Abstract: Arrangements relating to the transitioning of a vehicle between operational modes are described. The vehicle can transition between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The second operational mode has a greater degree of manual involvement than the first operational mode. For instance, the first operational mode can be an unmonitored autonomous operational mode, and the second operational mode can be a monitored autonomous operational mode or a manual operational mode. It can be determined whether an operational mode transition event has occurred while the vehicle is operating in the first operational mode. In response to determining that an operational mode transition event has occurred, a time buffer for continuing in the first operational mode before switching to the second operational mode can be determined. A transition alert can be presented within the vehicle. The transition alert can represent the determined time buffer.

Abstract: Vehicle operational data can be acquired in response to receiving a vehicle occupant voice command. A voice input can be received from a vehicle occupant while a vehicle is in operation. The received voice input can be analyzed to determine whether a vehicle diagnostic command is included in the voice input. In response to determining that a vehicle diagnostic command is included in the received voice input, one or more vehicle sensors can be caused to acquire vehicle operational data based on the vehicle diagnostic command. The vehicle operational data can be presented to a user, such as a driver, a passenger, or a review entity.

Abstract: A housing for a ground vehicle-mountable aerial vehicle is provided. The housing includes a base portion defining a cavity and an opening leading into the cavity. The cavity is structured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle therein. The cavity is configured so as to open upwardly when the housing is mounted on the vehicle. The housing also includes a drafting wall structured to extend from the base portion at a location forward of at least a portion of the cavity when the housing is mounted on the ground vehicle.

Abstract: Arrangements relate to the interaction between an autonomous vehicle and an external environment of the autonomous vehicle. Such interaction can occur in various ways. For example, a non-verbal human gesture in the external environment can be detected. The non-verbal human gesture can be identified. A future driving maneuver can be determined based on the identified non-verbal human gesture. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined future driving maneuver. As another example, the external environment of the autonomous vehicle can be detected to identify a person (e.g. a human pedestrian, a human bicyclist, a human driver or occupant of another vehicle, etc.) therein. The identified person can be located. It can be determined whether the person is potentially related to a future driving maneuver of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to send a directional message to the person.

Abstract: A vehicular sensing system, a vehicle and a method of performing one or both of vehicular mapping and navigating operations using the sensing system. The sensing system is secured to a roof or other suitable location on the vehicle and includes one or more sensors configured to acquire at least one of vehicular mapping and navigational data, a retractable mounting structure to move the sensor or sensors between a deployed and stowed position, and an aerodynamic spoiler, air dam or deflector. The body of the spoiler acts as a housing with a recess formed in its upper surface such that upon placement of the spoiler on the roof, the recess provides a location within the spoiler to permit storage of the mounting structure and sensors when they are in their deployed (non data-acquisition) mode of operation. The size and placement of the mounting structure and sensors is such that they do not detract from the aerodynamic or aesthetic qualities of the spoiler.

Abstract: A method of autonomous driving includes identifying, from detected information about an environment surrounding a vehicle on a roadway, a lateral surface profile of the roadway. Based on the lateral surface profile of the roadway, vertical wheel positions at identified candidate future lateral positions of the vehicle are determined. Based on the vertical wheel positions, as part of a driving path along the roadway, future lateral positions of the vehicle from among the identified candidates therefor are determined using an energy function that favors low vertical wheel positions.

Abstract: Devices and methods in an autonomous parking controller for a vehicle are disclosed. When the vehicle is located at a parking location, the method determines whether the parking location includes a parking restriction. When the parking location includes the parking restriction, the example method compares the parking restriction with at least one restriction threshold. When the parking restriction compares unfavorably with the at least one restriction threshold, the example method, while at the parking location, monitors for a change in at least one of a plurality of ambient conditions relative to the vehicle. When the example method detects the change, the vehicle is autonomously relocated to another location to alleviate the active obstruction.

Abstract: A method includes steps of determining, by a computing system of a vehicle, a service center to which the vehicle is to be driven for servicing. The method may further include the steps of, by the computing system, autonomously driving the vehicle from a start location to the service center, and from the service center to a designated end location after servicing.

Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if the vehicle is operating with at least one occupant inside the vehicle. If the vehicle is operating without at least one occupant inside the vehicle, the system may control the vehicle so as to disable and/or deactivate selected ones of driver-usage systems/components and passenger-usage systems/components.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor system includes a first sensor pod mounted to a pillar structure of the vehicle and a second sensor pod mounted to the pillar structure. A sensor pod deployment mechanism is operatively coupled to the first sensor pod and to the second sensor pod for deploying the first and second sensor pods from the pillar structure. The deployment mechanism is operable to move the first sensor pod between a stowed position and a deployed position of the first pod, and operable to move the second sensor pod between a stowed position and a deployed position of the second pod.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is configured for autonomous control of at least one actuatable vehicle system or component. The control system includes one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle, and a computing device in communication with the one or more sensors. The computing device is configured to acquire feedback relating to a ride quality feature from a vehicle occupant, identify vehicle control parameters affecting the ride quality feature; identify at least one autonomously controlled vehicle system affecting values of the identified vehicle control parameters; determine revisions to the vehicle control parameters necessary to implement the feedback relating to the ride quality feature; perform control parameter revisions necessary to implement the feedback relating to the ride quality feature, and control operation of the at least one autonomously controlled system or component so as to effect the control parameter revisions needed to implement the feedback.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein can present a confidence in an autonomous operation of a vehicle to one or more users. At least one operational status for a support system of the vehicle can be acquired. Based on the acquired operational status, a confidence in the autonomous operation of the vehicle can be determined. Responsive to determining the confidence in the autonomous operation of the vehicle, a confidence icon can be caused to be displayed within the vehicle. The confidence icon can include an emoticon that conveys an emotion corresponding to the determined confidence.

