Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for traction control based on friction coefficient estimation. An example vehicle includes a plurality of sensors to measure qualities of a surface of a road and an anti-lock brake system module. The anti-lock brake system module (a) estimates confidence values for different road surface types based on the qualities of the surface of the road, (b) estimates a coefficient of friction between the road and tires of the vehicle based on the confidence values, and (c) adapt a traction control system by altering a target slip based on the coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for receiving proximity characteristics at a nomadic device, the proximity characteristics including mapped obstruction data identifying locations of one or more obstructions of an area surrounding a vehicle; calculating at last one unobstructed pose orientations for establishing a secure connection between the nomadic device and the vehicle based on the proximity characteristics, the unobstructed pose orientation determined at least in part on the mapped obstruction data; and displaying the unobstructed pose orientation on the nomadic device within an array of augmented reality pose orientations on the nomadic device. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include displaying an interactive overlay as a direction to a user of the nomadic device, the interactive overlay coaching the user to locate to the at least one unobstructive pose orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes first and second wireless modules and a processor. The processor estimates a region of probability representative of possible locations of a mobile device based on a first signal strength indicator. When the region of probability overlaps a virtual boundary, the processor polls a key fob, estimates a distance of the key fob from the vehicle based on a second signal strength indicator, and when the key fob is within the virtual boundary, enable autonomous parking.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, suppress a climate control limiter that prevents an air blower of a climate control component from operating when an engine coolant temperature exceeds a temperature threshold, and actuate a motor on an air pump to introduce air external to the vehicle to the passenger cabin.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for calibrating a handheld device used for controlling a partially autonomous vehicle. An example method to calibrate the handheld device may include entering a remote-control command into the handheld device for controlling a first action performed by the partially autonomous vehicle. A time-delay associated with one or more operations executed in the handheld device in response to entering the remote-control command are then measured. The time-delay is conveyed to a cloud computing device, which evaluates the time-delay and returns a diagnostic result to the handheld device. Evaluation of the time-delay by the cloud computing device may be carried out by comparing the time-delay in the handheld device to time-delay values obtained via crowdsourcing from other handheld devices. The diagnostic result provided by the cloud computing device may be used by the handheld device for calibration purposes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for reserving a vehicle with a desired vehicle characteristic are disclosed herein. A system includes a receiver to receive a request to reserve a vehicle, wherein the request indicates a desired vehicle characteristic. The system includes a controller configured to determine a change to the vehicle that will satisfy the vehicle characteristic, and the system includes an implementation component configured to implement the change to the vehicle.

Abstract: A Remote Trailer Maneuvering (RTM) system includes a mobile device app that identifies and processes environmental information from a photo, to identify obstacles such as walls, surrounding objects, etc. When the RTM system detects a boat, a trailer, and a boat ramp, it calculates a travel distance to drive the trailer into the water for unloading the boat. The RTM system identifies obstructions, outputs information and warnings, and prompts for information and user control feedback. Once the photo is processed, the RTM system sends control instructions to an RTM controller onboard the vehicle. The vehicle may send a responsive message to the mobile device indicating that the RTM system is ready to proceed with the maneuvering function. The RTM controller maneuvers the trailer, using an autonomous vehicle controller, to the target position using the control instructions.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer backup assist system is needed to assist a driver with a procedure to backup a trailer that is connected to a vehicle. The estimation of need for assistance may be determined by an assistance model. If assistance is needed, the systems and methods provide an input to initiate a process to enable the trailer backup assist system.

