Abstract: An autonomous vehicle operates in a Follow Mode, wherein an apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle includes an exterior monitoring system comprising at least one sensor to monitor an exterior region and to detect a location of a target user. A controller is configured to A) interactively map an activity zone having a selected expanse in the exterior region relative to the vehicle, B) compare a monitored location of the target user to the activity zone, C) detect a relocation event when the comparison of the monitored location of the target user to the activity zone exceeds a predetermined deviation, and D) send a navigation command in response to detecting the relocation event in order to autonomously reposition the vehicle so that a relative location of the target user is restored to the activity zone.

Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more transceivers configured to communicate with a server; and a controller programmed to responsive to detecting an extra load to the vehicle, obtain a first candidate energy consumption rate corresponding to the extra load from the server, calculate an estimated energy consumption rate using the first candidate energy consumption rate, and calculate a distance to empty using the estimated energy consumption rate.

Abstract: A controller selectively generates output for display indicative of a recommendation against use of a power outlet in a vehicle with devices external to the vehicle having a power rating greater than a predefined power rating threshold based on a difference between a current state of charge of a battery of the vehicle and a required state of charge for the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle receives a message for audible output and designation of a specified recipient. The vehicle uses one or more vehicle sensors to detect a location of the specified recipient. Further, the vehicle determines an audible output level projected to be sufficient for the recipient to hear the message at the location, responsive to detecting the location and outputs the message through speakers of the vehicle at the determined audible output level.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a controller. The first and second of wheels have first and second tires, respectively. The controller is programmed to receive inputs indicative of tire tread wear of the first and second wheels. The controller is further programmed to, in response to a command to adjust torques of the first and second wheels to first and second desired torque values, respectively, and a difference between a tire tread wear of the first wheel and a tire tread wear of the second wheel exceeding a threshold, adjust the torque of the first electric machine to less than the first desired torque value and adjust the torque of the second electric machine to greater than the second desired torque value.

Abstract: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.

Abstract: Parking settings and map data indicative of parking locations in proximity to a structure that are available for the vehicle are maintained to a memory of a vehicle, the parking settings indicating a first time at which the vehicle is to enter an automatic parking mode in which the vehicle moves among the parking locations in proximity to the structure, and a second time at which the vehicle is to exit the automatic parking mode. In the automatic parking mode, responsive to the parking settings indicating an automated parking movement, the parking locations are selected from to determine a parking location into which to move the vehicle and the automated parking movement is performed using a virtual drive system of the vehicle to move the vehicle from a current parked location in proximity to the structure to the determined parking location in proximity to the structure.

Abstract: A system receives a request for gate formation, including indication of a location where one or more vehicles are to form a gate. The system determines a number of vehicles to form the gate. The system also determines available vehicles in proximity to the location and, responsive to the available vehicles including at least the number of vehicles, selects the number of vehicles from the available vehicles to serve as gate vehicles. Also, the system instructs the gate vehicles to autonomously travel to the location and arrange in a designated formation, included in the instruction, to form the gate.

Abstract: A system receives a request for assistance on a task, the request at least identifying the task. The system determines one or more designated entities having predefined characteristics associated therewith indicating suitability for assistance and determines a current status of each determined entity and whether the status indicates availability for assistance. Further, the system contacts at least one of the entities for which the characteristics indicate suitability and for which the status indicates availability and, responsive to at least one entity indicating willingness to assist, opens a communication channel between a requestor, from whom the request originated, and the at least one entity indicating willingness to assist.

Abstract: A snow and ice vehicle accumulation determination and removal system for an electrified vehicle uses weight/load estimation methods based on vehicle sensors and user input to determine if the vehicle has accumulated a significant amount of snow/ice that could negatively affect the vehicle range. When a weight variation exists above a predetermined threshold which can be accounted for only as being due to snow and ice, then the invention may (1) warn the driver of reduced range and the reason for it, (2) perform drivetrain and/or cabin heating that may contribute to melting of the snow and ice (e.g., automatically adjusting powertrain performance to generate increase heat, such as running at a higher RPM), and/or (3) instruct the driver to proceed to an environment which can warm the vehicle (such as a facility equipped with a hot water spraying device).

