Abstract: Embodiments include an electric vehicle charging station having a bi-directional charger electrically coupled to an electric grid and to one or more renewable energy sources, an energy storage device electrically connected to the bi-directional charger, and a processing system configured to control an operation of the bi-directional charger. The processing system is configured to monitor a state-of-charge of the energy storage device, calculate an estimated power demand on the electric vehicle charging station for a time period, calculate an estimated power generation of the one or more renewable energy sources during the time period, and responsively control the bi-directional charger.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a personal thermal device. The personal thermal device provides heating or cooling to an individual occupant of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller implementing reinforcement learning to control the personal thermal device. The controller obtains states, from one or more sensors, indicating current conditions, to obtain a score that is determined according to the states and that represents a reward used in the reinforcement learning. The controller provides a stochastic policy indicating a probability of taking a particular action to control the personal thermal device based on the score acting as a feedback for feedback control of the personal thermal device using the reinforcement learning.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic control unit (ECU) to minimize risk of environmental intrusion includes a base portion, a first housing, a second housing, a first gasket, a vibration attenuating insert, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a tether. The first housing is sealably assembled onto the base portion, and the first housing and the base portion define a first chamber to house the telematics module. The second housing and the base portion define a second chamber. The tether attaches the base portion and the second housing.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic control unit (ECU) to minimize risk of environmental intrusion includes a base portion, a first housing, a second housing, a first gasket, a vibration attenuating insert, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a tether. The first housing is sealably assembled onto the base portion, and the first housing and the base portion define a first chamber to house the telematics module. The second housing and the base portion define a second chamber. The tether attaches the base portion and the second housing.

Abstract: A utility vehicle including a housing configured for storing goods therein during transport. A handlebar extends into a chassis sleeve defined by a chassis. The handlebar is slidably moveable forward and backward within the chassis sleeve. A sensor includes a flexible member having a first end mounted to the chassis sleeve and a second end mounted to the handlebar. The sensor is configured to sense a magnitude and a direction of a force exerted on the handlebar by an operator. A control module is in communication with the sensor and a motor. The control module is configured to control motor speed and motor direction of the motor based on the magnitude and the direction of the force exerted on the handlebar by the operator as sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A system for vehicle Bluetooth pairing is provided. The system includes a smartphone configured for Bluetooth communication. The system further includes a vehicle including a computerized pairing operation controller configured for Bluetooth communication. The computerized pairing operation controller includes programming to emit a notification signal detectable by the smartphone. The smartphone includes programming to establish proximity to the vehicle based upon the notification signal and establish a Bluetooth low energy connection to the vehicle based upon establishing the proximity. The computerizing pairing operation controller further includes programming to automatically set up a Bluetooth connection after the Bluetooth low energy connection is established.

Abstract: A display device include a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer and a spacer arranged between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer to define a first region and a second region. A first plurality of electrodes are arranged on an inner surface of the first transparent layer in the first region. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are connected to the first plurality of electrodes in the first region. A second plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the first transparent layer in the second region. A third plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the second transparent layer in the second region. Particles are arranged in the second region between the second plurality of electrodes and the third plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A system for context-based adaptive virtual experience control in a vehicle is provided. The system includes an output device configured for providing a sensory output to a user of the vehicle and a computerized virtual experience control module configured for controlling the output device based upon a virtual experience mode. The system further includes a computerized context-based adaptive control module configured for monitoring contextual data related to one of the user of the vehicle or operation of the vehicle, monitoring feedback from the user related to one of favor or disfavor related to the virtual experience mode, and utilizing the contextual data and the feedback from the user to selectively, automatically command activation of the virtual experience mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring seatbelt usage by an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes, by a processor: receiving sensor data generated by at least one sensing device of the vehicle, determining a seatbelt gaming activity has occurred based on the sensor data, wherein the seatbelt gaming activity occurs when a seatbelt of the vehicle is latched while the occupant is not secured to a corresponding seat with the seatbelt, performing a persistence check to compare a frequency of the seatbelt gaming activity over a period of time to a minimum seatbelt gaming activity threshold, determining a classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant based on the persistence check, and generating record data that includes the classification of seatbelt gaming activity attributed to the occupant.

