Abstract: A system to detect and avoid spilled cargo in an automobile vehicle, includes an automobile vehicle rear cargo area including a floor to temporarily receive a storage item in the cargo area. A lift gate is moved between a closed and latched position and a fully open position inclusive to allow loading and removal of the storage item. A vision system identifies the storage item when initially loaded in the cargo area and identifies if the storage item is initially positioned in a cargo spill position or subsequently moves to the cargo spill position. A cargo stop device is releasably connected to the lift gate. An operating system releasably stores the cargo stop device when the storage item is not in the cargo spill position and deploys the cargo stop device when the storage item is in the cargo spill position.

Abstract: A system to detect and avoid spilled cargo in an automobile vehicle, includes an automobile vehicle rear cargo area including a floor to temporarily receive a storage item in the cargo area. A lift gate is moved between a closed and latched position and a fully open position inclusive to allow loading and removal of the storage item. A vision system identifies the storage item when initially loaded in the cargo area and identifies if the storage item is initially positioned in a cargo spill position or subsequently moves to the cargo spill position. A cargo stop device is releasably connected to the lift gate. An operating system releasably stores the cargo stop device when the storage item is not in the cargo spill position and deploys the cargo stop device when the storage item is in the cargo spill position.

Abstract: A system and method to perform dynamic bandwidth adjustment among two or more vehicle sensors includes receiving input. The input includes data from each of the two or more vehicle sensors. The two or more vehicle sensors include a camera, an audio detector, a radar system, or a lidar system. The method also includes determining a bandwidth at which each of the two or more vehicle sensors should provide the data, and providing a control signal to each of the two or more vehicle sensors to adjust the bandwidth based on the determining.

Abstract: A moisture detection and regulation system is disclosed for a vehicle interior component having a section of material with a moisture absorbent material structure. The system includes a sensing device configured to detect a level of moisture in the section of material. The system also includes a moisture removal element configured to dissipate moisture from the section of material. The system additionally includes an electronic controller fixed to the vehicle structure and in operative communication with each of the sensing device and the moisture removal element. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicative of the detected level of moisture in the section of material and activate the moisture removal element when the detected level of moisture is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold level of moisture. A vehicle having such a moisture detection and regulation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an article comprising a first metal layer; a second metal layer that is chemically different from the first metal layer; and a third metal layer disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and contacting both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; where the third metal layer is chemically similar to either the first metal layer or the second metal layer; where at least two metal layers that are chemically similar are welded together through a clearance opening located in a metal layer that is not chemically similar to the at least two metal layers.

Abstract: A system and method to perform detection based on sensor fusion includes obtaining data from two or more sensors of different types. The method also includes extracting features from the data from the two or more sensors and processing the features to obtain a vector associated with each of the two or more sensors. The method further includes concatenating the two or more vectors obtained from the two or more sensors to obtain a fused vector, and performing the detection based on the fused vector.

Abstract: A method includes determining, with an on-board vehicle hardware system, if a hearing assistance device is in use within a vehicle. The method also includes providing a notification, through a vehicle infotainment system, when the hearing assistance device is in use. The notification provides a vehicle operator with a prompt for activating an external environment amplification system.

Abstract: A moisture detection and regulation system is disclosed for a vehicle interior component having a section of material with a moisture absorbent material structure. The system includes a sensing device configured to detect a level of moisture in the section of material. The system also includes a moisture removal element configured to dissipate moisture from the section of material. The system additionally includes an electronic controller fixed to the vehicle structure and in operative communication with each of the sensing device and the moisture removal element. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicative of the detected level of moisture in the section of material and activate the moisture removal element when the detected level of moisture is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold level of moisture. A vehicle having such a moisture detection and regulation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method to perform detection based on sensor fusion includes obtaining data from two or more sensors of different types. The method also includes extracting features from the data from the two or more sensors and processing the features to obtain a vector associated with each of the two or more sensors. The method further includes concatenating the two or more vectors obtained from the two or more sensors to obtain a fused vector, and performing the detection based on the fused vector.

