Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods for assisting a driver of a vehicle that include monitoring the driver’s actions, during a first portion of time that starts when the driver begins to engage in a surveillance type action and ends when the driver ends the surveillance type action, activating one or more feedback devices, when the driver engages in a surveillance type action, monitoring the driver’s actions during a second portion of time that beings when the driver ends the surveillance type action, and ends when the driver begins the surveillance type action, and activating one or more feedback devices, during the second portion of time when the driver engages in a driving maneuver and fails to engage in the surveillance type action.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the loading or unloading of cargo in a cargo area is provided. Friction-reducing elements, such as rails, may be disposed atop a surface of the cargo area. The friction-reducing elements vibrate pursuant to the application of vibrational energy generated by one or more vibration actuators operatively connected, directly or indirectly, to the friction-reducing elements. The application of vibrational energy reduces the time that cargo contacts the friction-reducing elements, which in turn, reduces the amount of friction applied to the cargo, easing the burden of loading/unloading the cargo.

Abstract: A performance enhancement system for an electric vehicle includes a battery pack, a pump system, and a control module. The battery pack contains electrolyte fluid, and the pump system is operable to redistribute the electrolyte fluid within the battery pack. The control module may be configured to identify a vehicle usage event. The vehicle usage event may be a payload event, a pitching event, a rolling event, and/or a yawing event. In response to identifying the vehicle usage event, the control module may be configured to operate the pump system to redistribute the electrolyte fluid within the battery pack to change a static center of mass of the vehicle, a dynamic center of mass of the vehicle, and/or a moment of inertia of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving a contact condition between a charging cable and a charging port. A charging cable may be plugged into a charging power to charge an electrical device. A charging cable may include a plug which may mate with prongs of a charging port. The plug may include sensors and a vibrator. The sensors may detect when a user intends to plug the charging cable into the charging port. Upon detection of intent to plug the charging cable into the charging port. The vibrator may be activated and may vibrate the plug. The vibration may generate relative movement between the prongs of the charging port and the plug. The movement may release dirt, dust, and corrosive materials from the charging port and plug, resulting in increased cleanliness. The movement may also assist in forming a more secure connection between the charging cable and plug.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing an object on a surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a subset of detents in a plurality of detents disposed within a vehicle surface of a vehicle based upon sensor data generated by internal sensors of the vehicle, wherein the sensor data is indicative of dimensions of an object located on the vehicle surface. The method further includes transmiting a signal to an actuator of the vehicle, wherein the signal causes the actuator to extend the subset of detents from a non-extended position to an extended position, and wherein the subset of detents conforms to the dimensions of the object when the subset of detents is in the extended position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a vehicle system when the vehicle system is under control of a user. In one embodiment, a method includes predicting a start of a user sneezing episode. The method includes identifying a plurality of phases in the user sneezing episode, and controlling the vehicle system based on which one of the plurality of phases is active.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to communicating a blending parameter. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a blending parameter that is indicative of a degree to which control of a vehicle is shared between an operator of the vehicle and an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a feedback parameter based upon the blending parameter and a psychophysical model, wherein the psychophysical model optimizes a relationship between the blending parameter and the feedback parameter such that sensory feedback based upon the feedback parameter is perceived to be proportional to the blending parameter. The method further includes causing a feedback modality of a steering apparatus of the vehicle to provide the sensory feedback based upon the feedback parameter.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adjusting a vehicle display that occludes a view of an operator in response to identifying a risk. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to determining a vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode, displaying content on at least one display within the vehicle that occludes a field-of-view (FOV) of an operator through a window of the vehicle. The method includes analyzing sensor data from at least one sensor of the vehicle to identify a risk associated with a path of the vehicle. The method includes, in response to determining the risk satisfies a risk threshold, adjusting display of the content associated with the display occluding the FOV.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preventing headwind debris from collecting on travel direction-facing housing surfaces of a vehicle by creating protective “air cushions” in front of the travel direction-facing housing surfaces. These air cushions may divert headwind air away from the travel direction-facing housing surfaces, ensuring that headwind debris does not collect on them. Examples may create these protective air cushions by propelling high pressure air through perforated surfaces in a contrary direction to headwind.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for communicating a blending parameter via tactile feedback at a driver's seat of a vehicle (examples of tactile feedback may comprise vibrations and temperature/heat applied through the driver's seat). The blending parameter may represent the ratio between the driver's level of authority and an autonomous driving system's level of authority in performing a driving task (e.g., lateral steering). By communicating changes to a blending parameter over time, examples can help a driver form a mental picture of how the vehicle/autonomous driving system is operating. This feedback/understanding may by advantageous for various purposes such as driver coaching and helping drivers become more comfortable with autonomous driving systems.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to generating a response of a vehicle to a virtual rumble strip. In one embodiment, a method includes determine that a virtual boundary corresponding to a real-world location in proximity of a vehicle has been crossed as the vehicle travels based upon first sensor data generated by the vehicle. The method further includes determine information about an environment of the vehicle as the virtual boundary is crossed based upon second sensor data generated by the vehicle. The method also includes activate an actuator of a seat of the vehicle such that haptic feedback is delivered to the seat, wherein the haptic feedback is based upon the information about the environment and a type of a virtual rumble strip.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing visual cues on a steering apparatus of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a difference between a current angle of a steering apparatus of a vehicle and a recommended angle of the steering apparatus. The method further includes illuminating a region of a grip of the steering apparatus based upon the difference and a position of a hand of an operator of the vehicle on the grip. The method additionally includes unilluminating the region as the steering apparatus is rotated from the current angle to the recommended angle.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin (A), a polyarylene ether modified with a functional group (B), a coupling agent (C), and carbon fibers (D).

