Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for remote control of autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. A method may include receiving, by a device, first data indicative of an autonomous vehicle in a parking area, and determining, based on the first data, a location of the autonomous vehicle. The method may include determining, based on a the location, first image data including a representation of an object. The method may include generating second image data based on the first data and the first image data, and presenting the second image data. The method may include receiving an input associated with controlling operation of the autonomous vehicle, and controlling, based on the input, the operation of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for remote control of autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. A method may include receiving, by a device, first data indicative of an autonomous vehicle in a parking area, and determining, based on the first data, a location of the autonomous vehicle. The method may include determining, based on a the location, first image data including a representation of an object. The method may include generating second image data based on the first data and the first image data, and presenting the second image data. The method may include receiving an input associated with controlling operation of the autonomous vehicle, and controlling, based on the input, the operation of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method for making a purchase using a vehicle computing system includes receiving input to the vehicle computing system instructing order initiation. The method also includes receiving a selection at the vehicle computing system of a merchant from which to order. The method further includes receiving an order at the vehicle computing system, determining an address of the merchant to which the order was placed and providing directions to the address. These can be provided as, for example, turn by turn directions spoken and/or displayed on a nav display. Finally, the exemplary method includes processing a payment for the order.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor having a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed on the copper core, and a second layer of aluminum in the form of high-purity aluminum is disclosed. The copper core may be a solid core or may be formed from a plurality of copper strands. The layer of aluminum formed over the copper core is at least partially anodized to form an aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The layer of high-purity aluminum may be formed by evaporation deposition, sputter deposition, or co-extrusion. Once the layer of high-purity aluminum is formed, it is anodized. More than two layers of aluminum may be formed over the copper core.

Abstract: A payment reminder may be received by a payment reminder application executed by a computing device. The payment reminder may request payment of a vehicle loan associated with a registered combination of a vehicle identification number and an occupant identifier associated with the vehicle loan. The payment reminder application may verify appropriate vehicle occupants are available to receive the payment reminder, and may deliver the received payment reminder to the appropriate vehicle occupants at an appropriate time for occupant safety and privacy. The payment reminder application may also provide other types of reminders or messages targeted to the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive composite separator. The method includes providing a plurality of particles within a bulk separator material; and applying an AC electric field to the particles and the bulk separator material while the bulk separator material is in a liquid state to align the particles into at least one ionically conductive aligned particle region within the bulk separator material.

Abstract: A method of anodizing a coil comprised of wire having a copper core and a layer of a metal formed on the core is disclosed. The metal has electrically insulating characteristics when anodized. Two variations of the method are provided. In the first variation, the metal-clad wire is partially anodized prior to being wound on a spool to form a coil. Once the partially anodized wire is wound onto a spool the coiled wire is anodized to complete anodization. The anodized coiled wire may be rinsed to remove residual electrolytic material. In the second variation, the metal-clad wire is wound on a spool to form a coil. The coiled wire is then anodized. The method of the disclosed invention reduces or entirely eliminates the presence of micro cracks in the oxide layer. The resulting coil may be used in motors, electromagnets, generators, alternators and subsystems for the same.

Abstract: An ionically conductive composite separator for a rechargeable battery and methods for producing the same are provided. The separator may include a bulk material having an anode side and a cathode side and a thickness extending therebetween and a region of aligned particles extending across the bulk material thickness. The aligned particles may be formed as a particle chain and the particles may be formed of a solid electrolyte material. The ionically conductive separator may be formed by providing a plurality of particles within a bulk material and applying an AC electric field to the particles and the bulk material while the bulk material is in a liquid state to align the particles into at least one ionically conductive aligned particle region within the bulk material.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor and method for making such a conductor are disclosed. The conductor comprises a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed over the copper core, an aluminum oxide dielectric layer formed over the layer of aluminum, and a thin polymeric layer formed over the aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The thin polymeric layer is preferably between about 30 microns (0.001?) and about 500 microns (0.02?) and is more preferably between about 45 microns (0.0015?) and about 250 microns (0.01?). The polymeric layer may be any polymeric material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. Other polymeric materials may be used. The polymeric layer may be formed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, spraying, brushing, dipping, and powder coating.

