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.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a temperature of a battery of a vehicle. The battery management system includes a battery for storing and distributing an electrical charge. The battery management system includes a temperature for measuring or detecting a temperature of the battery. The battery management system includes one or more temperature control devices for controlling the temperature of the battery. The battery management system includes an electronic control unit configured to obtain the temperature of the battery and determine whether the temperature of the battery exceeds an optimal temperature range. The electronic control unit is configured to operate the one or more temperature control devices when the temperature of the battery exceeds the optimal temperature range to adjust the temperature to be within the optimal temperature range.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sharing driver coaching data are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration or acceleration event. Driver coaching data may be determined with the goal of increasing operating efficiency, such as recouping energy while operating a vehicle that can recapture energy. Coaching cues are provided to the driver so that the vehicle can be operated in a way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. Driver coaching data can also be shared. For example, an estimated operating efficiency that is associated with previously operating a first vehicle based on previous coaching data can be compared to a measured operating efficiency associated with currently operation a second vehicle. Based on the comparison, coaching cues may be presented to the drive of the second vehicle without the second vehicle having to perform its own learning process for the driver coaching function.

Abstract: A method for an assist mode in a motorized vehicle includes receiving signals from a plurality of vehicle sensors monitoring respective conditions of the vehicle; an assist mode circuit determining whether a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced by the vehicle using information in the signals received from at least one of the plurality of vehicle sensors; activating an assist mode of the vehicle if the assist mode circuit determines that a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced, wherein the assist mode alters vehicle drive train characteristics.

Abstract: A system for increasing efficiency of a current vehicle includes a power source designed to generate power to propel the current vehicle and a distance sensor designed to detect multiple distance measurements each corresponding to a distance from the current vehicle to a reference vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the power source and the distance sensor and designed to determine an acceleration or deceleration rate of the reference vehicle based on the multiple distance measurements. The ECU is also designed to predict a forthcoming acceleration or deceleration rate of the current vehicle based on the determined acceleration rate or the determined deceleration rate of the reference vehicle. The ECU is also designed to change operation of the power source to increase efficiency of the power source based on the predicted forthcoming acceleration or deceleration rate of the current vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sharing driver coaching data are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration event. With the goal of increasing recouped energy while operating a vehicle that can recapture energy in a battery, driver coaching systems predict when the vehicle 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 vehicle can be operated in a way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. By sharing driver coaching data, the amount of learning time/resources spent by other vehicles can be reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for altering the default operation of traffic signals, e.g., static cycling of lights, based on one or more road conditions and/or operating characteristics of vehicles at or near an intersection at which the traffic signals are located. The timing of light changes in traffic signals can be altered based upon a desire to optimize fuel efficiency, prioritize passage of vehicles through the intersection, and/or exhibit favoritism to vehicles that are driven efficiently and/or by drivers contributing to a pay-to-pass system. Traffic signal controllers controlling traffic signals may, over time, learn traffic patterns based on gathered information regarding the operating characteristics of vehicles and/or road conditions.

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: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a temperature of a battery of a vehicle. The battery management system includes a battery for storing and distributing an electrical charge. The battery management system includes a temperature for measuring or detecting a temperature of the battery. The battery management system includes one or more temperature control devices for controlling the temperature of the battery. The battery management system includes an electronic control unit configured to obtain the temperature of the battery and determine whether the temperature of the battery exceeds an optimal temperature range. The electronic control unit is configured to operate the one or more temperature control devices when the temperature of the battery exceeds the optimal temperature range to adjust the temperature to be within the optimal temperature range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for warming a battery of a vehicle. The battery is configured to power a motor of the vehicle. The system includes a vent located below the battery and within an opening in the bottom surface of the vehicle, the vent configured to be in an open state or a closed state, the opening being substantially open when the vent is in the open state and the opening being substantially covered when the vent is in the closed state. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the vent and the battery and configured to determine whether a temperature of the battery is below a threshold temperature, and cause the vent to move from the closed state to the open state when the temperature of the battery is below the threshold temperature to allow the battery to directly absorb heat radiated from the ground surface.

Abstract: A system includes a platform designed to mechanically support a plurality of personal vehicles. The system also includes a power source coupled to the platform and designed to at least one of store or generate power to propel the platform. The system also includes an actuator coupled to the platform and designed to facilitate transfer of the plurality of personal vehicles from a ground surface to the platform. The system also includes a plurality of transmitters each coupled to the platform and designed to transmit an electrical charge to an energy storage device of one of the plurality of personal vehicles. The system also includes a platform electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the power source and the plurality of transmitters and designed to control the power source to transmit at least some of the power to, the plurality of personal vehicles via the plurality of transmitters.

