Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle comprising: i) a hub adapted to be mounted on a steering column of a vehicle; ii) a rim coupled to the hub; iii) a rim material covering at least a part of the rim; iv) at least one bladder disposed between the rim and the rim material; v) a fluid pump configured to inflate and to deflate the at least one bladder; and vi) a control module coupled to at least one vehicle sensor and configured to control the operation of the fluid pump.

Abstract: A method for cargo management in a motor vehicle includes identifying the motor vehicle. The method gathers dimensional information of at least one object and gathers internal dimensions of a volume within the motor vehicle. The dimensional information of the at least one object is compared to the internal dimensions of the volume, and feedback is provided to a user. The feedback is one of: yes, the at least one object will fit; or no, the at least one object will not fit.

Abstract: A system for promoting passenger trust and to mitigate motion sickness in a vehicle may include a first sensor structured to detect an operational status of the vehicle, a processor operably coupled to the first sensor; and a subliminal sensory system operably coupled to the processor. The processor may be structured to control the subliminal sensory system to subliminally provide information about the operational status of the vehicle to a passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprising a steering wheel that includes: i) a hub adapted to be mounted on a steering column of the vehicle system; ii) a steering wheel rim coupled to the hub; and iii) a first control movably coupled to the hub. The first control moves from a first position proximate a first location on the steering wheel rim to a second position proximate a second location on the steering wheel rim. This maintains the first control in proximity to a first hand of a driver as the first hand moves from the first location to the second location on the steering wheel rim. The vehicle system further comprises a control module configured to move the first control from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprising: i) an infotainment system; ii) a dashboard display module; and iii) an adaptive transforming multifunction control module configured to receive manual inputs from a first occupant of the vehicle system. The adaptive transforming multifunction control module is configured to perform at least one operation based on a first selected function associated with the infotainment system.

Abstract: A system for modifying driving behavior of an autonomous vehicle based on passenger satisfaction of a passenger may include a first sensor structured to detect a first property of the passenger; a processor operably coupled to the first sensor, the processor structured to calculate a passenger satisfaction index based on the first property of the passenger; an automated driving system structured to operate the autonomous vehicle, the automated driving system being operably coupled to the processor. The processor may be structured to control the automated driving system to modify driving behavior of the autonomous vehicle in response to the passenger satisfaction index satisfying a first condition.

Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle includes an electronic display and an adjustment mechanism. The electronic display is configured to be mounted to an instrument panel of the vehicle. The electronic display includes multiple screens and at least one hinge disposed between the screens. The electronic display is configured to be folded at the at least one hinge by pivoting at least one of the screens about the at least one hinge to adjust a viewing angle of an occupant in the vehicle relative to the at least one screen. The adjustment mechanism is configured to maintain the at least one screen in any one of a plurality of positions when the electronic display is folded at the at least one hinge by pivoting the at least one screen about the at least one hinge to adjust the at least one screen to the one position.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of sensors arranged in a vehicle to monitor an item in a storage area of a vehicle. The system comprises a data processing module configured to process data from the sensors, determine whether the item in the storage area of the vehicle is likely to move within the storage area or is likely to fall from the vehicle during travel, and generate a first indication that the item is likely to move within the storage area or is likely to fall from the vehicle during travel. The data processing module is configured to determine whether the item has moved within the storage area or has fallen from the vehicle during travel and generate a second indication that the item has moved within the storage area or has fallen from the vehicle during travel.

Abstract: A system for increasing satisfaction of a passenger in a vehicle having an automated driving system structured to operate the autonomous vehicle may include a first sensor structured to detect a driving environment of the vehicle, the first sensor being operably coupled to the automated driving system; a processor operably coupled to the first sensor and the automated driving system, the processor being structured to calculate a vehicle path plan based on the driving environment of the vehicle and local infrastructure information; and a display operably coupled to the first sensor, the processor, and the automated driving system. The processor may be structured to control the display to display a graphical representation of the driving environment of the vehicle and the vehicle path plan.

Abstract: A system for initiating and executing an automated lane change maneuver in a vehicle may include a steering wheel interface having a display; and a monitor to detect a viewing direction of the user. The interface may detect a first predetermined gesture by the user; in response to the first predetermined gesture, transmit a first signal to the vehicle instructing the vehicle to prepare for the automated lane change maneuver; display a status of the automated lane change maneuver; display a prompt for the user to visually confirm safety of the automated lane change maneuver. The monitor may continuously detect the viewing direction of the user; and in response to the viewing direction of the user changing, transmit a second signal to the vehicle instructing the vehicle to execute the automated lane change maneuver.