Abstract: A smart glass display includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer, a display layer, an auto-shading layer and a control module. The display layer is disposed between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and includes an array of light emitting diodes and at least one ambient light sensor. The at least one ambient light sensor is configured to detect a level of ambient light at the display layer. The auto-shading layer includes suspended particle devices each of which configured to selectively provide different levels of transparency. The control module is configured to, based on an output of the at least one ambient light sensor, adjust a transparency level of at least a portion of the auto-shading layer.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a personal thermal device. The personal thermal device provides heating or cooling to an individual occupant of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller implementing reinforcement learning to control the personal thermal device. The controller obtains states, from one or more sensors, indicating current conditions, to obtain a score that is determined according to the states and that represents a reward used in the reinforcement learning. The controller provides a stochastic policy indicating a probability of taking a particular action to control the personal thermal device based on the score acting as a feedback for feedback control of the personal thermal device using the reinforcement learning.

Abstract: A system for context-based adaptive virtual experience control in a vehicle is provided. The system includes an output device configured for providing a sensory output to a user of the vehicle and a computerized virtual experience control module configured for controlling the output device based upon a virtual experience mode. The system further includes a computerized context-based adaptive control module configured for monitoring contextual data related to one of the user of the vehicle or operation of the vehicle, monitoring feedback from the user related to one of favor or disfavor related to the virtual experience mode, and utilizing the contextual data and the feedback from the user to selectively, automatically command activation of the virtual experience mode.

Abstract: A display device include a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer and a spacer arranged between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer to define a first region and a second region. A first plurality of electrodes are arranged on an inner surface of the first transparent layer in the first region. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are connected to the first plurality of electrodes in the first region. A second plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the first transparent layer in the second region. A third plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the second transparent layer in the second region. Particles are arranged in the second region between the second plurality of electrodes and the third plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are provided of a backend server communicating with vehicles equipped with an ePallet to identify delivery damage-causing events by a processor communicating with delivery vehicles with an ePallets in a transport of a package in delivery to customers; receiving location to identify locations that exhibit a likelihood to cause damage to the package; determining a location that exhibits the likelihood to cause package damage by analysis of acceleration data received from a first accelerometer located with the delivery vehicle and a second accelerometer located with the ePallet; compiling a set of events based on acceleration data from the first and second accelerometer indicative of an ePallet's movement desynced to a delivery vehicle's movement that can cause package damage; and notifying the delivery vehicle of an event likely causing package damage so the delivery vehicle can re-route navigation of the package delivery to prevent package damage.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for finding a distressed vehicle operated by a first user located in an urban area includes providing a first mobile device of a first user. The first mobile device is electronically connected to a wireless communication network, and the first user is in possession of a vehicle. An event is detected that has occurred to the vehicle and a severity level of the event. When the severity level of the event is above a threshold it is determine that the event was sufficient enough to warrant an emergency response. A current position is determined of the first mobile device of the first user. A second mobile device of a second user is searched for within a first distance of the current position of the first mobile device. A first notification is communicated to the second user via the second mobile device.

Abstract: A method for finding a distressed vehicle operated by a first user located in an urban area includes providing a first mobile device of a first user. The first mobile device is electronically connected to a wireless communication network, and the first user is in possession of a vehicle. An event is detected that has occurred to the vehicle and a severity level of the event. When the severity level of the event is above a threshold it is determine that the event was sufficient enough to warrant an emergency response. A current position is determined of the first mobile device of the first user. A second mobile device of a second user is searched for within a first distance of the current position of the first mobile device. A first notification is communicated to the second user via the second mobile device.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a human machine interface (HMI) display includes: collecting customer location data from a personal communication device and from sensor signals from a sensor mounted on an automobile vehicle as a customer approaches the vehicle; determining if the customer is within one of a first distance range of the vehicle, a second distance range closer to the vehicle than the first distance range, or a third distance range closer than the second distance range; and setting an illumination level of an HMI display of the vehicle based on the distance range, wherein the illumination level is set to: a high brightness if the customer is within the first distance range, a medium brightness less than the high brightness if the customer is within the second distance range; or a low brightness less than the medium brightness if the customer is within the third distance range.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light emitting diode (LED) display includes providing a template having keyed holes disposed in the template, depositing keyed LED's onto the template manipulating the keyed LED's such that each of the keyed LED's fits within a corresponding keyed hole in the template, and transferring the keyed LED's onto a circuit board.