Abstract: A guidance system for a user includes a first haptic device disposed on a first, rightward side and a second haptic device disposed on a second, leftward side of the user. A local controller is disposed on the user to communicate with the first and second haptic devices. A remote server is configured to communicate with the local controller. A vehicle includes a global positioning system sensor, and is in communication with the remote server. The local controller includes a control routine that is executable to determine a desired location of the vehicle, and determine a present location of the user. The control routine guides, via the first and second haptic devices, movement of the user towards the desired location of the vehicle, and indicates, via the first and second haptic devices, arrival of the vehicle at the desired location. The control routine pairs the user with the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat for at least one occupant of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a back, and a first side component. The seat cushion has a front end, a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the front and back ends. The seat cushion includes a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion is disposed at the back end and includes a first top surface that is configured to engage the occupant. The front portion is disposed at the front end. At least one of the front and rear portions is configured to move along the longitudinal axis with respect to the other of the front and rear portions. The back is disposed at the back end of the seat cushion. The first side component is coupled to the back. The first side component is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a use configuration.

Abstract: A seat for at least one occupant of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a back, and a first side component. The seat cushion has a front end, a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the front and back ends. The seat cushion includes a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion is disposed at the back end and includes a first top surface that is configured to engage the occupant. The front portion is disposed at the front end. At least one of the front and rear portions is configured to move along the longitudinal axis with respect to the other of the front and rear portions. The back is disposed at the back end of the seat cushion. The first side component is coupled to the back. The first side component is configured to move between a stowed configuration and a use configuration.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for remotely controlling one or more comfort settings within a cabin of a vehicle. The vehicle includes one or more comfort sub-systems, a communication interface, and a controller. The communication interface receives control signals from a comfort settings management system. The control signals indicate one or more comfort settings of the one or more comfort sub-systems. The controller can generate commands, based on the control signals, that automatically adjust settings of the one or more comfort sub-systems to control the one or more comfort settings within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a rear row of seats attached to the vehicle body. The rear row of seats includes a first side seat proximate a first side of the vehicle, a second side seat proximate a second side of the vehicle, and an intermediate seat disposed between the first side seat and the second side seat. The intermediate seat has an upright position. The intermediate seat is configured to support an occupant in the upright position. The intermediate seat is supported for movement relative to the vehicle body, the first side seat, and the second side seat while in the upright position. Methods for positioning a rear row of seats are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for taking action when a beverage spill has occurred within a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more sensors, an input device, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to detect that a beverage has spilled within a vehicle. The input device configured to receipt an in input from a passenger of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the input device, and configured to at least facilitate: providing information to a passenger of the vehicle as to an option to obtain a replacement beverage; receiving input from the passenger via the input device, in response to the information provided to the passenger, as to whether a replacement beverage is desired; and taking an action to obtain the replacement beverage, when the passenger has provided the input to obtain the replacement beverage.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for taking action when a beverage spill has occurred within a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more sensors, an input device, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to detect that a beverage has spilled within a vehicle. The input device configured to receipt an in input from a passenger of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the input device, and configured to at least facilitate: providing information to a passenger of the vehicle as to an option to obtain a replacement beverage; receiving input from the passenger via the input device, in response to the information provided to the passenger, as to whether a replacement beverage is desired; and taking an action to obtain the replacement beverage, when the passenger has provided the input to obtain the replacement beverage.

Abstract: A method of detecting an intrusion includes sending an activation command to an intrusion detection system. In response to the activation command, at least one camera is activated. At least one image is obtained from the at least one camera representative of a surrounding area of the at least one camera. The at least one image is analyzed to determine if the intrusion is detected. An operator is then notified of the presence or absence of the intrusion.

Abstract: A user-position-focused vehicle lighting system comprising a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having a user-position-determination module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines a vehicle user position proximate a vehicle. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-identification module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the vehicle user position, which of multiple vehicle lighting features should be illuminated, yielding a presently selected lighting feature. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-activation module configured to, when executed by the processing unit, send a signal to the presently selected lighting feature to illuminate the presently selected lighting feature. In various embodiments, the technology includes the storage device separate from the processing unit, and processes performed by the system.

Abstract: Enhanced features of a vehicle based transportation system are presented here. In accordance with one methodology, the transportation system processes ride requests for multiple passengers of an autonomous vehicle based transportation system. Each ride request is associated with a respective pickup location and a respective destination location. The system calculates a respective passenger transportation route for each actively operating autonomous vehicle, wherein each passenger transportation route is based at least in part on the pickup locations and destination locations associated with the ride requests, and wherein each passenger transportation route is calculated in accordance with predetermined prioritization criteria. The actively operating autonomous vehicles are controlled in a desired manner to satisfy at least some of the ride requests.

