Abstract: Driver attention and hand placement systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes providing warning messages to a driver of a vehicle based on steering wheel input or hand-wheel contact by the driver. The warning messages are provided according to a first scheme when the steering wheel input is above a threshold value and according to a second scheme when the steering wheel input is below a threshold value and images obtained by a camera in the vehicle indicate that at least one hand of the driver is on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive a speed of windshield wipers of a vehicle, adjust a setting for an adaptive cruise control of the vehicle based on the speed of the windshield wipers, and instruct a propulsion of the vehicle to operate in accordance with the adjusted setting of the adaptive cruise control.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to protect a side-view mirror of a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor includes obtaining a first dimensional parameter associated with a body portion of a vehicle (for example, a width or a length of the vehicle) and a second dimensional parameter associated with a side-view mirror attached to the vehicle (for example, a protrusion distance of the side-view mirror). A turning path characteristic associated with a movement of the vehicle may then be determined, followed by determining a probability of a collision between the side-view mirror and an object located outside the vehicle. Determining the probability may be based on the first dimensional parameter, the second dimensional parameter, and the turning path characteristic. If the probability of the collision exceeds a threshold value, an alert may be issued, or a preventive maneuver executed in order to prevent the collision.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine, as a vehicle travels along a roadway while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, that the roadway is a non-controlled-access roadway, detect a presence of traffic congestion impeding travel of the vehicle along the non-controlled-access roadway, responsive to detecting the presence of the traffic congestion, generate a prompt for driver input indicating whether the adaptive cruise control feature is to enter an extended auto-resume (XAR) mode, and cause the adaptive cruise control feature to enter the XAR mode based on driver input indicating that the adaptive cruise control feature is to enter the XAR mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be configured for providing preemptive reenergizing alerts designed to alert vehicle users to reenergize their vehicles in anticipation of power disruption conditions. Weather related data and/or grid related data may be leveraged for predicting the likelihood of power disruption conditions of a grid power source. When power disruption conditions are likely to increase the cost of energy by greater than a predefined threshold, one or more reenergizing alerts may be automatically communicated for alerting the users of the need to reenergize (e.g., refuel, recharge, etc.) their vehicles. Preemptively alerting users to reenergize their vehicles in this manner may ensure that the vehicle will be available for use as a backup power source during actual power disruption conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more transceivers configured to communicate with a server; and a controller programmed to responsive to detecting an extra load to the vehicle, obtain a first candidate energy consumption rate corresponding to the extra load from the server, calculate an estimated energy consumption rate using the first candidate energy consumption rate, and calculate a distance to empty using the estimated energy consumption rate.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for issuing a hazard warning to an animate object located in a vicinity of a vehicle. In an example method, a processor in a warning system of a vehicle, detects an animate object (a person or an animal) in the vicinity of a first vehicle and determines a hazard posed to the animate object. The hazard, which may be caused by the first vehicle or another vehicle that is moving in a collision course with the animate object, can be evaluated by determining a trajectory of the animate object and a trajectory of the vehicle. If the probability of intersection of the two trajectories exceeds a threshold intersection probability level, the processor recognizes a hazard and issues a warning to the animate object (a horn beep, flashing lights, or a text message to a smart device of the person).

Abstract: A vehicle having a powered tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a body, a powered tailgate pivotally connected to the body, an actuator operatively coupled to the tailgate to move the tailgate between open and closed positions, and sensors configured to sense an object in a swing path of the tailgate. The vehicle also includes a controller for processing signals output from the sensor and identifying and classifying the object, and controlling the actuator to move the tailgate between the open and closed positions based on the classified object.

Abstract: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.

Abstract: Driver attention and hand placement systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes providing warning messages to a driver of a vehicle based on steering wheel input or hand-wheel contact by the driver. The warning messages are provided according to a first scheme when the steering wheel input is above a threshold value and according to a second scheme when the steering wheel input is below a threshold value and images obtained by a camera in the vehicle indicate that at least one hand of the driver is on the steering wheel.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a driver to travel through a drive-through lane of an establishment in an autonomous mode of operation. In an example method, a processor in a vehicle determines a location of the vehicle in a drive-through lane in various ways such as, for example, based on objects located in the vicinity of the drive-through lane, based on location coordinates, and/or based on a geofence defined around the establishment. The processor may then place the vehicle in an autonomous mode of operation and instruct the driver of the vehicle to refrain from touching vehicle driving control components such as the steering wheel, the brake pedal, and the accelerator pedal. The vehicle autonomously then moves through the drive-through lane in a stop-and-go mode of movement at a controlled speed while executing lane-centering and collision avoidance.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first sensor that senses a state of the vehicle and a second sensor that senses outside of the vehicle. A computing device is configured to receive signals from the sensors and to control rotating and turning of the wheels. While the vehicle is parked, the computing device determines according to a signal received from the sensors, that a condition is satisfied. The condition may be associated with a particular wheel. Based on determining that the condition is satisfied, and while the vehicle remains parked, the computing device initiates automatically rotating or turning the particular wheel associated with the condition.

Abstract: An operation assistance system for a first vehicle that is connected to a second vehicle that propels the connected first and second vehicles includes: a sensor system of the first vehicle that detects a feature in an operating environment of at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and a controller that is in communication with the sensor system and that prompts a power assist steering system of the first vehicle to execute a steering command based on the sensor system detecting the feature.

Abstract: Tailgate position management systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining that a tailgate of a vehicle is in a down position, the tailgate comprising a tailgate camera, and selectively adjusting an automatic vehicle assistance feature of the vehicle based on the tailgate being in the down position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first sensor that senses a state of the vehicle and a second sensor that senses outside of the vehicle. A computing device is configured to receive signals from the sensors and to control rotating and turning of the wheels. While the vehicle is parked, the computing device determines according to a signal received from the sensors, that a condition is satisfied. The condition may be associated with a particular wheel. Based on determining that the condition is satisfied, and while the vehicle remains parked, the computing device initiates automatically rotating or turning the particular wheel associated with the condition.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive data indicating a lane change by a first vehicle that is towing a second vehicle, the data including data indicating a direction that first wheels of the first vehicle are turning while the first vehicle is performing the lane change; and during the lane change, instruct a steering system of the second vehicle to turn second wheels of the second vehicle in a same direction as the first wheels.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to obtain, while an adaptive cruise control feature of a vehicle traveling a roadway is set to operate in a standard operation mode, lighting condition data for an on-board camera of the vehicle, determine, based on the lighting condition data, whether the on-board camera is subject to a lighting-compromised condition, and responsive to a determination that the on-board camera is subject to the lighting-compromised condition, cause the adaptive cruise control feature to operate in a modified operation mode, wherein during operation in the modified operation mode, the adaptive cruise control feature operates in accordance with one or more modified operating parameters.

Abstract: Terrain characteristics of an off-road area are determined based on a map. The terrain characteristics include a terrain type, a terrain grade, and a presence or an absence of an obstacle. Vehicle characteristics are determined including a ground clearance and a breakover angle. Based on a user level, vehicle parameters for the off-road area are determined based on the terrain characteristics, the vehicle characteristics, and the user input. The vehicle parameters include a speed and a transmission gear. The vehicle parameters for the off-road area are output.

Abstract: While operating a host vehicle in a lane, a target vehicle is detected entering the lane in front of the vehicle. A trajectory of the target vehicle is predicted based on sensor data. Upon determining that the target vehicle will pass through the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated based on determining a presence or an absence of a lead vehicle. Upon determining that the target vehicle will remain in the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated with the target vehicle as the lead vehicle.