Abstract: A vehicle is described. The vehicle may include a vehicle sensor configured to detect cart location, and a lifting mechanism disposed at a vehicle sidewall. The lifting mechanism is configured to lift and secure a cart on a target location on the vehicle sidewall. The vehicle may further include a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain the cart location from the vehicle sensor, determine that the cart is aligned with the target location. Responsive to a determination that the cart is aligned, the processor is configured to transmit a command signal to the lifting mechanism to lift and secure the cart on the target location.

Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a first friction brake member that rotates with a wheel of the vehicle, a second friction brake member that is displaced from an initial position to initiate contact with the first friction brake member to apply braking torque to the wheel, a displacement assembly operably coupled to the second friction brake member to move the second friction brake member responsive to a brake torque request, a sensor network to measure displacement information of the displacement assembly from the initial position to a point of contact between the first and second friction brake members, and a control module operably coupled to the sensor network to record the displacement information to define recorded displacement information, and to determine tapering of the second friction brake member based on the recorded displacement information.

Abstract: A vehicle having a tail lift is disclosed. The tail lift may be configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The tail lift may be disposed perpendicular to a vehicle cargo bed in the retracted position, and parallel to the vehicle cargo bed in the extended position. The vehicle may further include a detection unit configured to detect a placement location of a cargo on the tail lift and presence of an obstruction in proximity to the tail lift. The vehicle may additionally include a processor that may obtain inputs from the detection unit when the tail lift may be in the extended position. The processor may determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the obtained inputs. The processor may further output a notification responsive to a determination that the predefined condition may be met.

Abstract: A wheel assembly cleaning system may include a sensor network disposed proximate to the wheel assembly to detect fouling inside the wheel assembly, a controller operably coupled to the sensor network to determine a trigger condition associated with detection of the fouling inside the wheel assembly, and a fluid dispensing assembly disposed proximate to an internal side of the wheel assembly to apply a fluid to the inside of the wheel assembly under control of the controller responsive to the trigger condition. The fluid dispensing assembly may include a reservoir of the fluid, a pump providing motive force for application of the fluid, and a flow controller to direct the fluid to the inside of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A refrigerated delivery vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a refrigerated cargo zone configured to store a plurality of delivery packages. The refrigerated cargo zone may include an access door. The vehicle may further include a detection unit configured to detect a user movement in the refrigerated cargo zone and an access door movement when the vehicle may be traversing a delivery route or parked. The vehicle may further include a processor configured to obtain inputs from the detection unit, and determine a user inefficiency parameter based on the inputs. The processor may be further configured to compare the user inefficiency parameter with a threshold inefficiency parameter. The processor may output a notification instructing the user to reduce the user movement or the access door movement when the user inefficiency parameter may be greater than the threshold inefficiency parameter.

Abstract: Vehicle power outlet advisory systems and methods are disclosed. An example method executed by a processor of a vehicle power outlet advisory system in a vehicle can include detecting a gesture made by an individual. The gesture may indicate that the individual is seeking assistance to power a device. The processor can determine a power consumption of the device based on identifying a type, a brand, or a model number of the device, and can then identify a power source in the vehicle that is compatible for powering the device. The processor may further identify a first power outlet in the vehicle that is coupled to the power source, followed by issuing instructions to the individual for locating the first power outlet.

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.

Abstract: A fleet management system is disclosed. The system may include a transceiver configured to receive parking facility attributes associated with a parking facility and vehicle information associated with each vehicle in a vehicle fleet. The parking facility attributes may include parking resource locations in the parking facility and a parking resource availability information. The vehicle information may include a vehicle operational status and a future expected vehicle usage information. The system may further include a processor configured to determine a parking resource for each vehicle based on the parking facility attributes and the vehicle information. The transceiver may transmit a notification to each vehicle including a location of the determined parking resource and associated time period for parking resource usage.

Abstract: A preconditioner system for a battery for a vehicle, the preconditioner system including detecting a state of charge of the battery. The system including determining the state of charge is below a first threshold. The system including prompting a user to connect the battery to a charger and detecting a temperature of the battery. The system including determining the temperature of the battery is outside a targeted battery temperature range and determining the charging capacity of the charger is below a second threshold at the temperature. The system including detecting a condition for a cabin defroster being deactivated and deactivating the cabin defroster in response to determining that the condition for the cabin defroster being deactivated is met. The system changing the temperature of the battery toward the targeted battery temperature range.

