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 window tint system for a motor vehicle includes a transparent layer and a transparent organic light emitting diode (T-OLED) screen positioned in contact with the transparent layer. The T-OLED screen includes a plurality of pixels, and the T-OLED screen has a first state wherein the pixels are substantially transparent and a second state wherein a subset of the pixels have a reduced transparency relative to the first state to reduce the transmission of light there through.

Abstract: A sensor pod includes a main bracket including a base portion, a center support surface spaced apart from the base portion, and first, second, third, and fourth support surfaces connected to the center support surface. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth support surfaces are angled with respect to the center support surface and are disposed equidistant about the center support surface. The first and second support surfaces are connected to the base portion. A center sensor is disposed on the center support surface and first, second, third, and fourth sensors are each one disposed on one of the first, second, third, and fourth support surfaces. A housing is disposed overtop the main bracket, the center sensor, and the first, second, third, and fourth sensors.

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 motor vehicle heads-up display system includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen positioned in contact with a motor vehicle windshield. The OLED screen includes a screen portion used to display augmented reality projection data. Multiple transparent display portions individually display vehicle related data and infotainment related data including at least a first transparent display portion, a second transparent display portion, and a third transparent display portion. A transparency level of each of the multiple transparent display portions can be varied. An instrument cluster display is presented on the first transparent display. A camera presentation of a motor vehicle left-hand side view is presented on the second transparent display. A camera presentation of a motor vehicle right-hand side view is presented on the third transparent display. One of the multiple transparent display portions is positioned in direct line-of-sight view of a passenger of the motor vehicle.

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 method for directing a host vehicle to perform automatic valet functions includes receiving a first input to access an automatic valet system. The method further includes presenting an automatic valet system management interface having at least two selectable functions including an autonomous park function and an autonomous un-park function. The method further includes receiving a second input to select one of the at least two functions of the automatic valet system. The method further includes presenting information related to the selected function. The method further includes receiving a third input to direct the automatic valet system to perform the selected function. The method further includes presenting an option to cancel the selected function for a predetermined period of time, and presenting a status of the host vehicle as it performs the selected function.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door trim assembly includes a sliding door panel movable between open and closed positions along a travel path. A door actuation assembly is connected with the sliding door panel. A trim panel is attached to the sliding door panel. The trim panel includes at least one slot formed therein. Guide tracks are positioned within the at least one slot. A plurality of rigid trim components are pivotally linked to each other and constrained within the guide tracks. The plurality of trim components pivot and slide within the guide tracks and seamlessly cover the at least one slot when the sliding door panel is moved along the travel path.