Abstract: A trailer merge function of a tow vehicle includes receiving sensor data from one or more tow vehicle first sensors of an environment that is rearward of a connected tow vehicle. The method includes determining whether pattern associated with the sensor data matches a predetermined pattern corresponding to sensor data in which a field of view of the one or more first sensors is at least partly blocked by a trailer connected to the tow vehicle. Responsive to determining that the trailer at least partly obstructs the field of view of the one or more first sensors, sending a signal for warning a driver of the tow vehicle of lesser functionality of a trailer merge function, or increasing a reliance of one or more other sensors mounted to the tow vehicle, different from the one or more first sensors, in performing the trailer merge function.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a trailer in an image includes obtaining at least one real-time image from a vehicle. The at least one real-time image is processed with a controller on the vehicle to obtain a feature patch describing at least one real-time image. A convolution is performed of the feature patch and each filter from a set of filters with the filter being based on data representative of known trailers. A location of a trailer is determined in the at least one real-time image based on the convolution between the feature patch and each filter from the set of filters.

Abstract: A method for determining a trailer angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer attached to the tow vehicle includes receiving images from a camera positioned on a rear portion of the tow vehicle with a data processing hardware device, determining visual features from the images, tracking the visual features while the tow vehicle and trailer are moving and calculating, at the data processing hardware, the trailer angle based on the visual features. The trailer angle is then transmitted from the data processing hardware to one or more vehicle systems.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a visual display to be viewed by a vehicle occupant. At least one drone includes a camera. A controller is configured to receive images from the camera on the at least one drone and generate an overhead view of the vehicle based on the images received from the at least one drone and display the overhead view on the visual display.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a trailer in an image includes obtaining at least one real-time image from a vehicle. The at least one real-time image is processed with a controller on the vehicle to obtain a feature patch describing at least one real-time image. A convolution is performed of the feature patch and each filter from a set of filters with the filter being based on data representative of known trailers. A location of a trailer is determined in the at least one real-time image based on the convolution between the feature patch and each filter from the set of filters.

Abstract: A method for minimizing disturbance due to wind forces of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The method also includes receiving, at a data processing hardware data from a sensor system for the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining, at the data processing hardware, a passing object profile. The method also includes predicting, at the data processing hardware, a wind force profile based upon the sensor data the passing object profile. The method also includes determining, at the data processing hardware, at least one preventative action for the vehicle to minimize the effect of disturbance on the trailer.

Abstract: A disclosed vehicle guidance system includes a transceiver receiving information indicative of operating conditions of other vehicles along a roadway and a controller within a primary vehicle. The controller utilizes the received information indicative of operating conditions to determine a recommended vehicle path along the roadway responsive to the operation of the other vehicles, the position of the primary vehicle and a scenario selected based on both the information of operation of other vehicles and the position of the primary vehicle received by the controller. A communication device communicates the recommended vehicle path to the operator of the primary vehicle.

Abstract: A method of providing guidance in a host vehicle, including receiving a first broadcast signal transmitted by a first vehicle; and extracting vehicle data, a vehicle identifier, and a request from the first broadcast signal; responsive to the request, determining a recommended path for the host vehicle based upon the extracted vehicle data; and displaying or causing the displaying of the recommended path to the driver of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A method for providing vehicle assistance to a vehicle when parking in a parking lot is provided. The method includes identifying, by the path controller, one or more available parking spaces based on the one or more images. The method includes displaying, on a user interface in communication with the path controller, a representation of the identified one or more available parking spaces, and receiving, on the user interface, a driver selection of a representation of the identified one or more available parking spaces. The method includes determining, by the path controller, a path from a current position of the vehicle to an available parking space associated with the driver selection of the representation. The method includes instructing, a drive system of the vehicle, to autonomously drive the vehicle along the path.