Abstract: A vehicle having controllable light illumination includes a cabin interior, a plurality of light illumination devices located in the cabin interior, a user input configured to receive a user selectable lighting theme, and a controller configured to control the plurality of light illumination devices to simulate an environmental lighting condition based on the user selectable lighting theme. The controller controls color and brightness of the plurality of light illumination devices to simulate the environmental lighting condition.

Abstract: A cargo floor for a vehicle, the cargo floor including a body and a guiderail coupled with an underside of the body. The cargo floor including a puck coupled with the underside of the body, wherein the at least one puck slidably engages an interior surface of a cargo space. The cargo floor including a cleat defining a lens-shaped profile, the cleat coupled with underside of the body. The cargo floor including a track coupled with the interior surface of the cargo space and aligned with the guiderail. The cleat is slidably coupled with the track, and the body is positioned between a disposed position and an extended position. The cargo floor further includes an actuator coupled with the underside of the body. The actuator locks and unlocks the guiderail and the track.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for adaptive prediction of electrified vehicle performance including receiving a set of goal parameters identifying a drivers performance requirements, receiving a set of fixed parameters related to course, vehicle and passenger status, receiving past energy consumption data for the electrified vehicle and the driver, generating an adaptive prediction of a future state of charge (SOC) of one or more electricity sources, and providing a dynamic control alteration based on the adaptive prediction, the dynamic control alteration as a function of the set of goal parameters. The adaptive prediction is based on the set of goal parameters, the set of fixed parameters and the past energy consumption data. The adaptive prediction includes updated parameters based on performance of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a vehicle-and-drone-based security service. In an example method, a first area of interest and a second area of interest associated with a structure may be determined. The first area of interest may then be determined to be monitored at the vehicle. The second area of interest may also be determined to be monitored at a drone associated with the vehicle. A route may be identified for the drone to travel along, where the route is configured for the drone to monitor the second area of interest. The drone may then be launched via the vehicle to travel along the route to monitor the second area of interest.

Abstract: A vehicle charge control method includes detecting that a vehicle is discharging electrical power, and detecting that the vehicle is, during the discharging, attempting a charging of a traction battery of the vehicle by receiving electrical power. The method assesses whether the electrical power that is discharging is used for attempting the charging, and then responds to the assessing.

Abstract: A base plate system includes at least one base plate configured to support at least one accessory and at least one sensor that is configured to determine at least one characteristic of the at least one accessory and/or the at least one base plate. A controller uses the at least one characteristic to estimate a stress and/or strain caused by the at least one accessory on the at least one base plate and predicts how the stress and/or strain could change depending on position of the at least one accessory and/or orientation of the at least one base plate within a vehicle.

Abstract: A climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle includes a divider selectively disposed in the compartment to divide the compartment into two zones in response to connection with a wall of the compartment. The system further includes a sensor monitoring the compartment and configured to detect the divider in the compartment. The system further includes at least one fluid connection in the compartment. The system further includes at least one actuator configured to control fluid flow through the at least one fluid connection. The system further includes control circuitry in communication with the sensor and the at least one actuator and is configured to communicate a signal to adjust the at least one actuator based on the detection of the divider.

Abstract: An event detection system is for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a sensor suite electrically connected to the processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations including receive an ON command, and receive data from the sensor suite. The data is indicative of the event, and the event includes the planting of unknown cargo on the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat component, a seat cover configured to cover at least a portion of the seat component, a connector for connecting the seat cover to the seat component, and an inductive transmitter coil provided on the seat component. The seating system for a vehicle also includes an inductive receiver coil provided on the seat cover and configured to inductively couple to the inductive transmitter coil when the seat cover is connected to the seat component, an electric powered heater provided on the seat cover and configured to receive electrical power from the inductive receiver coil to heat the seat cover, and a shape memory alloy provided on the seat cover and configured to reconfigure the seat cover between a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a running board assembly including a deck, and a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck. The vehicle further includes a motor configured to move the linkage assembly to adjust a position of the deck, and a sensor configured to obtain information indicative of activity adjacent an exterior of the motor vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle includes a controller configured to interpret the information from the sensor to determine a length of at least a portion of a leg of a person. The controller is configured to instruct the motor to adjust the position of the deck based on the determined length.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle is described. The vehicle may include a holding mechanism configured to hold a plurality of containers within the delivery vehicle. The plurality of containers may be configured to store a plurality of packages. The vehicle may further include a memory configured to store a first information including package attributes of each package and a mapping of each package with a container of the plurality of containers. The vehicle may further include a processor configured to obtain the first information from the memory. The processor may be further configured to determine a target location to load a target package or a target container in the delivery vehicle based on the first information. The processor may further activate a vehicle interior visual or audio component to indicate the target location in the delivery vehicle to load the target package or the target container.