Abstract: A crossbar assembly for a motor vehicle having a detachable roof and a roll bar includes a stanchion having a first connection portion configured to connect in a first configuration the stanchion to the roof when the roof is attached to the roll bar, the stanchion having a second connection portion configured to connect in a second configuration to the roll bar when the roof is removed from the roll bar. A crossbar is connected to the stanchion.

Abstract: A battery pack safety system for a battery powered vehicle includes a vehicle battery pack having at least one battery cell positioned in a bay of a frame. Multiple sensors are each supported by the frame. A safety module in communication with each of the multiple sensors collects an output of each of the sensors for transmission to a vehicle computer unit. A safety module power supply provides backup power for operation of the multiple sensors and the safety module when an electrical charge of the battery pack is unavailable. A warning module is in communication with the safety module. The warning module when initiated by a signal from the safety module in response to an output signal generated by any of the multiple sensors energizes a signaling device providing external vehicle indication of a status of the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having a structure receiving at least one battery. Multiple sensors are mounted to the structure and sense operating conditions inside and outside of the structure. A safety module is disposed on the structure, the safety module having a centralized sensor processor processing signals received from the multiple sensors to identify if any of the operating conditions defines an abnormal condition of the structure. At least one battery pack sensor senses a condition within the battery pack and is in communication with a vehicle battery management system (BMS). The safety module is in communication with the BMS such that the condition within the battery pack is also communicated to the safety module. The centralized sensor processor identifies if the condition within the battery pack correlates with the abnormal condition of the structure.

Abstract: A rail system for a motor vehicle includes a structural member disposed on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle. The structural member has an inner surface connected to an upper surface, the upper surface connected to an outer surface, and the inner surface is spaced apart from the outer surface and the outer surface substantially faces away from the motor vehicle. An appliqué is attached to the structural member. The appliqué covers a bottom edge of the structural member and extends along a lower portion of the outer surface of the structural member obscuring a portion of the outer surface of the structural member.

Abstract: A crossbar assembly for a motor vehicle having a detachable roof and a roll bar includes a stanchion having a first connection portion configured to connect in a first configuration the stanchion to the roof when the roof is attached to the roll bar, the stanchion having a second connection portion configured to connect in a second configuration to the roll bar when the roof is removed from the roll bar. A crossbar is connected to the stanchion.

Abstract: A method for managing host vehicle functions includes receiving a first input to a human-machine interface (HMI) controller having an adjustable haptic feedback mechanism and an access interface, presenting an application access interface having a plurality of selectable applications, receiving a second input selecting one of the plurality of selectable applications, presenting an application management interface having a plurality of selectable functions, receiving a third input indicating a selected function of the plurality of functions, presenting information related to the selected function, actively adjusting the haptic feedback mechanism in the HMI controller based on the selected function within the selected application, and receiving a fourth input selecting a setting within the selected function.

Abstract: A method of generating a user influenced recommendation list is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting a first user device and detecting a second user device within a predetermined zone within a compartment of the vehicle; coupling the first user device and the second user device to a recommendation engine; uploading a first preference list of contents from the first user device and a second preference list of contents from the second user device to the recommendation engine; selecting a ratio of contents from the first preference list and second preference list; and generating a third preference list of recommended contents, by the recommendation engine, by analyzing the selected ratio of contents from the first and second preference lists. The ratio is selected via a GUI. A system is provided for the implementation of the method.

Abstract: A biometric shifter for a vehicle includes a shifter body having an outer surface with a grip portion configured to be gripped by an operator's hand, the shifter body defining a chamber, the grip portion having an opening that communicates with the chamber, a vein reader sensor disposed within the chamber at a first distance from the opening in the grip portion, wherein the first distance is configured to optimize biometric verification of an operator's hand on the grip portion of the shifter body.

Abstract: A biometric recognition system for a vehicle includes a support portion, a vein reader sensor disposed on the support portion, and a control member configured to control a function of the vehicle. The control member has a top surface and a bottom surface and defines an opening extending through the control member from the top surface to the bottom surface. The control member is moveable relative to the support portion to a first position. The opening is aligned with the vein reader sensor and the top surface is a first distance from the vein reader sensor when the control member is in the first position. The first distance is configured to optimize biometric verification of an operator's hand gripping the control member.

Abstract: A rail system for a motor vehicle includes a structural member disposed on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle. The structural member has an inner surface connected to an upper surface, the upper surface connected to an outer surface, and the inner surface is spaced apart from the outer surface and the outer surface substantially faces away from the motor vehicle. An appliqué is attached to the structural member. The appliqué covers a bottom edge of the structural member and extends along a lower portion of the outer surface of the structural member obscuring a portion of the outer surface of the structural member.