Abstract: A rear automatic braking system is automatically overridden and released if the accelerator pedal is depressed with the rate of change which is greater than empirically determined threshold beyond a predetermined percentage of its travel for at least a predetermined length of time and if the vehicle's brake pedal is not depressed.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving, at data processing hardware, a first set of vehicle system data from one or more vehicles. The method also includes determining, at the data processing hardware, a data model based on the first set of vehicle system data. Additionally, the method includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, a second set of vehicle system data associated with the vehicle. The vehicle being different than the one or more vehicles. The method includes determining, using the data processing hardware, a vehicle location based on the second set of vehicle system data and the data model. The method includes displaying, on a user interface of the vehicle in communication with the data processing hardware, the vehicle location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a method that includes providing at least one sensor mounted to a structure on a vehicle. The at least one sensor is located at a sensor height relative to ground level. A first object is located on the vehicle at a fixed distance from the at least one sensor and at a variable distance from ground level. The variable distance estimated as a function of a vehicle load. The sensor height adjusted based on the variable distance to account for any changes in the vehicle load. A second object is spaced at a vertical distance from ground level. An adjusted sensor height used for comparison to the vertical distance of the second object from ground level.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of maneuvering a vehicle in reverse for attachment to a trailer. The method includes: determining, at a computing device in communication with the neural network, a selected trailer in proximity to the vehicle; detecting at least one user input gesture performed by a user and captured in at least one image from at least one camera on the vehicle; selected a maneuver command for the vehicle based on the detected gesture; and executing the maneuver to move the vehicle from the initial position toward a final position adjacent the trailer.

Abstract: A method of controlling traffic at a first intersection having a first traffic light is disclosed, including monitoring traffic at the first intersection and storing traffic information from the monitoring in memory; receiving traffic information relating to one or more other intersections in an area in which the first intersection is located; determining a timing sequence for the first traffic light based at least in part upon the traffic information from the monitoring and the received traffic information; and updating control of the first traffic light to utilize the determined timing sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting element for non-detachably connecting at least two components by means of friction welding when the connecting element is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the connecting element. The connecting element includes a stem formed along the longitudinal axis with a stem face at a free end of the stem for penetrating at least one component, and a head connected to the stem for transmitting a torque about the longitudinal axis from a turning tool to the stem. The stem face has a stem end face which has a convex envelope with a blunt shape.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method and software program for managing parking spaces in a geographical area. The system, method and software program includes monitoring the geographical area; identifying one or more available parking spaces in the geographical area based at least partly upon the monitoring; informing, over the air interface, one or more vehicle operators about a first available parking space of the one or more available parking spaces identified; and completing a parking reservation for the first available parking space with a first vehicle operator of the one or more vehicle operators.

Abstract: New measurement inputs for Kalman Filter or similar estimation approaches (at each sample) may include: DSRC messages from roadside transmitters (RSTs), such as: how long it takes for a DSRC signal from one or more fixed RSTs to reach the vehicle and comparison of that information with vehicle position estimates from a signal propagation model, which is based on how long it takes a DSRC signal to reach the vehicle GPS location from a fixed known RST location. From such measurements, it can be determined how much longer (or shorter) it takes to receive the RST message compared to the previous sample, which, in turn, gives an idea how far the vehicle has moved over a sample relative to a fixed RST location.

Abstract: New measurement inputs for Kalman Filter or similar estimation approaches (at each sample) may include: DSRC messages from roadside transmitters (RSTs), such as: how long it takes for a DSRC signal from one or more fixed RSTs to reach the vehicle and comparison of that information with vehicle position estimates from a signal propagation model, which is based on how long it takes a DSRC signal to reach the vehicle GPS location from a fixed known RST location. From such measurements, it can be determined how much longer (or shorter) it takes to receive the RST message compared to the previous sample, which, in turn, gives an idea how far the vehicle has moved over a sample relative to a fixed RST location.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a visual display to be viewed by a vehicle occupant. At least one drone includes a camera. A controller is configured to receive images from the camera on the at least one drone and generate an overhead view of the vehicle based on the images received from the at least one drone and display the overhead view on the visual display.