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.

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: An active air dam notification method includes, among other things, transitioning an air dam of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, and providing an alert to a user. The alert indicates that the air dam is transitioning. The air dam is vertically higher when the air dam is in the first position than when the air dam is in the second position.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) execute a battery charging operation. In an example method, a processor of a battery charging advisory system in a BEV obtains information about a battery charging lot and evaluates the information to identify a battery charging station having a first charging cable that includes a first type of plug which is compatible for coupling to a charging port of the BEV. The processor may then identify a location of the charging port on the BEV and uses this information to determine an orientation of the BEV with respect to the battery charging station. The processor then provides an advisory for maneuvering the BEV into a position that allows coupling of the first charging cable of the battery charging station to the charging port of the BEV.

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 smartphone, smart device, 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: 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: 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: This disclosure describes vehicle climate control systems and methods for more intelligently controlling an occupant comfort level within a vehicle interior in a manner that minimizes energy usage of the vehicle. The climate control system may be automatically controlled in an economical mode (i.e., ECO mode) when certain vehicle conditions are met. For example, the decision to activate the ECO mode of the climate control system may be a function of one or more variables including, but not limited to, vehicle speed, vehicle speed differentials, ambient temperatures, temperature differentials, battery state of charge, predicted low battery state of charge, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a power take off of a vehicle are described. In one example, operation of the power take off may be maintained even when slip of a power take off clutch is detected. In particular, the power take off may be operated at a lower output until the power take off may handle larger loads.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for authorizing the use of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging apparatus by a short-term renter. In an example method, a processor provides an authorization for use of a BEV charging apparatus by a first individual. The BEV charging apparatus is located on the premises of a building. The processor further enables access to the BEV charging apparatus over a designated period of time for use by the first individual and configures a first lock to prevent unauthorized entry by the first individual into a first portion of the building. In one scenario, the first individual is a short-term renter, the BEV charging apparatus is located in a garage of the building, the first portion of the building is a first room of the building, and the first lock is installed in a door leading into the first room of the building.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is disclosed that includes a screen assembly mountable within an opening and a motor operable to move a movable window to engage the screen assembly and hold the screen assembly within the opening. A controller is provided that is configured to operate the motor to apply a desired force against the screen assembly with the movable window to hold the screen assembly within the opening.

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 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: 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: A vehicle window assembly is disclosed that includes a screen assembly mountable within an opening and a motor operable to move a movable window to engage the screen assembly and hold the screen assembly within the opening. A controller is provided that is configured to operate the motor to apply a desired force against the screen assembly with the movable window to hold the screen assembly within the opening.

Abstract: A load balance system including first and second load indicators visible outside of a vehicle having a bed, first and second load sensors configured to sense respective first and second load weights in respective first and second bed areas. The load balance system includes a controller in communication with the first and second load sensors and the first and second load indicators. The controller is configured to activate the first and second load indicators to generate the same first and second outputs in response to detection of respective first and second load weights that are less than a predetermined threshold value. The controller is configured to activate the first and second load indicators to generate different first and second outputs in response to the detection of respective first and second load weights when one of the first and the second load weights is above the predetermined threshold value.

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: 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 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.