Abstract: A methods and a server for operating a vehicle are provided. A method includes selecting an identifier that is associated with a vehicle reservation for passenger service in the vehicle. The method further includes initiating a pick-up portion of the vehicle reservation for making the vehicle available to a passenger. The method further yet includes displaying the identifier at the vehicle during the pick-up portion of the passenger service. The server includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that configure the server for performing the method.

Abstract: A user-position-focused vehicle lighting system comprising a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having a user-position-determination module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines a vehicle user position proximate a vehicle. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-identification module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the vehicle user position, which of multiple vehicle lighting features should be illuminated, yielding a presently selected lighting feature. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-activation module configured to, when executed by the processing unit, send a signal to the presently selected lighting feature to illuminate the presently selected lighting feature. In various embodiments, the technology includes the storage device separate from the processing unit, and processes performed by the system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis, and defines an cargo area laterally bounded by a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall. A shade assembly includes a housing that is removably attached to the first lateral side wall. A retractable cover is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable across the cargo area to cover the cargo area. A retractable net is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable away from the housing to secure cargo relative to the body. The housing extends in a lengthwise direction along a central axis that is disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body, when attached to the first lateral side wall. The retractable cover and the retractable net each extend and retract independently of each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis, and defines an cargo area laterally bounded by a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall. A shade assembly includes a housing that is removably attached to the first lateral side wall. A retractable cover is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable across the cargo area to cover the cargo area. A retractable net is retractably supported by the housing, and is extendable away from the housing to secure cargo relative to the body. The housing extends in a lengthwise direction along a central axis that is disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body, when attached to the first lateral side wall. The retractable cover and the retractable net each extend and retract independently of each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement is disclosed herein for an electronically actuatable door latch that controls a door of a vehicle. The actuator arrangement includes, but is not limited to, an actuating member that is connected to the door and that is operatively coupled to the electronically actuatable door latch. The actuating member is configured to actuate the electronically actuatable door latch when the actuating member is pushed in an outboard direction. The actuator arrangement further includes a bracing member that is mounted to the door proximate the actuating member at a position that is inboard of the actuating member. The bracing member permits a user to brace against the bracing member when pushing the actuating member in an outboard direction.

Abstract: A door check system includes a rod interconnecting a door assembly and a body of a vehicle. The door check system secures the position of the door assembly at any location along a swing path of the door assembly, between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A coil spring is disposed about the rod, with the rod extending through a central aperture thereof. An actuator is coupled to the coil spring and configured for tightening and loosening the coil spring about the rod. When the actuator tightens the spring about the rod, the spring grasps the rod and secures the position of the door assembly relative to the body. When the actuator loosens the spring from about the rod, the door assembly is free to move along the swing path.

Abstract: A semi-autonomous vehicle couplable to a parent vehicle is described, and includes a chassis supported on first and second axles coupled to a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system configured to transfer torque to one of the wheels, a steering system configured to control direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a braking system configured to apply braking force to the wheels, a high-voltage electrical energy storage system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system operatively couples to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system. A coupling device is configured to electrically couple the semi-autonomous vehicle to the parent vehicle, the coupling device consisting essentially of a high-voltage DC electrical power bus electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical energy storage system.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch includes, but is not limited to, a pushable member. The actuator assembly further includes a mounting member connected to the pushable member and configured for connection to a vehicle door. The mounting member is further configured to mount the pushable member to the vehicle door in a manner that enables the pushable member to be pushed from a closed position to an open position. The actuator assembly further includes a latch engaging member connected to the mounting member and configured for engagement with a latch of the vehicle door. The latch engaging member is configured to move the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position, whereby the user is enabled to both unlatch the vehicle door and open the vehicle door with a single pushing movement.

Abstract: A semi-autonomous vehicle includes a chassis having a repository on a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system of the semi-autonomous vehicle is operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system. A non-load-bearing coupling mechanism of the semi-autonomous vehicle includes a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link.

Abstract: A door check system includes a rod interconnecting a door assembly and a body of a vehicle. The door check system secures the position of the door at any location along a swing path of the door, between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The door check system includes a rod interconnecting the door assembly and the body. A coil spring is disposed about the rod, with the rod extending through a central aperture thereof. An actuator is coupled to the coil spring and configured for tightening and loosening the coil spring about the rod. When the actuator tightens the spring about the rod, the spring grasps the rod and secures the position of the door assembly relative to the body. When the actuator loosens the spring from about the rod, the door assembly is free to move along the swing path.