Abstract: A storage module connects to a frame forming a door opening of a vehicle. The storage module includes a housing conforming to the door opening and extending into the compartment in an installed configuration. The storage module further includes an exterior panel disposed on a first side of the housing. The exterior panel conforms to an exterior surface of the vehicle enclosing the door opening. At least one storage compartment is disposed inside the housing and the compartment in the installed configuration. The storage compartment includes an access panel forming a portion of the exterior surface and forms a first storage volume.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes determining, via a processor disposed in communication with a sensory device disposed in an interior surface of a cargo bin of a delivery vehicle, that a first package is loaded in the cargo bin, causing to scan, via the processor, a bar code disposed on an exterior surface of the first package, causing to measure, via a RADAR sensory device disposed in the cargo bin, dimensional information associated with the first package, determining, based on the dimensional information, that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, causing to illuminate an output device indicative that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, determining, via the processor, a cargo bin door closed status and generating, via the processor, an output indicating whether the vehicle is ready for delivery.

Abstract: A pet bowl is provided that comprises a housing defining a water container, a proximity sensor located proximate to the water container, the proximity sensor having conductive circuitry comprising a first circuit made of a first metal and a second circuit made of a dissimilar second metal, and a controller processing signals received from the proximity sensor, the controller selectively switching the conductive circuitry between a first configuration operating as the proximity sensor to sense water contained in the container and a second configuration operating as a thermocouple to sense temperature proximate to the water container.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for battery life cycle prediction for a preowned electrified vehicle including receiving state of charge (SOC) and mileage data associated with the preowned electrified vehicle, providing one or more driving maneuvers to be performed by a driver, providing one or more instructions to the driver to operate power-driven accessories of the preowned electrified vehicle, collecting data representing battery usage by the driver by monitoring the driving maneuvers and the operation of power-driven accessories as performed by the driver, and responsive to the collected data representing battery usage and the SOC and mileage, providing a battery life prediction for the preowned electrified vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an exterior lighting system for a motor vehicle. An example system includes a plurality of lights configured to illuminate an area adjacent the motor vehicle, a plurality of sensors, and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the lights based on signals from the sensors. The example system includes various aspects configured to preserve energy, including reducing the polling rate of sensors corresponding to deactivated lights, increasing light intensity in proportion to the speed of detected motion, and only illuminating those lights that correspond to locations of a recognized user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a switchable glass structure supported within a vehicle and comprised of a plurality of layers. A power source is selectively applied to the switchable glass structure to change the switchable glass structure from opaque to clear. Markings are formed within at least one of the plurality of layers to identify user input areas. A control system includes a circuit configured cooperate with the power source to allow the switchable glass structure to act as a capacitive sensor such that user input to the user input areas can be sensed to change the switchable glass structure between opaque and clear modes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other things, a support configured to be connected to a power source and at least one rigid panel attached to the support. The at least one rigid panel is moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position. At least one exciter is supported on the at least one rigid panel and is configured to selectively generate sound when powered by the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, among other things, a support configured to be connected to a power source and at least one rigid panel attached to the support. The at least one rigid panel is moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position. At least one exciter is supported on the at least one rigid panel and is configured to selectively generate sound when powered by the power source.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body, a plurality of RF signal receivers located at a plurality of locations within the vehicle, a portable pet bowl configured to be transported in the vehicle body, the pet bowl including a container for holding content such as water, an RF signal transmitter located on the pet bowl for transmitting an RF signal, and a controller for processing the RF signal received by each of the plurality of RF signal receivers and determining a location of the pet bowl based on the received RF signals.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a rear gate assembly of the vehicle that includes a closure panel operable to pivot vehicle-downward from a closed position to an open position. The system also includes a support feature coupled to the closure panel and operable to move relative to the closure panel between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the open position of the closure panel, the position of the support feature in the deployed position is further vehicle-downward than the position of the support feature in the retracted position. The system also includes a sensing system of the vehicle that detects a living being proximate to the rear gate assembly. The system further includes a controller that authenticates an identity and determines a position of the living being based on data received from the sensing system and prompts movement of the support feature from the retracted position to the deployed position based on the authenticated identity and determined position of the living being.

