Abstract: An embodiment method for automatized selection and documentation of personal highlights during journeys with a vehicle includes capturing journey data during a journey of the vehicle, the journey data including audio, image, or video data taken of an interior or an exterior of the vehicle, storing selected aspects of the journey data to a non-transient data storage in response to a trigger criteria being met during the journey in an associated driving situation, and generating a selection of personal journey highlights based on the selected aspects stored during the journey for presentation during or after the journey.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an opening for delivering a shipment into a loading space of a vehicle, as well as a corresponding vehicle and a method for delivering a shipment into a vehicle, include a controller arranged and configured to calculate a first length of the opening based on received and/or determined dimensions of the shipment and further based on an area of the opening configured to receive the shipment through the opening in the loading space of the vehicle. An actuator is arranged and configured to move a first element of the vehicle relative to a second element of the vehicle by the calculated first length of the opening in order to provide the exactly necessary opening.

Abstract: A cargo detection system for detecting overhanging cargo on a motor vehicle comprises a sensor system configured to provide cargo measurement data for cargo loaded onto the motor vehicle by measuring at least one of exterior dimensions of cargo protruding over an outer edge of the motor vehicle and an opening condition of a tailgate of the motor vehicle. The system further comprises a control device configured to assess, based on the cargo measurement data of the sensor system, whether cargo is overhanging from the motor vehicle and to calculate an updated vehicle length and/or vehicle width for the motor vehicle accounting for the overhanging cargo.

Abstract: A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for providing privacy protection in preparation for a phone call between a vehicle occupant of a vehicle and a remote conversation partner is provided. The method includes detecting, by an occupant detection system of the vehicle, additional listeners inside the vehicle. The method further includes receiving a call request with a telecommunication system in the vehicle for a phone call between the vehicle occupant and the remote conversation partner, the phone call being an outgoing call or an incoming call. The method further includes sending a notification to the remote conversation partner with the telecommunication system prior to establishment of the requested phone call informing the remote conversation partner about the presence of detected additional listeners.

Abstract: A method can be used for adaptive parking of a vehicle. A parking area is determined around a programmed destination of the vehicle. The parking area has more than one available parking spot for the vehicle. Parking data is acquired via a wireless communication network. The parking data for each parked vehicle includes a parking position and an individual sensing coverage of an environment sensor system of the respective parked vehicle scanning the traffic environment within the parking area. Available parking spots are ranked based on a calculated overall sensing coverage and a recommended parking spot is determined among the available parking spots based on overall sensing coverage of the traffic environment in the parking area.

Abstract: A cargo detection system for detecting overhanging cargo on a motor vehicle comprises a sensor system configured to provide cargo measurement data for cargo loaded onto the motor vehicle by measuring at least one of exterior dimensions of cargo protruding over an outer edge of the motor vehicle and an opening condition of a tailgate of the motor vehicle. The system further comprises a control device configured to assess, based on the cargo measurement data of the sensor system, whether cargo is overhanging from the motor vehicle and to calculate an updated vehicle length and/or vehicle width for the motor vehicle accounting for the overhanging cargo.

Abstract: A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.

Abstract: A method for at least partially unblocking a field of view of a motor vehicle. The method includes: locating, by a sensor system of the motor vehicle, other vehicles on a present lane of the motor vehicle in at least one of a front space of the motor vehicle and a rear space of the motor vehicle; determining, by a determination unit of the motor vehicle, if at least one of the other vehicles at least partially blocks the field of view of the motor vehicle on the present lane; deciding, by a decision unit of the motor vehicle, if a driving situation requires reducing a blocking of the field of view; and communicating, by a communication device of the motor vehicle, when the blocking of the field of view is to be reduced, a request to the other vehicles at least partially blocking the field of view of the motor vehicle to maneuver within the present lane to reduce the blocking of the field of view of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method can be used for adaptive parking of a vehicle. A parking area is determined around a programmed destination of the vehicle. The parking area has more than one available parking spot for the vehicle. Parking data is acquired via a wireless communication network. The parking data for each parked vehicle includes a parking position and an individual sensing coverage of an environment sensor system of the respective parked vehicle scanning the traffic environment within the parking area. Available parking spots are ranked based on a calculated overall sensing coverage and a recommended parking spot is determined among the available parking spots based on overall sensing coverage of the traffic environment in the parking area.

