Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle including a main bag body and a tail bag body is provided. The tail bag body extends forward from the main bag body in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The airbag is operable between an undeployed state and a deployed state such that, when the airbag is in the deployed state, the tail bag body extends into a cavity of an instrument panel defined by an upper wall, a front wall, and a lower wall. When in the deployed state, the tail bag body contacts at least one of the upper wall, the front wall, and a lower wall in order to inhibit movement of the main bag body in a vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly includes a seatbelt buckle and an air damper. The seatbelt buckle is coupled to an anchor point. The air damper is disposed between and coupled to the seat belt buckle and the anchor point. The air damper is configured to increase a resistance force applied to counteract movement of the seatbelt buckle away from the air damper as a speed of the movement of the seatbelt buckle increases.

Abstract: A vehicle tonneau cover includes a first tonneau cover portion and a second tonneau cover portion positioned opposite the first tonneau cover portion. A connecting structure connects the first cover portion with the second cover portion. A third tonneau cover portion is coupled to the connecting structure so as to be securable in a first position to form a first configuration of the cover, and in a second position to form a second configuration of the cover. In the first configuration, the third cover portion resides between the first and second cover portions. In the second configuration, the third cover portion is spaced apart from the first and second cover portions so as to form a first gap between the third cover portion and the first cover portion and a second gap between the third cover portion and the second cover portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and methods for autonomous charging of an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes an autonomous vehicle subsystem configured to evaluate vehicle charge, identify possible charging stations, interact with a user to confirm a charging station, navigate to the selected charging station, and initiate and receive of a charge from a charging port at the charging station. User interaction may be vehicle-driven or user-driven.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for vehicle occupant safety during automotive collisions. The apparatus includes a plurality of compression elements rigidly fixed to a first seat belt guide and a second seat belt guide. The compression elements are arranged to resist compressive loading in response to an impact force, such as that experienced during rapid deceleration of a vehicle occupant in an automotive collision. When a pre-determined threshold force has been overcome, the compression elements predictably deform, thus absorbing energy associated with the deceleration. As a result of deformation of the compression elements, additional seat belt length is pulled from the apparatus, thus shielding the vehicle occupant from maximal injury.

Abstract: A vehicle tonneau cover includes a first tonneau cover portion and a second tonneau cover portion positioned opposite the first tonneau cover portion. A connecting structure connects the first cover portion with the second cover portion. A third tonneau cover portion is coupled to the connecting structure so as to be securable in a first position to form a first configuration of the cover, and in a second position to form a second configuration of the cover. In the first configuration, the third cover portion resides between the first and second cover portions. In the second configuration, the third cover portion is spaced apart from the first and second cover portions so as to form a first gap between the third cover portion and the first cover portion and a second gap between the third cover portion and the second cover portion.

Abstract: A selective battery control system includes a battery exchange station and an at least partially electric vehicle communicably coupled to the battery exchange station. The at least partially electric vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to determine a number of batteries needed for a trip, determine if the at least partially electric vehicle has a correct number of batteries, and in response to the at least partially electric vehicle having an incorrect number of batteries, add or remove batteries until the at least partially electric vehicle has the correct number of batteries for the trip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and methods for autonomous charging of an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the present disclosure describes an autonomous vehicle subsystem configured to evaluate vehicle charge, identify possible charging stations, interact with a user to confirm a charging station, navigate to the selected charging station, and initiate and receive of a charge from a charging port at the charging station. User interaction may be vehicle-driven or user-driven.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for vehicle occupant safety during automotive collisions. The apparatus includes a plurality of compression elements rigidly fixed to a first seat belt guide and a second seat belt guide. The compression elements are arranged to resist compressive loading in response to an impact force, such as that experienced during rapid deceleration of a vehicle occupant in an automotive collision. When a pre-determined threshold force has been overcome, the compression elements predictably deform, thus absorbing energy associated with the deceleration. As a result of deformation of the compression elements, additional seat belt length is pulled from the apparatus, thus shielding the vehicle occupant from maximal injury.

Abstract: A selective battery control system includes a battery exchange station and an at least partially electric vehicle communicably coupled to the battery exchange station. The at least partially electric vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to determine a number of batteries needed for a trip, determine if the at least partially electric vehicle has a correct number of batteries, and in response to the at least partially electric vehicle having an incorrect number of batteries, add or remove batteries until the at least partially electric vehicle has the correct number of batteries for the trip.