Abstract: A vehicle, an accelerator pedal system, and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The accelerator pedal system has an accelerator pedal, a pedal limit connected to a motor and movable towards and away from the accelerator pedal, wherein the pedal limit limits movement of the accelerator pedal in a first direction when the pedal limit is in contact with the accelerator pedal, and a controller configured to control the motor to move the pedal limit to a first position in contact with the accelerator pedal in response to receiving a cruise control input from a driver to maintain a selected vehicle speed without actuation of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing routes and water usage are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining calendar data for a traveler, the calendar data including trip information for a trip, determining a current water supply for the traveler, determining water generation capability of a vehicle used by the traveler for the trip, predictively determining a water estimate for the trip, determining when the water supply and the water generation capability substantially correspond to the water estimate, and providing an alert to the traveler when the water supply and the water generation capability are insufficient relative to the water estimate.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.

Abstract: A system for a water generation apparatus of a vehicle includes a sensing device that detects an environmental condition of a geographical area associated with the vehicle. A display device is configured to present a depiction of the geographical area. A controller is in communication with the sensing device and the display device. The controller is configured to determine at least one water generation estimate for the water generation apparatus based on the environmental condition and the geographical area. The controller is further configured to generate a modified representation of the geographical area based on the at least one water generation estimate and the depiction of the geographical area. The controller is further configured to communicate an instruction to present the modified representation at the display device.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle condition associated with a warning light. The processor is also configured to obtain explanatory information explaining the cause of the warning light. The processor is further configured to present the explanatory information via a vehicle display. Also, the processor is configured to present a plurality of options for further action with the explanatory information and, upon selection of one of the options, take further steps in accordance with the selection option.

Abstract: A vehicle including: (a) a water generator configured to generate water; (b) a water storage container configured to store the water that the water generator generates; (c) an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container; (d) a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted; and (e) a human-machine interface configured to issue a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the ultraviolet light emitter. The sensor can detect a wavelength range of the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The sensor can detect an intensity of the ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The vehicle further comprises a controller in communication with the ultraviolet light emitter, the sensor, and the human-machine interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to actuate a plurality of drones to first establish one or more electrical connections therebetween and then to provide a jump start to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle, an accelerator pedal system, and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The accelerator pedal system has an accelerator pedal, a pedal limit connected to a motor and movable towards and away from the accelerator pedal, wherein the pedal limit limits movement of the accelerator pedal in a first direction when the pedal limit is in contact with the accelerator pedal, and a controller configured to control the motor to move the pedal limit to a first position in contact with the accelerator pedal in response to receiving a cruise control input from a driver to maintain a selected vehicle speed without actuation of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A vehicle has a braking system including a brake pedal and a controller. The controller may cause the brake pedal to move to a predetermined position responsive to automatic application of braking torque by the braking system. The controller may further implement an update such that the predetermined position corresponds to zero braking torque.

Abstract: A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.

Abstract: A water generation system for a vehicle comprises: a first container to collect liquid water generated from the condensation of water vapor; a filter to filter the liquid water, the filter in fluid flow communication with the first container; a second container to store the liquid water that the filter filtered, the second container (i) in fluid flow communication with the filter and (ii) configured to hold a larger volume of the liquid water than the first container; and a source of ultraviolet light that, when activated, emits the ultraviolet light into at least one of the first container and the second container. The water generation system can further comprise an agitator that is configured to agitate the liquid water disposed within either the first container or the second container, and a cooling element configured to withdraw heat from the liquid water within the water generation system.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a dispenser for a liquid, the dispenser comprising an outlet for the liquid; and a source of ultraviolet light disposed to emit the ultraviolet light onto the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a first position and a second position that is different than the first position. The outlet of the dispenser is disposed closer to the source of ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position than when the dispenser is in the first position. The vehicle comprises a controller in communication with the source of the ultraviolet light. The controller causes the source of ultraviolet light to emit the ultraviolet light when the dispenser is in the second position but not when the dispenser is in the first position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A system includes an aerial drone. The aerial drone includes first and second electrically conductive end effectors. The first and second electrically conductive end effectors are electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder-to-cylinder air-fuel ratio (AFR) imbalance in engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include detecting an AFR imbalance of an engine cylinder based on an individual crankshaft acceleration of the cylinder relative to a mean crankshaft acceleration produced by all cylinders of the engine, and correcting a fuel amount of the cylinder via a fuel multiplier value, the fuel multiplier value selected from a plurality of fuel multiplier values based on an imbalance source. In this way, the AFR imbalance may be accurately detected and correcting using existing engine system sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of an exhaust gas after treatment system of a vehicle. In one example, a first group of engine cylinders is operated with a rich air-fuel ratio continuously while a second group of engine cylinders is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio continuously. The rich and lean exhaust gases from the two groups of engine cylinders may be oxidized within an exhaust gas after treatment system to improve catalyst efficiency.