereof by the first sidewall and the first channel wall. The upper housing covers a top opening of the lower housing to form an enclosure for the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: Described herein is a battery module where the battery module footprint is generally defined by the size and number of battery cells. This is implemented by first optimizing the battery cell structure and stacking orientation for a given battery module footprint. A predetermined number of battery cells are then removed and replaced with components needed to implement a variety of auxiliary functions. For example, the components can be electrical connectors, cooling channels, heating channels and mounting channels for placement of mounting pins. In an implementation, the positions of the removed battery cells can also be mounting points. The predetermined number of battery cells can be a function of the amount of electrical energy needed to be stored by the battery module. The positions of the removed battery cells can be anywhere in the battery module, including the edge or interior positions.

Abstract: A battery pack system includes a battery pack module having a plurality of sealed battery cell containers, each having at least one battery cell configured to store electrical energy and a port. The battery pack system further includes a battery pack management system having a controller and a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the controller. The battery pack system further has a cooling system having a coolant source, a fluid channel connecting the coolant source to the port of at least one of the plurality of sealed battery cell containers, and at least one valve operatively connected to controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal from one of the plurality of sensors indicative of an abnormal condition at one of the sealed battery cell containers and control the at least one valve to introduce coolant fluid into the sealed battery cell container.

Abstract: A battery pack including a plurality of battery cells and a battery housing defining a plurality of receptacles each configured to support a respective one of the plurality of battery cells is provided. A plurality of damping inserts are each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of receptacles and positioned between a respective one of the plurality of battery cells and the battery housing.