Abstract: Use of a satellite network as a source of image data for detection of off-road obstacles is provided. Image data from a satellite network is received to an OBU of a vehicle via a transceiver of the vehicle. The image data is related to an off-road location to be traversed by the vehicle. A navigation map indicating locations of any obstacles detected as being present based on an analysis of changes in the image data over time is displayed in an HMI of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle feature predesignated as limited-use and may determine that a conditional parameter for enabling the vehicle feature has been met, based at least on a present vehicle state. The vehicle engages the vehicle feature responsive to the present vehicle state meeting the conditional use parameter and monitors changes to the present vehicle state. Also, the vehicle automatically controls the feature in accordance with changes to the present vehicle state, to adaptively control the vehicle feature reactive to the changes to the present vehicle state relative to the conditional use parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front axle having left and right front wheels and a rear axle having left and right rear wheels. A steering-wheel assembly is used to control at least the front wheels. Left and right driver-actuatable inputs are supported by the steering wheel assembly. A vehicle controller is programmed to, responsive to actuation of the driver-actuatable inputs, place the vehicle in one or more operating modes such as tank turn, trail turn assist, or diagonal driving mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second wheel assemblies, a steering wheel, a driver-actuatable input supported on the steering wheel, and an active stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar has a first end connected to the first wheel assembly, a second end connected to the second wheel assembly, and a coupler connected between the first and second ends and configured to provide a variable torsion force between the first and second ends. A controller is programmed to, in response to actuation of the driver-actuatable input, command the coupler to modify the torsion force.

Abstract: A vehicle determines a surface deviance on a road ahead of the vehicle and towards which the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle determines an adjustment to an adaptive ride-height system of the vehicle to change a vehicle ground-clearance, the adjustment determined based at least on a dimension associated with the deviance and, prior to reaching the deviance, adjusts the adaptive ride-height system in accordance with the determined adjustment.

Abstract: A tool application system for a vehicle may include a database configured to maintain an inventory of items on a vehicle, and a server configured to receive a request for at least one item relating to a worksite from a technician, compare the request for the at least one item to the inventory, determine that the item is not part of the inventory, transmit a part request to at least one location based on at least one factor, and transmit instructions to the vehicle in response to receiving a response to the request from the location confirming availability of the item.

Abstract: A controller selectively generates output for display indicative of a recommendation against use of a power outlet in a vehicle with devices external to the vehicle having a power rating greater than a predefined power rating threshold based on a difference between a current state of charge of a battery of the vehicle and a required state of charge for the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrical powertrain, a heater, at least one cooling loop, and a controller. The heater is configured to heat a vehicle cabin. The at least one cooling loop is configured to transport waste heat from at least one subcomponent of the electrical powertrain to the vehicle cabin. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to heat the vehicle cabin and a command to operate in an economy mode, shut down the heater and operate the at least one cooling loop to transport the waste heat to the vehicle cabin. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the command to heat the vehicle cabin and an absence of the command to operate in the economy mode, operate the heater to heat the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle provides a workspace in a passenger cabin to support a teleconference with a remote party. External sensors are configured to scan the exterior of the vehicle. A sound exciter is configured to generate a masking noise directed to the exterior. A control circuit which enhances privacy of the teleconference is configured to A) detect the audio content of the teleconference being present in the interior of the vehicle, B) quantify an interior sound level of the audio content, C) estimate a discernability of the audio content at an external location accessible to passersby where the audio content can be overheard, and D) activate the sound exciter such that the masking noise is adapted to mask the audio content at the external location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes determines that vehicle computing resources will not be fully utilized during an upcoming time period and that exhaustible vehicle power reserves will not be exhausted beyond a threshold based on use of the reserves to power computing using unused computing resources during at least a portion of the time period, those resources suitable for cryptocurrency mining based at least on resource computing capability and a predicted availability of a given resource during the upcoming time period. The vehicle additionally determines a cryptocurrency to mine based on present value of the at least one cryptocurrency producing a positive yield relative to an expense of power used to mine the cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resources determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining and automatically mines the at least one cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resource determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining during the upcoming time period.