Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a running board. In particular, a motorized running board system that improves accessibility for vehicle occupants entering or exiting a vehicle. Certain embodiments of the motorized running board system may include a running board connected via at least one motor to a vehicle and an electronic control unit that detects a contextual environment, determines a preferred running board position from the contextual environment, and adjusts the running board to reach the preferred running board position.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with an external server and a GPS network configured to provide geodetic location data. The external server being configured to provide current time data and sunset time data. The device includes: a display device configured to display a map and a modified map; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on the memory to cause the device to: receive the geodetic location data and obtain the geodetic location; receive the current time data and obtain the current time; receive the sunset time data and obtain the sunset time; determine a driving range-area based on the sunset time, the current time, and the geodetic location; and instruct the display device to display the modified map, wherein the modified map includes a modified driving-range area based on the geodetic location, the current time and the sunset time.

Abstract: A hybrid drive train includes a first electric motor, a nested power splitting planetary gear set having a first carrier element and a second carrier element, an inner sun gear coupled with the first electric motor and an outer sun gear coupled with an output shaft. A first selectable one-way clutch controls the first and the second carrier element, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. A second selectable one-way clutch controls a ring gear of the nested planetary gear set, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. The extra outer planetary gear set improves lowing capacity at higher speeds without substantially increasing the axial length of the power split device.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes a battery pack, a first elongated terminal connector, a second elongated terminal connector, and a biasing member. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells each having a terminal. The first elongated terminal having a plurality of first recesses. The second elongated terminal having plurality of second recesses. The first elongated terminal connector and the second elongated terminal connector movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The biasing member extends between the first elongated terminal and the second elongated terminal, and the biasing member biases the first elongated terminal and the second elongated terminal towards the engaged position. In the engaged position, the plurality of first recesses are engaged with the terminals of the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of second recesses are engaged with the terminals of the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes a memory. The memory is configured to store multiple charging events that activate multiple charging plans. The vehicle control system includes a navigation unit that is configured to obtain a current location of the vehicle. The vehicle control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the first charging event. The electronic control unit is configured to control an operation of the vehicle to prepare the vehicle to charge or discharge the battery based on a first charging plan when the vehicle is within the threshold distance of a first charging event.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a drive mechanism of a vehicle, that may include: a rotor comprising a ring of a plurality of magnets located about a circumference of a rim of a wheel of the vehicle, the plurality of magnets generating a first magnetic field; a stator comprising a plurality of coils, the stator mounted to a body of the vehicle, and located outside a wheel of the vehicle and proximate to an outer edge of the ring of the plurality of magnets; and wherein the plurality of coils of the stator, when energized by an AC waveform, generate a second magnetic field stator, and further wherein an interaction between the first and second magnetic fields creates an attractive force causing tractive motion of the wheel about an axis of rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for an infrastructure planning tool. The infrastructure planning tool includes a navigation unit. The navigation unit is configured to determine a location of a vehicle. The infrastructure planning tool includes a processor. The processor is configured to determine a route within an off-road real property to traverse by the vehicle using the location of the vehicle over a period of time. The processor is configured to determine or estimate an amount of energy used by the vehicle to traverse the route. The processor is configured to determine a location along the route to place critical based on the amount of energy used. The processor is configured to render, on a display, a graphical representation that includes the route, the off-road real property and the location along the route to place the critical infrastructure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a current speed of a vehicle that can operate on solar energy to increase solar energy collection. The system may include a photovoltaic (PV) panel configured to receive sunlight to drive an electric motor, a solar loading sensor configured to detect solar load, a global position system (GPS) sensor configured to detect vehicle location data, a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed, and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the electric motor, the solar loading sensor, the speed sensor, and the GPS sensor. The ECU may determine whether the vehicle is exposed to solar load greater than a predetermined threshold value and, if so, present a driver of the vehicle a minimum acceptable speed to select based on sensor data and a difference of solar energy collection between the minimum acceptable speed and the current speed.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes a plurality of battery cells and a pair of elongated connector terminal plates. Each battery cell has a terminal side and an opposite floor side. A pair of terminals extend from each of the plurality of battery cells on the terminal side. Each of the pair of elongated connector terminal plates includes an upper and a lower elongated terminal connector. The upper and lower elongated terminal connector plates of each of the pair of elongated connector terminal plates are configured to independently move between an aligned position and an engaged position such that in the engaged position the pair of elongated connector terminal plates retain the plurality of battery cells and in the aligned position the pair of elongated connector terminal plates are removed from the battery pack releasing the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a battery pack assembly. The battery pack assembly includes a housing and a plurality of battery cells. The housing includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls that define a cavity, and a pair of lids. Each lid of the pair of lids has an interior surface and each lid of the pair of lids moves between an open position and a closed position. A plurality of terminal connectors are positioned on each inner surface of each of the pair of lids. The plurality of battery cells are positioned within the cavity. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells has a pair of terminals. When each lid is in the closed position, each of the plurality of terminal connectors are communicatively coupled to a corresponding terminal of the pair of terminals of each battery cell.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer readable medium for managing recharging of a shared electric vehicle are provided. The method includes determining whether an energy storage device of the electric vehicle requires charging, identifying a charging method based on a plurality of parameters including an ambient temperature, a current state of charge, a current load, and a power estimate for a planned route, altering the planned route of the electric vehicle to enable charging based on the identified method, and charging a second energy storage device associated with a second electric vehicle during transit via the electric vehicle. The charging method includes swapping electric vehicles, exchanging the energy storage device, and charging via a charging bot.

Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for technology to identify that a transmission includes one or more of vehicle sensor data sensed by a vehicle or at least one feature identified from the vehicle sensor data. The vehicle is associated with vehicle identification data unique to the vehicle. The technology also identifies that the vehicle identification data is associated with the transmission, identifies that one or more parameters that are associated with the vehicle identification data, and adjusts at least one parameter of the identified one or more parameters.

Abstract: An autonomous workhorse vehicle includes a main body including a platform to support a plurality of objects, a tracking sensor to detect a location of the main body relative to a leading vehicle, and an input/output port to receive an identifier of the leading vehicle. The autonomous workhorse vehicle further includes a power source to provide power to propel the main body, a steering actuator designed to adjust an orientation of the main body, and an ECU. The ECU is designed to receive the identifier of the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to determine a following time to begin following the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to control the power source and the steering actuator to move the main body to follow the leading vehicle at the following time based on the detected location of the main body relative to the leading vehicle.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a driving force of a vehicle is provided. A status change of one or more components of the vehicle may be detected by a sensor. One or more models of the one or more components of the vehicle having the status change may be determined by the processing circuitry. The driving force based on the determined one or more models may be calculated by the processing circuitry. The driving force of the vehicle to reach a threshold value may be calibrated.

Abstract: A hybrid drive train includes a first electric motor, a nested power splitting planetary gear set having a first carrier element and a second carrier element, an inner sun gear coupled with the first electric motor and an outer sun gear coupled with an output shaft. A first selectable one-way clutch controls the first and the second carrier element, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. A second selectable one-way clutch controls a ring gear of the nested planetary gear set, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. The extra outer planetary gear set improves lowing capacity at higher speeds without substantially increasing the axial length of the power split device.

Abstract: A hybrid drive train includes a first electric motor, a nested power splitting planetary gear set having a first carrier element and a second carrier element, an inner sun gear coupled with the first electric motor and an outer sun gear coupled with an output shaft. A first selectable one-way clutch controls the first and the second carrier element, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. A second selectable one-way clutch controls a ring gear of the nested planetary gear set, and switches between operation as a one way clutch and operation as a brake. The extra outer planetary gear set improves towing capacity at higher speeds without substantially increasing the axial length of the power split device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a current speed of a vehicle that can operate on solar energy to increase solar energy collection. The system may include a photovoltaic (PV) panel configured to receive sunlight to drive an electric motor, a solar loading sensor configured to detect solar load, a global position system (GPS) sensor configured to detect vehicle location data, a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed, and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the electric motor, the solar loading sensor, the speed sensor, and the GPS sensor. The ECU may determine whether the vehicle is exposed to solar load greater than a predetermined threshold value and, if so, present a driver of the vehicle a minimum acceptable speed to select based on sensor data and a difference of solar energy collection between the minimum acceptable speed and the current speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for remote servicing of vehicles. A network connected servicing vehicle can include a communications component through which the vehicle: negotiate one or more service agreement for servicing a serviced vehicle; receives a location of the serviced vehicle to which the servicing vehicle travels to perform the servicing of the serviced vehicle; authenticates the presence of the servicing vehicle when proximate to the serviced vehicle; and receives one or more instructions for the servicing of the serviced vehicle at the location of the serviced vehicle. Methods can include arranging for a performance of a service on a first vehicle according to a service agreement; providing one or more instructions relating to the service to a second vehicle; and receiving a confirmation of performance of at least one aspect of the service at the location of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a driving force of a vehicle is provided. A status change of one or more components of the vehicle may be detected by a sensor. One or more models of the one or more components of the vehicle having the status change may be determined by the processing circuitry. The driving force based on the determined one or more models may be calculated by the processing circuitry. The driving force of the vehicle to reach a threshold value may be calibrated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of selective driver coaching are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration event. With the goal of increasing recouped energy while operating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), driver coaching systems predict when the HEV can begin coasting at the start of the deceleration event. In this way, the amount of time during which regenerative braking can be applied may be increased. Coaching cues are provided to the driver so that the HEV can be operated in way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. However, engaging in excessive regenerative breaking can negate its advantages if the amount needed to reaccelerate the HEV to a cruising/steady speed is too great. Selective driver coaching provides coaching cues only if the operating efficiency of the HEV exceeds the operating efficiency of the HEV when controlled by the driver without coaching cues.