Abstract: An ionically conductive composite separator for a rechargeable battery and methods for producing the same are provided. The separator may include a bulk material having an anode side and a cathode side and a thickness extending therebetween and a region of aligned particles extending across the bulk material thickness. The aligned particles may be formed as a particle chain and the particles may be formed of a solid electrolyte material. The ionically conductive separator may be formed by providing a plurality of particles within a bulk material and applying an AC electric field to the particles and the bulk material while the bulk material is in a liquid state to align the particles into at least one ionically conductive aligned particle region within the bulk material.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a message included with a digital radio signal. The processor is also configured to examine a message header to determine if the message is intended for receipt at a receiving vehicle. The processor is further configured to discard the message if not intended for receipt at the receiving vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to process the message if intended for receipt at the receiving vehicle and deliver the processed message to a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A payment reminder may be received by a payment reminder application executed by a computing device. The payment reminder may request payment of a vehicle loan associated with a registered combination of a vehicle identification number and an occupant identifier associated with the vehicle loan. The payment reminder application may verify appropriate vehicle occupants are available to receive the payment reminder, and may deliver the received payment reminder to the appropriate vehicle occupants at an appropriate time for occupant safety and privacy. The payment reminder application may also provide other types of reminders or messages targeted to the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor and method for making such a conductor are disclosed. The conductor comprises a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed over the copper core, an aluminum oxide dielectric layer formed over the layer of aluminum, and a thin polymeric layer formed over said aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The thin polymeric layer is preferably between about 30 microns (0.001?) and about 500 microns (0.02?) and is more preferably between about 45 microns (0.0015?) and about 250 microns (0.01?). The polymeric layer may be any polymeric material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. Other polymeric materials may be used. The polymeric layer may be formed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, spraying, brushing, dipping, and powder coating.

Abstract: A method of anodizing a coil comprised of wire having a copper core and a layer of a metal formed on the core is disclosed. The metal has electrically insulating characteristics when anodized. Two variations of the method are provided. In the first variation the metal-clad wire is partially anodized prior to being wound on a spool to form a coil. Once the partially anodized wire is wound onto a spool the coiled wire is anodized to complete anodization. The anodized coiled wire may be rinsed to remove residual electrolytic material. In the second variation the metal-clad wire is wound on a spool to form a coil. The coiled wire is then anodized. The method of the disclosed invention reduces or entirely eliminates the presence of micro cracks in the oxide layer. The resulting coil may be used in motors, electromagnets, generators, alternators and subsystems for the same.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor having a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed on the copper core, and a second layer of aluminum in the form of a high-purity aluminum is disclosed. The copper core may be a solid core or may be formed from a plurality of copper strands. The layer of aluminum formed over the copper core is at least partially anodized to form an aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The layer of high-purity aluminum may be formed by evaporation deposition, sputter deposition, or co-extrusion. Once the layer of high-purity aluminum is formed, it is anodized. More than two layers of aluminum may be formed over the copper core.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a vehicle fleet configuration for purchase, replacement, and/or deployment of vehicles include an input device configured to receive user input indicative of a number of vehicles to purchase and at least one fleet operational parameter target. A computer in communication with the input device and a database having emissions and fuel economy information for a plurality of available vehicle models and associated powertrain configurations is configured to generate a recommended number of vehicles for each of the available vehicle models with associated powertrain configurations to satisfy the number of vehicles to purchase, wherein the operational parameters associated with the number of vehicles satisfy at least one fleet operational parameter target, which may include one of minimizing cost or minimizing emissions, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for stereo photography is provided. The system comprises a first light source, a second light source and a photodetector. The first light source is configured to illuminate one or more first non-white colors on an object. The second light source is configured to illuminate one or more second non-white colors that are different from the first non-white colors on the object. The photodetector is configured to detect a three dimensional representation of the object at a single moment in time in response to the first light source illuminating the first non-white colors and the second light source illuminating the second non-white colors on the object.

Abstract: An insulated assembly of insulated electric conductors includes a first plurality of insulated electric conductors. Each insulated electric conductor has a copper core, a uniform thickness thin sheet of aluminum that is mechanically formed to envelope the copper core and a single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide that is formed by anodizing an outer surface of the thin sheet of aluminum. A first aluminum layer is mechanically formed to envelope the first plurality of insulated electric conductors and a first single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide surrounds the first aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for making a purchase using a vehicle computing system includes receiving input to the vehicle computing system instructing order initiation. The method also includes receiving a selection at the vehicle computing system of a merchant from which to order. The method further includes receiving an order at the vehicle computing system, determining an address of the merchant to which the order was placed and providing directions to the address. These can be provided as, for example, turn by turn directions spoken and/or displayed on a nav display. Finally, the exemplary method includes processing a payment for the order.

Abstract: An insulated assembly of insulated electric conductors includes a first plurality of insulated electric conductors. Each insulated electric conductor has a copper core, a uniform thickness thin sheet of aluminum that is mechanically formed to envelope the copper core and a single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide that is formed by anodizing an outer surface of the thin sheet of aluminum. A first aluminum layer is mechanically formed to envelope the first plurality of insulated electric conductors and a first single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide surrounds the first aluminum layer.