Abstract: A system and method to perform inter-sensor learning obtains a detection of a target based on a first sensor. The method also includes determining whether a second sensor with an overlapping detection range with the first sensor also detects the target, and performing learning to update a detection algorithm used with the second sensor based on the second sensor failing to detect the target.

Abstract: A system and method to perform dynamic bandwidth adjustment among two or more vehicle sensors includes receiving input. The input includes data from each of the two or more vehicle sensors. The two or more vehicle sensors include a camera, an audio detector, a radar system, or a lidar system. The method also includes determining a bandwidth at which each of the two or more vehicle sensors should provide the data, and providing a control signal to each of the two or more vehicle sensors to adjust the bandwidth based on the determining.

Abstract: A method includes determining, with an on-board vehicle hardware system, if a hearing assistance device is in use within a vehicle. The method also includes providing a notification, through a vehicle infotainment system, when the hearing assistance device is in use. The notification provides a vehicle operator with a prompt for activating an external environment amplification system.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a driver element, a driven element, and a panel disposed between the driver element and the driven element. The driver element has a first magnetic field generator configured to generate a rotating magnetic field. The driven element has a second magnetic field generator disposed thereon. The panel physically separating the driver element and the driven element, such that in response to the rotating magnetic field, the driven element is rotated relative to the panel.

Abstract: A method for generating and transmitting a reminder message includes obtaining a unique user profile. The user profile includes a user identification (ID) indicative of a unique user, an object ID indicative of a unique object, and a device ID indicative of a unique mobile device. The processor is configured to predict a spatial relationship between the user, the object, and the mobile device. The prediction is based, in part, on the user ID, the object ID, and the device ID, where the prediction includes a geographic location for the user, the object, and/or the mobile device. The processor compares a location of at least two of the user, the object and the mobile device with the prediction of the user's spatial relationship with the object and the mobile device. The processor transmits a reminder message when the prediction of the spatial relationship exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method includes determining, with an on-board vehicle hardware system, if an active cellular phone call is occurring. The method also includes determining, with a vehicle infotainment system, if a hands-free call system is in use when an active cellular phone call is established. A notification is then provided, through the vehicle infotainment system, when it is determined that the hands-free call system is not in use. The notification provides a vehicle operator with instruction for activating the hands-free call system for a future usage.

Abstract: A method for generating and transmitting a reminder message includes obtaining a unique user profile. The user profile includes a user identification (ID) indicative of a unique user, an object ID indicative of a unique object, and a device ID indicative of a unique mobile device. The processor is configured to predict a spatial relationship between the user, the object, and the mobile device. The prediction is based, in part, on the user ID, the object ID, and the device ID, where the prediction includes a geographic location for the user, the object, and/or the mobile device. The processor compares a location of at least two of the user, the object and the mobile device with the prediction of the user's spatial relationship with the object and the mobile device. The processor transmits a reminder message when the prediction of the spatial relationship exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an article comprising a first metal layer; a second metal layer that is chemically different from the first metal layer; and a third metal layer disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and contacting both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; where the third metal layer is chemically similar to either the first metal layer or the second metal layer; where at least two metal layers that are chemically similar are welded together through a clearance opening located in a metal layer that is not chemically similar to the at least two metal layers.

Abstract: A grounding element is provided. The grounding element includes a first portion including a first metal; a second portion including a second metal other than the first metal; and a fastening portion configured to receive a fastener to attach the grounding element to a body. The grounding element may be welded to a body of a vehicle and used to ground a vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for a vehicle and a method of using the antenna assembly with a vehicle communication system. The assembly includes a substrate and an antenna array. The substrate may be sized for a radio frequency-friendly (RF-friendly) region in the vehicle, and the antenna array carried by the substrate. The antenna array includes two or more antennas configured for communication in different RF bands.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system may include a first vehicle node, a second vehicle node, and a fiber optic node connection. The first vehicle node includes an electronic processing unit coupled to a first communication circuit that includes a plurality of self-configuring optical cells. The fiber optic node connection couples the first vehicle node to the second vehicle node using at least some of the self-configuring optical cells. In response to a trigger event, the electronic processing unit is adapted to configure the plurality of self-configuring optical cells to enable communication between the first and second vehicle nodes via the fiber optic node connection.