Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving communication of user intent at a road crossing. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data identifying a blood flow in a brain of a user, determining whether the user intends on crossing a street based, at least in part, on the sensor data, and in response to determining the user intends on crossing the street, communicating an intent to cross using the accessory.

Abstract: A system and method in communication with a sensor that can attach to objects placed on the roof of a vehicle acquires dimensional data to determine the position/orientation of the objects on the roof and determine the clearance of the vehicle based on the orientation of the object. The system recommends an orientation of the object to be placed in (e.g., based on the acquired dimensions of the object) to optimize aerodynamics and/or to reduce clearance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing navigational guidance to a pedestrian on infrastructure elements or vehicles in the vicinity of the pedestrian based on the pedestrian being identified as unfamiliar with an environment. In one embodiment, a method includes determining that a pedestrian is in an unfamiliar area based on sensor data that characterizes the pedestrian. The method also includes acquiring a navigational instruction presented on a user device of the pedestrian. The method further includes presenting navigational assistance on an electronic display in a vicinity of the pedestrian responsive to an indication that the pedestrian is in the unfamiliar area. The navigational assistance is based on the navigational instruction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to identifying and assisting pedestrians identified as experiencing impaired decision-making capabilities. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, from interaction data collected by a user device of a pedestrian, an interaction characteristic of the pedestrian. The method also includes classifying the pedestrian as in an impaired decision-making state based on the interaction characteristic of the pedestrian deviating from baseline interaction data. The method further includes producing a pedestrian assistance countermeasure responsive to a determined impaired decision-making state for the pedestrian.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to synchronizing the presentation of vehicle exterior lights to reduce the sensory overload of a pedestrian. In one embodiment, a method includes assessing a sensory environment of a pedestrian. The method also includes determining that the pedestrian is in a sensory-overloaded state based on a characteristic of the sensory environment and sensor data indicative of a pedestrian state of mind. The method also includes synchronizing a presentation of a first vehicle exterior light and a presentation of a second vehicle exterior light based on a determination that the pedestrian is in the sensory-overloaded state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing navigation assistance to pedestrians experiencing temporary hearing impairment. In one embodiment, a method includes inferring that a pedestrian is experiencing hearing impairment based on data collected by a user device of the pedestrian. Responsive to an inference of hearing impairment, a hearing test is administered to verify hearing impairment of the pedestrian. A pedestrian assistance countermeasure is produced responsive to verified hearing impairment of the pedestrian as determined from the hearing test.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to superimposing computer-generated exterior vehicle lights over asynchronous real-world exterior vehicle lights to reduce a sensory overload of a vehicle driver. In one embodiment, a method includes assessing a sensory environment of a vehicle driver. The method also includes determining that the vehicle driver is in a sensory-overloaded state based on 1) a characteristic of the sensory environment, 2) physiological sensor data for the vehicle driver, and 3) driving behavior sensor data. The method also includes superimposing an augmented reality (AR) overlay of computer-generated synchronized exterior vehicle lights over asynchronous real-world exterior vehicle lights viewed through an AR display device of the vehicle based on a determination that the vehicle driver is in the sensory-overloaded state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving auditory and visual outputs in a vehicle environment based on occupant preferences. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring occupant data about an occupant in a vehicle. The method further includes processing the occupant data to determine an occupant preference indicating proclivities of the occupant in relation to the surrounding environment. Additionally, the method includes in response to determining that vehicle settings satisfy a change threshold that is based, at least in part, on a difference between the vehicle settings and the occupant preference, adjusting the vehicle settings according to the occupant preference.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving an audio and/or visual environment of a pedestrian. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying at least one device in an environment of a pedestrian that produces an output perceivable by the pedestrian, where the output includes at least one of an audio output and a visual output. The method further includes in response to determining that the output satisfies a change threshold, adjusting the output according to a pedestrian preference.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving communication of user intent at a road crossing. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data identifying a blood flow in a brain of a user, determining whether the user intends on crossing a street based, at least in part, on the sensor data, and in response to determining the user intends on crossing the street, communicating an intent to cross using the accessory.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the communication of a railroad crossing warning. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a railroad crossing in a path of a road user. The method further includes in response to determining that a train is approaching the road user at the railroad crossing, determining whether a warning mechanism of the railroad crossing satisfies a crossing threshold that is based, at least in part, on a safety condition of the warning mechanism. Moreover, the method includes controlling a display of the road user to output a virtual railroad crossing bar on the display according to the safety condition responsive to determining that the warning mechanism satisfies the crossing threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to encouraging pedestrian group movement to enhance traffic flow. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying, based on sensor data, a movement behavior of a pedestrian. The method also includes classifying the pedestrian as being isolated from a group of pedestrians based on the movement behavior of the pedestrian and movement behavior of the group. The method also includes producing a group restoration countermeasure responsive to the pedestrian being classified as isolated from the group. The group restoration countermeasure encourages the pedestrian to join the group.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to determining the behavior of a driver of a stroller and providing assistance to the driver through stroller-mounted output devices. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring a driver of a stroller based on sensor data collected from a sensor disposed on the stroller. The driver is classified as cognitively impaired based on the sensor data deviating from baseline data. The method also includes producing a driver assistance countermeasure at the stroller responsive to a determined cognitively impaired state for the driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying dynamic closed-captioning content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a user monitoring device for monitoring one or more characteristics of at least one user viewing display content produced by a display device, one or more processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more instructions to receive user data from the user monitoring device that corresponds to the one or more characteristics of the at least one user, determine a comprehension state of the at least one user based at least in part on the user data, and adjust a closed-captioning state of closed-captioning of the display content based on the comprehension state.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing sleep service in a vehicle to wake up a sleeping driver at a wake-up time based on the user profile of the driver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sleeping service system includes a processor, a data receiver, an alarm, and a non-transitory memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, and a set of machine-readable instructions stored on the memory module that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include accessing a user profile of a driver, accessing a route information, calculating an action time based on one or more of upcoming events, calculating a current leading time based on the user profile, and providing a wake-up notification to the driver at a wake-up time based on the action time and the current leading-time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources, one or processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: receive a lighting profile for an individual or device within visible range of the lighting system, and control the one or more light sources according to the lighting profile. In another embodiment, a method of operating a lighting system includes receiving, from an individual or a device within a visible range of the individual or device, a lighting profile, and controlling one or more lights of the lighting system according to the lighting profile.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying dynamic closed-captioning content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a user monitoring device for monitoring one or more characteristics of at least one user viewing display content produced by a display device, one or more processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more instructions to receive user data from the user monitoring device that corresponds to the one or more characteristics of the at least one user, determine a comprehension state of the at least one user based at least in part on the user data, and adjust a closed-captioning state of closed-captioning of the display content based on the comprehension state.

Abstract: A pedal touch anomaly notification system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes the vehicle itself, and at least one sensor configured to capture information about the position or orientation of the driver's foot relative to a control pedal of the vehicle. A processor uses the captured information, as well as a database containing baseline information and variance information about expected positions or orientations of the driver's foot relative to the control pedal. Based on the captured information, the processor determines the position or orientation of the foot of the driver relative to the control pedal, and compares the determined position or orientation to the baseline information and variance information. If the position or orientation fall outside the variance information, the processor generates a driver alert.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for controlling settings (and/or functions) of a vehicle via steering device finger tapping. A method generally includes receiving vibration information from a plurality of vibration sensors associated with a steering device, wherein the plurality of vibration sensors are configured to detect vibration on the steering device caused by a user of the vehicle; in response to receiving the vibration information, determining a user command based on the vibration information, determining a probability that the user intends to employ the user command via the vibration caused by the user, determining whether the probability is equal to or above a threshold, and selectively transmitting or not transmitting, to a controllable device, a control command corresponding to the user command based on whether the probability is determined to be equal to or above the threshold.