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to remotely assisting an operator that is impaired using alerts from a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a first vehicle using a communications network, assistance information about an operator and a second vehicle near the first vehicle, wherein the assistance information indicates a state of the operator and a position of the second vehicle. The method also includes, upon approving an action according to the state and the position, selecting an alert that changes the state according to the position and attributes determined according to sensor data of the first vehicle. The method also includes activating the alert by the first vehicle.

Abstract: A tool transport system equipped with a tool storage portion that does not depend on the tool standard is awaited. The tool transport system includes a plurality of machine tools, and a tool storage portion having a plurality of holding parts. Each of the plurality of holding parts has a common holding mechanism capable of holding any of a plurality of tool holders. The tool transport system includes a transport device. A first tool holder of the plurality of tool holders has a common connection mechanism, and a first attachment mechanism. A second tool holder of the plurality of tool holders has the common connection mechanism, and a second attachment mechanism to which a second tool to be used in a second machine tool of the plurality of machine tools is attachable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved and intuitive adjustment of a vehicle headrest. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may include touch sensors and/or motion sensors to determine a driver or passenger intends to adjust a vehicle headrest. Upon detection of touch consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest and/or a hand gesture consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest, a system may unlock a vehicle headrest. A driver or passenger may move the unlocked vehicle headrest into the desired position. Upon detection of a condition indicating the driver or passenger is finished and/or upon a set period of time elapsing, the system may re-lock the vehicle headrest into place. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may also include a power-assist function. The power-assist function may include motors and force sensors to assist a driver or passenger in moving a vehicle headrest into a desired position.

Abstract: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely a center indicator on a decouplable steering wheel that is visible to the driver. The center indication controls provide a center indicator for a temporarily decouplable steering wheel, where the center indicator is visibly generated on the steering wheel. A system includes center indicator devices that are disposed along a perimeter on a steering wheel. A controller determines a position on the steering wheel that corresponds to a center position, and selects one of the plurality of center indicator devices at the determined center position on the steering wheel. The selected center indicator device produces feedback to the driver to indicate the center position on the steering wheel. Feedback from the center indicator allows drivers to be better aware of the steering wheel's position and to make safe and/or accurate maneuvers until the steering wheel is properly recoupled.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adapting notifications according to monitoring states of a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data associated with an operator of a vehicle. The method also includes determining an operator state from the sensor data. The method also includes computing a difference of the operator state to a parameter associated with monitoring a component in the vehicle. The method also includes adapting a notification associated with the component by a controller according to the difference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving driver attention awareness are disclosed herein. One embodiment monitors the attention status of the driver of a vehicle; detects, based on the monitoring, the commencement of a distracted-driving incident; records, during the distracted-driving incident, information pertaining to the distracted-driving incident; detects, based on the monitoring, the end of the distracted-driving incident; and reports, at the earliest opportunity after the end of the distracted-driving incident and prior to the conclusion of the current trip, the information to the driver.

Abstract: Deformable sensors and methods for modifying membrane stiffness through magnetic attraction are provided. A deformable sensor may include a membrane coupled to a housing to form a sensor cavity. The deformable sensor may further include magnetically-attractable particles located on or within the membrane. The deformable sensor may additionally include a magnetic object located at a base within the sensor cavity. The magnetic object may be configured to modifiably attract the magnetically-attractable particles and modify stiffness of the deformable sensor by modifying air pressure within the sensor cavity, based on modifiable strength of the magnetic object to attract the magnetically-attractable particles.