Abstract: A vehicular haptic feedback system includes a haptic feedback controller configured to communicate with a vehicle. The haptic feedback controller including a plurality of haptic feedback actuators and processing circuitry configured to detect quality of operation information of the vehicle, a direction and an intensity of threat information corresponding to the vehicle, and a mode of operation of the vehicle. The haptic feedback controller is also configured to determine a desired direction of travel of the vehicle based on the quality of operation information, the direction and the intensity of threat information, and the mode of operation. The haptic feedback controller is further configured to provide haptic feedback corresponding to the quality of operation information, the direction and the intensity of threat information, the mode of operation and the desired direction of travel of the vehicle, via the plurality of haptic feedback actuators.

Abstract: A vehicular sensing system, a vehicle and a method of performing one or both of vehicular mapping and navigating operations using the sensing system. The sensing system includes one or more sensors, a retractable mounting structure secured to a roof of the vehicle to be selectively placed within a recess formed in the roof. The mounting structure and sensor cooperative with one another such that the mounting structure selectively moves the sensor between a stowed position and a deployed position. A fairing is used to cover at least a portion of the sensing system and the recess when the sensing system is stowed within the recess. In a deployed position, the sensor is extended away from the roof to permit the sensor to acquire mapping or navigation data, while in its stowed position, the sensor, mounting structure and fairing define aesthetically-pleasing and aerodynamically unobtrusive profile across the portion of the roof that corresponds to the recess.

Abstract: Provided is a method and device to selectively illuminate off-road objects in low-light environments using directionally-adjustable vehicle headlamps. An object may be identified by a vehicle user and/or autonomous vehicle sensors. When the identified object is within an illumination range capability of a vehicle headlamp, a frontlighting control unit operates to determine vector data for the identified object, taking into account vehicle motion. With the vector data, a headlight pattern of the vehicle headlamp may be adjusted to align with the vector data to illuminate the identified object.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein can present a confidence in an autonomous operation of a vehicle to one or more users. At least one operational status for a support system of the vehicle can be acquired. Based on the acquired operational status, a confidence in the autonomous operation of the vehicle can be determined. Responsive to determining the confidence in the autonomous operation of the vehicle, a confidence icon can be caused to be displayed within the vehicle. The confidence icon can include an emoticon that conveys an emotion corresponding to the determined confidence.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data corresponding to hazards from a first vehicle to a second vehicle includes a first sensor for detecting first hazard data corresponding to a potential hazard and a second sensor, being of a different type than the first sensor, for detecting second hazard data corresponding to the potential hazard. The system also includes a network access device for receiving and transmitting signals and an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor and the network access device. The ECU determines whether the potential hazard exists based on the first and second hazard data. The ECU also determines a category corresponding to the potential hazard. The ECU also instructs the network access device to transmit potential hazard data corresponding to the potential hazard to the second vehicle when the category is a first category.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes circuitry configured to receive at least one route between a start location and a destination, display the at least one route on a first screen that allows selection of a first set of routes from the at least one route, receive a plurality of characteristics corresponding to each of the at least one route. Each characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is associated with a measure and a longest block within which each characteristic can be performed continuously. The circuitry further configured to divide a route of the at least one route to generate a plurality of segments based on the plurality of characteristics, and display the first set of routes, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to the first set of routes, the measure and the longest block corresponding to the plurality of characteristics on a second screen.

Abstract: A vehicular exercise system includes an exercise monitoring apparatus configured to communicate with a vehicle including one or more internal structures including at least one seat and a steering wheel. The at least one exercise monitoring apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to detect one or more exercise activities performed at the one or more internal structures and actuate the vehicle based on the one or more detected exercise activities. The processing circuitry is further configured to monitor one or more physiological parameters of the one or more detected exercise activities, determine a recommendation regarding future exercise activities based on the one or more physiological parameters, and output one or more notifications corresponding to the one or more physiological parameters and the determined recommendation.

Abstract: The processing of voice inputs includes receiving a voice input from a user. The received voice input can be analyzed to determine whether the voice input includes at least one of human-intended content or machine-intended content. Responsive to determining that the voice input includes human-intended content, a human recipient for the human-intended content can be identified within the voice input, and a message can be sent to the identified human recipient. The message can include the human-intended content in an audio form. Responsive to determining that the voice input includes machine-intended content, a machine recipient for the machine-intended content can be identified within the voice input, and a message including the machine-intended content can be sent to the identified machine recipient to implement the machine-intended content.