Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a head-up display (HUD) in a vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment deactivates the HUD in response to a command from a driver of the vehicle; assigns a level of urgency to an item of information associated with a current vehicular context; and activates the HUD to display the item of information to the driver, when the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods of collaborative localization for a vehicle are provided. In particular, one or more vehicles that are able to localize themselves with high accuracy may transmit timestamped localization information (i.e. localization packets) to a nearby vehicles which lack high-accuracy localization sensors. Each localization packet may include the location of the transmitting vehicle with respect to a global reference frame. Upon receiving the localization packets, a vehicle may use radiolocation techniques to estimate its location relative to the transmitting vehicle(s). Based on this estimation and the information in the localization packets, the vehicle may then estimate its location with respect to the global reference frame with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: Displaced haptic feedback can be provided to a person providing an input on a user interface. The user interface can be operatively connected to a processor. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal from the user interface. Responsive to receiving the input signal, the processor can be further configured to cause a haptic device to be activated. The haptic device can be physically separated from the user interface. The haptic device can provides a haptic feedback to a user interacting with the user interface.

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.

Abstract: Systems and device configurations are provided for reducing misstep, such as miscommunication between a vehicle and a driver that results in applying the incorrect pedal. Vehicle pedal configurations having a positioning element are described. Embodiments include pedal configurations having a pedal pad and at least one positioning element to adjust the pedal pad in response to pedal misstep. Pedal adjustment can include rotation of a pedal pad, rotation of portions of a pedal pad, and multibody pedal pad configurations. According to embodiment, a pedal pad includes vibrational elements to control vibration of the pedal. Embodiments are also directed to a pedal configuration including a flip plate. Systems are provided including a controller to control a pedal configuration and positioning elements. The controller may control the pedal based on a driving mode, such as an assistive driving state wherein operator is instructed to apply a pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling pedal feedback to an operator and vehicle control. One embodiment of a vehicle system includes a pedal having an engagement device configured to generate a pulling force on an operator device. The vehicle system also includes a controller configured to control the engagement device to generate the pulling force on the operator device. Embodiments also provide for electromagnetic and permanent magnet engagement devices, and control of engagement devices to engage an operator with a vehicle pedal. Embodiments also provide for multiple wearable configurations of operator devices for engaging with vehicle pedals. Processes are provided for activating and deactivating engagement devices in response to vehicle driving conditions.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing visual feedback on a steering apparatus using a pscyhophysical model. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a difference between a current angle of a steering apparatus and a recommended angle of the steering apparatus. The method further includes determining an appearance parameter based upon the difference and a psychophysical model, wherein the psychophysical model optimizes a relationship between perceived light and the difference such that a change in the difference produces a proportional change in the perceived light. The method further includes illuminating a region of the steering apparatus with light based upon the appearance parameter.

Abstract: A steering wheel-based HMI system for a vehicle includes a steer-by-wire system and a control module. The steer-by-wire system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback unit mechanically connected to the steering wheel. The control module is communicatively connected to the torque feedback unit. The control module is configured to identify a communication, gather information about user securement of the steering wheel, and operate the torque feedback unit to apply a supplementary torque to the steering wheel for haptically issuing the communication through the steering wheel. The supplementary torque has a magnitude that is scaled based on the information about user securement of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods of traffic light detection/perception are provided for detecting traffic lights states and/or transitions for different traffic light layouts. Basic traffic light information can be obtained regarding, e.g., the existence of a traffic light(s) at an intersection being approached by a vehicle, and which bulb(s) may apply to/control a particular lane of traffic at the intersection. Based on that information, bulb-specific or bulbwise detection can be performed. Upon determining the existence of a traffic light, specific bulbs within or making up the traffic light can be detected, and their various states can be predicted or estimated relative to a corresponding bulb group. The various states can then be simplified and output as a message(s) upon which autonomous control of a vehicle can be based.

Abstract: A method for providing lane keeping support to enable improved one-hand operation of a vehicle is described. The method includes detecting a one-hand location of a vehicle operator on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a level of control of the vehicle operator on the steering wheel during the one-hand operation of the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting a level of compensation applied to the steering wheel to facilitate the one-hand operation of the vehicle.

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: A method for a vehicle safety is described. The method includes determining a current steering angle at which a vehicle is traveling. The method also includes displaying the current steering angle relative to a steering angle scale. The method further includes guiding an operator of the vehicle through feedback provided through a steering wheel of the vehicle while displaying the current steering angle relative to the steering angle scale.

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: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a touch-based interface that dynamically generates attractive forces to facilitate a user locating interactive features on the interface. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying an interactive location within an interface according to a current state of the interface. The method includes correlating the interactive location with attracting elements within a device displaying the interface. The method includes activating at least one corresponding element of the attracting elements to attract an interface element associated with a user to the interactive location.

Abstract: A method for vehicle eye tracking is described. The method includes capturing sensor data based on eye tracking of a vehicle operator. The method also includes identifying sensor data associated with an external environment of a vehicle within the captured sensor data. The method further includes filtering out a sensor data associated with the external environment from the captured sensor data to provide an internal vehicle sensor data. The method also includes controlling a vehicle interface based on the internal vehicle sensor data.

Abstract: A composition having a carbon material and a redox substance with a redox potential of ?0.2 (V vs. SHE) or higher and 1.5 (V vs. SHE) or lower. A composition having a carbon material that is a carbon fiber. A composition where the carbon fiber is in a form of a chopped strand, roving, textile, non-woven fabric, or unidirectional material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a head-up display (HUD) in a vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment deactivates the HUD in response to a command from a driver of the vehicle; assigns a level of urgency to an item of information associated with a current vehicular context; and activates the HUD to display the item of information to the driver, when the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A deformable sensor is provided. The deformable sensor includes a first deformable member defining a first cavity configured to be filled with a medium, a second deformable member defining a second cavity, a rigid component disposed between the first deformable member and the second deformable member such that the first deformable member is positioned on a first portion of the rigid component and the second deformable member is positioned on a second portion of the rigid component, the rigid component including an aperture disposed thereon, and a valve member configured to fluidly couple the first cavity of the first deformable member to the second cavity of the second deformable member via the aperture. The first deformable member has a first rigidity value when the valve member is configured in a first orientation, and a second rigidity value when the valve member is configured in the second orientation.