Abstract: A system for vending consumer goods in a vehicle includes a container for storing consumable units of at least one sort of consumer goods, a sensor system including at least one first sensor configured to detect removal of a consumable unit from the container by a consumer, and a computer system connected to the sensor system via a data network. The computer system includes a user database storing a user account assigned to the consumer and a service database storing a price for each consumable unit. Each user account comprises a service payment account listing services and a corresponding amount of money due for each service. The computer system is configured to retrieve from the service database a price for the removed consumable unit and to charge the service payment account of the consumer with an amount of money corresponding to the price of the removed consumable unit.

Abstract: A system for vending consumer goods in a vehicle includes a container for storing consumable units of at least one sort of consumer goods, a sensor system including at least one first sensor configured to detect removal of a consumable unit from the container by a consumer, and a computer system connected to the sensor system via a data network. The computer system includes a user database storing a user account assigned to the consumer and a service database storing a price for each consumable unit. Each user account comprises a service payment account listing services and a corresponding amount of money due for each service. The computer system is configured to retrieve from the service database a price for the removed consumable unit and to charge the service payment account of the consumer with an amount of money corresponding to the price of the removed consumable unit.

Abstract: A method for assisting bay parking maneuvers of a vehicle includes locating, by a sensor system of the vehicle, an unoccupied parking space in a bay parking area. The method includes acquiring, by the sensor system, parking data on the unoccupied parking space, the parking data including information on positions of vehicles parking laterally adjacent to the unoccupied parking space in the bay parking area. The method includes deciding, by a decision unit of the vehicle, based on the parking data, if the vehicle fits into the unoccupied parking space side-to-side with at least one of the other vehicles, wherein a predefined lateral clearance is taken into account on both lateral sides of the vehicle. The method includes providing, by a steering assistant unit of the vehicle, steering instructions for steering the vehicle into the unoccupied parking space adjacent to the respective parking vehicle in observance with the predefined lateral clearance.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an opening for delivering a shipment into a loading space of a vehicle, as well as a corresponding vehicle and a method for delivering a shipment into a vehicle, include a controller arranged and configured to calculate a first length of the opening based on received and/or determined dimensions of the shipment and further based on an area of the opening configured to receive the shipment through the opening in the loading space of the vehicle. An actuator is arranged and configured to move a first element of the vehicle relative to a second element of the vehicle by the calculated first length of the opening in order to provide the exactly necessary opening.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging cable system is provided. The system includes a charging cable assembly having an electric cable and a connector device coupled thereto. The connector device includes a connector housing and a first electric contact arrangement therein. A cable storage device stores the electric cable, and a retainer device includes a retainer housing having a first receiving opening for receiving the connector device and a socket portion arranged adjacent to the first receiving opening for receiving a DC-charging plug of a charging plug. The first receiving opening defines a cross-section corresponding to an outer contact surface of the connector housing. The connector device is positionable in a stowage position in which the connector housing is received within the first receiving opening, and in a detached position to clear the first receiving opening. The socket portion defines a second receiving opening which accommodates a second electric contact arrangement.

Abstract: A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging cable system is provided. The system includes a charging cable assembly having an electric cable and a connector device coupled thereto. The connector device includes a connector housing and a first electric contact arrangement therein. A cable storage device stores the electric cable, and a retainer device includes a retainer housing having a first receiving opening for receiving the connector device and a socket portion arranged adjacent to the first receiving opening for receiving a DC-charging plug of a charging plug. The first receiving opening defines a cross-section corresponding to an outer contact surface of the connector housing. The connector device is positionable in a stowage position in which the connector housing is received within the first receiving opening, and in a detached position to clear the first receiving opening. The socket portion defines a second receiving opening which accommodates a second electric contact arrangement.

Abstract: A system for supplying heat to an exhaust gas after-treatment system of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a heat transfer device that transfers heat generated by at least one component of an electric system of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to the exhaust gas after-treatment system of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Abstract: A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.

Abstract: A method for assisting bay parking maneuvers of a vehicle includes locating, by a sensor system of the vehicle, an unoccupied parking space in a bay parking area. The method includes acquiring, by the sensor system, parking data on the unoccupied parking space, the parking data including information on positions of vehicles parking laterally adjacent to the unoccupied parking space in the bay parking area. The method includes deciding, by a decision unit of the vehicle, based on the parking data, if the vehicle fits into the unoccupied parking space side-to-side with at least one of the other vehicles, wherein a predefined lateral clearance is taken into account on both lateral sides of the vehicle. The method includes providing, by a steering assistant unit of the vehicle, steering instructions for steering the vehicle into the unoccupied parking space adjacent to the respective parking vehicle in observance with the predefined lateral clearance.