Abstract: A method for identifying a trailer connection for a vehicle includes storing a plurality of connection configurations as saved configurations. The connection configurations identify a hitch compatibility of a coupler of a trailer to a hitch assembly. The method further comprises capturing image data depicting the hitch assembly and processing the image data. Based on the processing of the image data, the method further identifies a detected hitch configuration of the hitch assembly as a first hitch configuration of the saved configurations.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to remotely-controlled automated vehicle parking operations. A driver of a vehicle stands on a curb and launches a software application on a handheld device. The software application uses a camera of the handheld device to capture images of the vehicle that can be observed by the driver. The software application then attempts to obtain a visual lock between the camera and the vehicle. In some cases, obtaining the visual lock may be hampered due to adverse lighting conditions. Light may be transmitted from the handheld device to illuminate the vehicle for better image capture. Alternatively, a command can be transmitted from the handheld device to a controller in the vehicle for turning on a light in the vehicle. After obtaining visual lock, various techniques such as vehicle path prediction and interpolation, can be used for effectively tracking the vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system is provided herein. The trailer backup assist system includes a hitch angle sensor configured to determine a hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer attached thereto. An input device is configured to accept an input command corresponding to a trailer path command curvature. A controller is configured to determine a vehicle threshold speed limit by determining a first vehicle speed limit based on the hitch angle and a second speed limit based on the command curvature. The controller generates a command to limit vehicle speed in a reverse direction below the threshold speed limit.

Abstract: A remote-assist system programmed for vehicle parking assist or other remote vehicle operation features includes a selective ultrasonic beamforming Amplitude Modulated (AM) system configured and/or programmed to transmit audible alerts to a primary user via ultrasonic beamforming AM. The system localizes a mobile device that is being used by the primary user to initiate the system. The system localizes the primary user, and others in the vicinity, and determines others that may be associated with the vehicle and primary user. The system defines and reshapes a target zone to include only those associated with the primary user and the vehicle. The system electronically or mechanically steers a transducer array to steer an ultrasonic beam with an AM audio alert to the target zone, where the message is audible only to those within the target zone.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer backup assist system is needed to assist a driver with a procedure to backup a trailer that is connected to a vehicle. The estimation of need for assistance may be determined by an assistance model. If assistance is needed, the systems and methods provide an input to initiate a process to enable the trailer backup assist system.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive first input to sanitize a vehicle passenger cabin via a passenger cabin heater, output one or more candidate initiation times at which to begin actuation of the heater, and, then, actuate the heater to a temperature above a specified sanitization threshold according to the initiation time identified in a second input.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle using a mobile device includes receiving, via a user interface of the mobile device, a user input selection of a visual representation of the vehicle. The method further includes establishing a wireless connection with the vehicle for tethering with the vehicle based on the user input, determining that the mobile device is within a threshold distance limit from the vehicle, performing a line of sight verification indicative that the user is viewing an image of the vehicle via the mobile device, and causing the vehicle, via the wireless connection, to perform a remote vehicle movement control action while the mobile device is less than the threshold tethering distance from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an interface having an electromagnetic transmitter and operable to receive tactile user input for control of a system of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller configured to modulate output having ultraviolet or infrared spectrum wavelength of the electromagnetic transmitter at a receiver capture rate to encode data into the output describing the control interface. The modulated output is responsive to a request.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and at least one sensor in connection with the hitch. A controller is configured to identify a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor. In response to the force, the controller is further configured to approximate a direction of the force. Based on the direction, the controller generates instructions identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for adaptive user input boundary support for remote vehicle motion commands. The systems and methods described herein may be used to allow more flexibility in continuous inputs provided to trigger commands to a vehicle to perform an autonomous function, such as Remote Park Assist (RePA). The systems and methods may allow RePA to continue even if the continuous input is not provided in the form of a perfect circle or if the continuous input drifts gradually over time.

Abstract: A remote-assist system programmed for vehicle parking assist or other remote vehicle operation features includes a selective ultrasonic beamforming Amplitude Modulated (AM) system configured and/or programmed to transmit audible alerts to a primary user via ultrasonic beamforming AM. The system localizes a mobile device that is being used by the primary user to initiate the system. The system localizes the primary user, and others in the vicinity, and determines others that may be associated with the vehicle and primary user. The system defines and reshapes a target zone to include only those associated with the primary user and the vehicle. The system electronically or mechanically steers a transducer array to steer an ultrasonic beam with an AM audio alert to the target zone, where the message is audible only to those within the target zone.