Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a customer retrieve a package from an autonomous vehicle. In an example procedure, the autonomous vehicle may detect the customer waiting at a first spot and may determine that the first spot is unsuitable/unsafe for the customer to retrieve a package from a locked compartment in the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may therefore instruct the customer to move to a second spot that is safer and closer to the compartment and may then execute an authentication procedure to authenticate the customer and unlock a door of the compartment. In an alternative approach, the autonomous vehicle may travel to a parking spot that is safer and closer to where the customer is waiting (rather than instructing the customer to move) before authenticating and unlocking the door of the compartment to allow the customer to retrieve the package.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a door coupled to the body. The door is operable between opened and closed positions. A cinch assembly is operably coupled to the door. A door seal is positioned along at least a portion of a door opening, wherein the door seal includes a first conductor and a second conductor positioned therein. The first and second conductors are dielectrically isolated and cooperate to generate a capacitive signal. A controller is configured to monitor the capacitive signal and control the cinch assembly in response to the capacitive signal.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a customer retrieve a package from an autonomous vehicle. In an example procedure, the autonomous vehicle may detect the customer waiting at a first spot and may determine that the first spot is unsuitable/unsafe for the customer to retrieve a package from a locked compartment in the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may therefore instruct the customer to move to a second spot that is safer and closer to the compartment and may then execute an authentication procedure to authenticate the customer and unlock a door of the compartment. In an alternative approach, the autonomous vehicle may travel to a parking spot that is safer and closer to where the customer is waiting (rather than instructing the customer to move) before authenticating and unlocking the door of the compartment to allow the customer to retrieve the package.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a heater for an exterior interface. An example assembly includes a human-machine interface adjacent an exterior of the motor vehicle, and a heater configured to selectively thermally condition the human-machine interface. The heater includes a conductive polymer. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and system for an exterior display of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, configured to issue feedback prompts. An example method includes issuing a prompt via a human-machine interface on an exterior of a vehicle permitting an input indicative of an undesired condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a screen configured to be positioned on a vehicle exterior and a housing associated with the screen. The housing is comprised of a first material that is electrically conductive and thermally conductive and a second material is positioned to extend between an exterior surface of the housing and a vehicle structure, wherein the second material is thermally conductive.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a LIDAR sensor attachable to the vehicle and a puddle lamp fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and oriented to project a light projection downward beside the vehicle. A computer may be in communication with the LIDAR sensor and the puddle lamp and programmed to actuate the puddle lamp in response to receiving data generated by the LIDAR sensor indicating a user positioned within a threshold distance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle sharing system includes a vehicle having interior transceiver modules associated with different passenger seating areas and a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory in communication with the modules and programmed to detect occupancy status of each seating area based on signals from the modules and to communicate the occupancy statuses to a remote server to facilitate scheduling of ride-sharing passengers for a specified seating area of the vehicle. The reserved seating location may be used to align the seating location/door with a passenger during pick-up, adjust vehicle accessory settings associated with the reserved seating location, and activate a visual indicator to direct the passenger to the assigned/reserved seating location.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a heater for an exterior interface. An example assembly includes a human-machine interface adjacent an exterior of the motor vehicle, and a heater configured to selectively thermally condition the human-machine interface. The heater includes a conductive polymer. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller for dynamically adjusting size of the displayed virtual input icons based on a touch event.

Abstract: An illuminatable vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a dielectric layer that emits light. The dielectric layer is disposed between an anode layer and a cathode layer. The assembly further includes a color conversion layer that converts light emitted from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a screen configured to be positioned on a vehicle exterior and a housing associated with the screen. The housing is comprised of a first material that is electrically conductive and thermally conductive and a second material is positioned to extend between an exterior surface of the housing and a vehicle structure, wherein the second material is thermally conductive.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and system for an exterior display of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, configured to issue feedback prompts. An example method includes issuing a prompt via a human-machine interface on an exterior of a vehicle permitting an input indicative of an undesired condition of the vehicle.