Abstract: A method for autonomous parking of a vehicle includes requesting initiation of an autonomous parking routine; determining the location of a vehicle user of the vehicle comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a signal by one of an electronic device in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle user and a vehicle transceiver; (b) receiving the signal by the other of the electronic device in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle user and the vehicle transceiver; (c) measuring the strength of the received signal; (d) determining a distance between the electronic device and transceiver based on the strength of the received signal; (e) correlating the distance between the electronic device and transceiver as the distance that the vehicle user is from the vehicle; and initiating the autonomous parking routine only if the vehicle user is determined to be within the vehicle or beyond a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having a structure receiving at least one battery. Multiple sensors are mounted to the structure and sense operating conditions inside and outside of the structure. A safety module is disposed on the structure, the safety module having a centralized sensor processor processing signals received from the multiple sensors to identify if any of the operating conditions defines an abnormal condition of the structure. At least one battery pack sensor senses a condition within the battery pack and is in communication with a vehicle battery management system (BMS). The safety module is in communication with the BMS such that the condition within the battery pack is also communicated to the safety module. The centralized sensor processor identifies if the condition within the battery pack correlates with the abnormal condition of the structure.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having a structure defining a chamber receiving a battery. A first sensor is mounted to the structure for sensing an operating condition within the chamber. A safety module is disposed outside of the chamber. The safety module processes signals received from the first sensor to identify if the operating condition defines an abnormal condition occurring within the chamber. The safety module sends a first safety module signal when the signals received from the first sensor indicate the abnormal condition is present within the chamber.

Abstract: A battery pack safety system for a battery powered vehicle includes a vehicle battery pack having at least one battery cell positioned in a bay of a frame. Multiple sensors are each supported by the frame. A safety module in communication with each of the multiple sensors collects an output of each of the sensors for transmission to a vehicle computer unit. A safety module power supply provides backup power for operation of the multiple sensors and the safety module when an electrical charge of the battery pack is unavailable. A warning module is in communication with the safety module. The warning module when initiated by a signal from the safety module in response to an output signal generated by any of the multiple sensors energizes a signaling device providing external vehicle indication of a status of the battery pack.

Abstract: A biometric recognition system for a vehicle includes a support portion, a vein reader sensor disposed on the support portion, and a control member configured to control a function of the vehicle. The control member has a top surface and a bottom surface and defines an opening extending through the control member from the top surface to the bottom surface. The control member is moveable relative to the support portion to a first position. The opening is aligned with the vein reader sensor and the top surface is a first distance from the vein reader sensor when the control member is in the first position. The first distance is configured to optimize biometric verification of an operator's hand gripping the control member.

Abstract: According to several aspects, a roof rail system for a vehicle includes a stanchion connected to a roof surface of a motor vehicle at a vehicle attachment portion and connected to a roof rail at a roof rail attachment portion. The stanchion has an outer surface, an inner surface, a leading and a trailing surface. The inner surface has a recessed portion, and an inlet hole and an outlet hole for receiving a load securing member. The stanchion is aerodynamically optimized to improve drag and wind-noise characteristics.

Abstract: A roof rail system for a vehicle includes a stanchion extending away from the vehicle surface. The stanchion has an exterior surface connected to leading and trailing surfaces, and an inboard surface spaced apart from the outboard surface and connected to the leading and trailing surfaces. The leading surface faces forward, the trailing surface faces rearward, the outboard surface faces outward and the inboard surface faces inward. The stanchion has a cargo attachment feature having a first and second opening connected by a first passage. One of the outboard surface and the leading surface defines the first opening, and one of the inboard surface and the trailing surface defines the second opening. A plug is disposed within the first passage and defines a second passage extending from a first flexible aperture at an outer portion of the plug to a second flexible aperture at an inner portion of the plug.

Abstract: A sensor housing assembly for attachment to a vehicle includes a base portion having a first end, a second end, and an exterior decorative surface. The sensor housing assembly further includes a sensor housing portion adapted to house a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor and having a generally semi-cylindrical shape with a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion forms a first end of the semi-cylindrical sensor housing portion and the bottom portion forms a second end of the semi-cylindrical sensor housing portion. The sensor housing portion is disposed between the first end and the second end of the base portion and extends outward from the exterior surface of the base portion. The sensor housing portion has a window disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion.

Abstract: A vehicle console camera system includes a console positioned in a dashboard of a motor vehicle. A camera unit is mounted to an upper surface of the console. The camera unit includes a camera having a camera lens facing rearward. A viewing window of the camera captures images of each of an operator and a front seat passenger of the motor vehicle. A range of the viewing window permits facial features and recognition of the operator and the front seat passenger to be identified by software provided within a central processing unit.