Abstract: A method for automated vehicle driving control in a platoon includes obtaining first operational parameters of a first vehicle, including at least a first measured braking performance of the first vehicle, obtaining second operational parameters of a second vehicle, including at least a first measured braking performance of the second vehicle, determining a platoon sequence according to the operational parameters by assigning whichever of the first vehicle and the second vehicle that has a lesser measured braking performance as a lead vehicle in the platoon sequence, and assigning the other of the first vehicle and the second vehicle as a follower vehicle in the platoon sequence, initiating a platoon sequence driving route, and controlling automated driving of the follower vehicle according to tracking of the lead vehicle, wherein the automated driving includes automated steering control, automated acceleration and automated braking based on tracked movement of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, vehicle systems, and vehicles are provided that are capable of managing communication between a vehicle and a portable energy source (PES) coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle systems include a vehicle battery configured to provide electrical power to a propulsion system of the vehicle and a vehicle controller that is configured to establish two-way data communication between the vehicle controller and a PES controller of the PES, determine an energy transfer mode for transferring electrical power between the vehicle battery and a PES battery of the PES, initiate electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery in accordance with the energy transfer mode while the vehicle is being propelled by the propulsion system, receive a status of the PES battery from the PES controller, and adjust the electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery based on the status.

Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed and includes: a transceiver; a vehicle module configured to execute a supervised partially autonomous application (SPAA) at a vehicle; a user interface system configured to receive an input from a user to initiate a supervised remote mode for user presence control during execution of the SPAA; and a user presence module configured, until SPAA operations are ceased or completed, to perform a user presence process including iteratively i) transmitting a challenge request signal from the vehicle to a mobile smart device via the transceiver, ii) based on the challenge request signal, receiving a response signal from the mobile smart device indicating a user response provided to the mobile smart device, iii) based on the response signal, confirming user presence and whether the user response is valid for continued execution of operations of the SPAA, and iv) based on validation of the user response, performing a next operation of the SPAA.

Abstract: Systems are provided for assisting in towing a trailer by a lead vehicle. A wheeled tow assist unit couples between the lead vehicle and the trailer. A drive unit onboard the tow assist unit drives the wheels in response to a force between the trailer and the tow assist unit. The tow assist unit bears at least a portion of the force required to tow the trailer.

Abstract: Systems are provided for assisting in towing a trailer by a lead vehicle. A wheeled tow assist unit couples between the lead vehicle and the trailer. A drive unit onboard the tow assist unit drives the wheels in response to a force between the trailer and the tow assist unit. The tow assist unit bears at least a portion of the force required to tow the trailer.

Abstract: An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.

Abstract: A smart trailer coupler system includes a ball mount connectable to a vehicle, a hitch ball mechanically connected to the ball mount, a coupler selectively connectable to the hitch ball, and at least one sensor mounted to one of the ball mount, the hitch ball and the coupler. The at least one sensor detects a size compatibility between the coupler and the hitch ball. A signal system is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The signal system provides at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert of the size compatibility between the hitch ball and the coupler.

Abstract: A camera control system of a vehicle comprises a plurality of sensors configured to determine vehicle data and a camera control module configured to receive the vehicle data from the plurality of sensors. The camera control module is further configured to one of: i) adjust at least one operating parameter of the camera based on vehicle movement data received from the plurality of sensors; or ii) adjust at least one operating parameter of the camera based on light level data received from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically controlling a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an actuator configured to control one or more vehicle driving characteristics, at least one vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, a remote assistant in communication with the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator, the at least one vehicle sensor, and the remote assistant, the controller being programmed with an automated driving system control algorithm and configured to determine whether a failsafe condition has occurred based on sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor, receive a control signal from the remote assistant, and automatically control the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: A smart trailer coupler system includes a ball mount connectable to a vehicle, a hitch ball mechanically connected to the ball mount, a coupler selectively connectable to the hitch ball, and at least one sensor mounted to one of the ball mount, the hitch ball and the coupler. The at least one sensor detects a size compatibility between the coupler and the hitch ball. A signal system is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The signal system provides at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert of the size compatibility between the hitch ball and the coupler.

Abstract: A method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is disclosed. The method includes establishing a communication connection between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, receiving one or more communications from the second vehicle, determining, by the first vehicle, vehicle parameter targets based on the one or more communications, communicating the vehicle parameter targets and one or more vehicle device commands to the second vehicle, and determining at least one vehicle control signal for the second vehicle based on the vehicle parameter targets and the one or more vehicle device commands.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an estimated hitch angle module, a measured hitch angle module, a corrected hitch angle module, and at least one of a driver assist module and an actuator control module. The estimated hitch angle module estimates a hitch angle, which is an angle between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and a longitudinal axis of a trailer that is attached to the vehicle. The measured hitch angle module determines a measured hitch angle based on an input from a sensor. The corrected hitch angle module determines a corrected hitch angle based on the estimated and measured hitch angles. The driver assist module controls a user interface device to assist a driver of the vehicle based on the corrected hitch angle. The actuator control module controls an actuator of at least one of the vehicle and the trailer based on the corrected hitch angle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for predicting potential failure of wheel bearings in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value for a wheel bearing and a processor for comparing the temperature value to a threshold value. When the temperature value exceeds the threshold value, the process provides an indication to warn of the potential failure of the wheel bearing. The method includes operating the vehicle for a time period and measuring a temperature value for the wheel bearing after the time period. Next, the temperature value is compared to a threshold value for the wheel bearing. When the wheel bearing temperature value exceeds the threshold value, and indication is provided to warn of the potential failure of the wheel bearing.

Abstract: A camera control system of a vehicle comprises a plurality of sensors configured to determine vehicle data and a camera control module configured to receive the vehicle data from the plurality of sensors. The camera control module is further configured to one of: i) adjust at least one operating parameter of the camera based on vehicle movement data received from the plurality of sensors; or ii) adjust at least one operating parameter of the camera based on light level data received from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is disclosed. The method includes establishing a communication connection between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, receiving one or more communications from the second vehicle, determining, by the first vehicle, vehicle parameter targets based on the one or more communications, communicating the vehicle parameter targets and one or more vehicle device commands to the second vehicle, and determining at least one vehicle control signal for the second vehicle based on the vehicle parameter targets and the one or more vehicle device commands.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically controlling a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an actuator configured to control one or more vehicle driving characteristics, at least one vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, a remote assistant in communication with the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator, the at least one vehicle sensor, and the remote assistant, the controller being programmed with an automated driving system control algorithm and configured to determine whether a failsafe condition has occurred based on sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor, receive a control signal from the remote assistant, and automatically control the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering input device having a nominal setting, a sensor configured to detect a presence of a trailer towed by the vehicle, and a controller in electronic communication with the steering input device and the sensor. The controller is configured to communicate with a towed trailer. The controller is programmed to, in response to the sensor detecting a presence of a towed trailer and the steering input device being within a predetermined range of the nominal setting, automatically communicate a braking command to the towed trailer to maintain a nominal articulation angle between the trailer and the vehicle.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an expected trajectory module and an electronic display. The expected trajectory module determines an expected forward drive trajectory of a vehicle and determines an expected forward drive trajectory of a trailer being towed by the vehicle. The electronic display displays the expected forward drive trajectories of the vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling braking for a trailer that is connected to a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a trailer includes a connector, a parking brake, an actuator, and a processor. The connector is configured to connect the trailer to a vehicle. The parking brake is disposed onboard the trailer. The actuator is coupled to the parking brake. The processor is configured to cause the actuator to engage the parking brake in accordance with engagement instructions provided from the vehicle to the trailer.