Abstract: A system includes a power source to generate power to propel the vehicle, and a speed sensor to detect a current speed. The system also includes a camera to detect image data corresponding to a current roadway, and a GPS sensor to detect location data corresponding to a current location of the vehicle. The system also includes an ECU. The ECU is designed to determine a target vehicle speed based on at least one of the image data or the location data. The ECU is also designed to calculate an energy-efficient acceleration pattern to accelerate the vehicle from the current speed to the target vehicle speed based on a goal to minimize energy usage of the power source. The ECU is also designed to control the power source to accelerate the vehicle from the current speed to the target vehicle speed using the energy-efficient acceleration pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods of autonomously driving a vehicle to one or more locations, or repositioning the vehicle, to achieve optimal solar exposure are provided. Operating conditions of the vehicle, environmental conditions, as well as road conditions may be considered when determining whether or not to move, relocate, or reposition the vehicle to achieve optimal solar exposure. The optimal solar exposure is that which allows a power storage device of the vehicle to be charged to a desired state of charge. Additional considerations, such as the time needed to travel to a new location(s) and return from the location(s) in time for a next use of the vehicle, may be taken into account. Any energy expenditures that may result from traveling to/from the new location(s) may also be considered.

Abstract: A system includes a speed sensor to detect a current speed, a camera to detect image data, and a GPS sensor to detect location data. The system also includes a memory to store a lookup table that maps efficient vehicle speeds to roadway speed limits. The system also includes an output device and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU determines a current speed limit of the current roadway and determines that the vehicle is within a steady speed range when the current speed of the vehicle fluctuates less than a predetermined speed threshold over a predetermined time period. The ECU also compares the current speed limit to the lookup table to determine at least one efficient vehicle speed that corresponds to the current speed limit and controls the output device to output the at least one efficient vehicle speed when the vehicle is within the steady speed range.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sharing driver coaching data are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration event. With the goal of increasing recouped energy while operating a vehicle that can recapture energy in a battery, driver coaching systems predict when the vehicle 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 vehicle can be operated in a way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. By sharing driver coaching data, the amount of learning time/resources spent by other vehicles can be reduced.

Abstract: A system for increasing fuel efficiency of a vehicle includes a power source designed to convert a fuel into power and an input device designed to receive user input corresponding to a request to operate in a constant power mode. The system further includes at least one sensor designed to detect vehicle data corresponding to a current power of the power source and a memory designed to store an upper power threshold and a lower power threshold. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that is designed to determine the current power of the power source based on the detected vehicle data and to control the power source such that the current power remains between the upper power threshold and the lower power threshold when the user input corresponds to the request to operate in the constant power mode.

Abstract: A method for an assist mode in a motorized vehicle includes receiving signals from a plurality of vehicle sensors monitoring respective conditions of the vehicle; an assist mode circuit determining whether a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced by the vehicle using information in the signals received from at least one of the plurality of vehicle sensors; activating an assist mode of the vehicle if the assist mode circuit determines that a loss-of-traction condition is being experienced, wherein the assist mode alters vehicle drive train characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for altering the default operation of traffic signals, e.g., static cycling of lights, based on one or more road conditions and/or operating characteristics of vehicles at or near an intersection at which the traffic signals are located. The timing of light changes in traffic signals can be altered based upon a desire to optimize fuel efficiency, prioritize passage of vehicles through the intersection, and/or exhibit favoritism to vehicles that are driven efficiently and/or by drivers contributing to a pay-to-pass system. Traffic signal controllers controlling traffic signals may, over time, learn traffic patterns based on gathered information regarding the operating characteristics of vehicles and/or road conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting personalized information to one or more vehicle occupants as a vehicle approaches and/or passes a road sign. Characteristics of a vehicle, e.g., operating conditions, characteristics of the one or more vehicle occupants, e.g., age, demographic, driving record, purchase history, etc. and/or road conditions, e.g., weather-related road conditions, current traffic conditions, etc., may be obtained. Information relevant to the one or more vehicle occupants based on one or more of these characteristics/conditions may presented to the one or more vehicle occupants. In scenarios where the presentation of personalized information is unwanted/unwarranted, more generalized information and/or safety warnings or recommendations can be presented.