Abstract: Self-locating charging systems are disclosed for charging electrified vehicles equipped with traction battery packs. An exemplary self-locating charging system may include a beacon dock and a mobile rover configured to move between a stowed state within a docking space of the beacon dock and a charging alignment state in the mobile rover is aligned to a vehicle receiver module of an electrified vehicle for wirelessly transferring power. The self-locating charging system may further include a control module programmed to control movement of the mobile rover along a desired travel path between the stowed state and the charging alignment state.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for use of a vehicle to conduct a site survey. An example method can include receiving navigation guidance to move a vehicle along a pre-defined path on a property for executing a site survey operation of the property. The site survey operation can include a staking procedure performed by a robotic arm attached to the vehicle, an image capture procedure performed by use of a camera in the vehicle, and/or a subterranean scanning procedure for detecting a buried object. In an example implementation, the staking procedure can include inserting at a first location on the property, a stake having affixed thereon, a barcode label. A barcode scanner can be used to read the barcode label for obtaining information associated with an object present at the first location.

Abstract: Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

Abstract: Guided driver positioning system and methods are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining gait for a user of a vehicle from images obtained from a camera, the gait being indicative of a posture of the user, determining a distance between the user and a display of the vehicle, and automatically adjusting a vehicle component in response to the gait and the distance to change a user position relative to the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and providing towing acceleration assistance between towing vehicles and towed vehicles during vehicle towing events are disclosed. The towing acceleration assistance may be provided by the towed vehicle in the form of an assistive propulsive torque to assist the towing vehicle with acceleration during the towing event when one or more vehicle conditions indicate a need for the towing acceleration assistance. The towing acceleration assistance may end when the one or more vehicle conditions no longer indicate the need for the towing acceleration assistance.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for trailers with adjustable batteries are disclosed herein. An example trailer disclosed herein includes a platform, a battery disposed at a first location relative to the platform, a drive to move the battery relative to the platform, and a controller to determine a first load distribution on the platform and in response to determining the first load distribution on the platform does not satisfy a first threshold, adjust a position of the battery, via the drive, to a second location relative to the platform.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus used to send sound exterior to the vehicle to a location on the interior of a vehicle which corresponds with the sound’s external location. The apparatus adjusts for gain by frequency and shifts frequencies of the audio signals received exterior to the vehicle to generate a modified audio signal. The adjustments include compensation for hearing loss, compensation for audio in the interior of the vehicle, and attenuation adjustments for unwanted exterior noise. The modified audio signal is generated by filtering unwanted audio from the exterior audio, adjusting for gain by frequency and shifting/compressing frequencies according to hearing deficiencies, and adjusting for gain by frequency according to audio in the interior of the vehicle. The modified audio signal may be limited to a maximum gain and then amplified in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a monitoring service for a pedestrian. In an example method, a request for activation of a monitoring service can be received. The request can include a present location and a destination. Upon receiving the request for activation of the monitoring service, a travel route can be determined from the present location to the destination. As a traveler travels along the travel route, each of one or more vehicles along the travel route may be activated. Each of the one or more vehicles can be configured to stream at least one video feed when the traveler is proximate to the each of the one or more vehicles. The monitoring service can be terminated when the traveler has reached the destination.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo utilization control system includes a processor disposed in a vehicle controller and a memory for storing executable instructions. The processor is programmed to execute the instructions to receive identity information associated with a vehicle user from a mobile device and vehicle sensory devices, and determine identity of the vehicle user. The system receives receive anthropometry information, and entry and exit data associated with the vehicle user that can indicate mobility limitations or special uses of the vehicle cargo hold that have been observed and recorded by the system. The processor may determine a vehicle recommendation based on the identity of the vehicle user and the anthropometry information, and cause a vehicle configuration change that modifies a vehicle system based on the unique user identity, mobility limitations, and predicted use of the vehicle.