Abstract: A method for cargo management in a motor vehicle includes identifying the motor vehicle. The method gathers dimensional information of at least one object and gathers internal dimensions of a volume within the motor vehicle. The dimensional information of the at least one object is compared to the internal dimensions of the volume, and feedback is provided to a user. The feedback is one of: yes, the at least one object will fit; or no, the at least one object will not fit.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door latch configured to secure the vehicle door in a closed position, and an inside door handle assembly operably connected to the door latch and configured, when operated in a first door handle mode, to release the door latch thus allowing for movement of the vehicle door from the closed position. A lock post is operably connected to the door latch and configured, when operated in a first lock post mode, to lock the door latch. A child safety lock switch is operably connected to the door latch and configured such that, when activated, the child safety lock switch prevents releasing of the door latch via operation of the inside door handle in the first door handle mode. One or more of the inside door handle or the lock post operates in a second mode to deactivate the child safety lock switch.

Abstract: A system and method that pertain to a rotating vehicle display unit that can automatically or manually rotate between landscape and portrait orientations, depending on the particular display format or media being shown to the vehicle occupants. The rotating vehicle display unit uses an electro-mechanical rotating and locking mechanism with smart fluid, such as magnetorheological fluid (MR), to facilitate easy and precise rotational movement between different display orientations. The rotating vehicle display unit may be coupled to a corresponding human-machine interface (HMI) that responds to the different display orientations and helps facilitate easy transition from one orientation to another in order to optimize the particular display format or media being shown at that time.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out a vehicle action based on a state of a sensor tag that is attachable to an asset or a personal item. The method includes: configuring the sensor tag to be associated with the asset, wherein the configuring step includes receiving asset attribute information concerning the asset; obtaining sensor tag state information regarding a state of the sensor tag, wherein the sensor tag state information includes information received from the sensor tag and/or information concerning the presence or absence of the sensor tag at the vehicle; detecting a vehicle trigger event, wherein the vehicle trigger event is an occurrence of a vehicle trigger, and the vehicle trigger specifies one or more conditions pertaining to the state of the sensor tag; and carrying out a vehicle action at the vehicle in response to the detection of the vehicle trigger event.

Abstract: A system for promoting passenger trust and to mitigate motion sickness in a vehicle may include a first sensor structured to detect an operational status of the vehicle, a processor operably coupled to the first sensor; and a subliminal sensory system operably coupled to the processor. The processor may be structured to control the subliminal sensory system to subliminally provide information about the operational status of the vehicle to a passenger.

Abstract: A system for measuring passenger satisfaction of a passenger in a vehicle may include a first sensor structured to detect a first property of the passenger and a processor operably coupled to the first sensor. The processor structured to calculate a passenger satisfaction index based on the first property of the passenger. A method for measuring passenger satisfaction in a vehicle may include detecting, with a first sensor, a first property of the passenger; calculating, with a processor, a passenger satisfaction index based on the first property of the passenger.

Abstract: A system for modifying driving behavior of an autonomous vehicle based on passenger satisfaction of a passenger may include a first sensor structured to detect a first property of the passenger; a processor operably coupled to the first sensor, the processor structured to calculate a passenger satisfaction index based on the first property of the passenger; an automated driving system structured to operate the autonomous vehicle, the automated driving system being operably coupled to the processor. The processor may be structured to control the automated driving system to modify driving behavior of the autonomous vehicle in response to the passenger satisfaction index satisfying a first condition.

Abstract: A system for increasing satisfaction of a passenger in a vehicle having an automated driving system structured to operate the autonomous vehicle may include a first sensor structured to detect a driving environment of the vehicle, the first sensor being operably coupled to the automated driving system; a processor operably coupled to the first sensor and the automated driving system, the processor being structured to calculate a vehicle path plan based on the driving environment of the vehicle and local infrastructure information; and a display operably coupled to the first sensor, the processor, and the automated driving system. The processor may be structured to control the display to display a graphical representation of the driving environment of the vehicle and the vehicle path plan.

Abstract: A processor-implemented path planning method in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes retrieving road surface information along a planned path for the vehicle; constructing, by the processor, a model of the road surface along the planned path; identifying, by the processor, a road irregularity in the road surface for the planned path; classifying, by the processor, the road irregularity; projecting the location of vehicle tire patches on the model of the road surface; predicting, by the processor, vehicle sprung-mass dynamics as a function of time for the vehicle along the planned path; calculating a plurality of alternative path trajectories within the constraints of the road boundaries for avoiding the road irregularity; choosing an alternative path trajectory out of the plurality of alternative path trajectories that reduces the sprung-mass dynamics for the vehicle to provide a more comfortable ride; and updating the planned path with the chosen alternative path trajectory.

Abstract: A guidance system for a user includes a first haptic device disposed on a first, rightward side and a second haptic device disposed on a second, leftward side of the user. A local controller is disposed on the user to communicate with the first and second haptic devices. A remote server is configured to communicate with the local controller. A vehicle includes a global positioning system sensor, and is in communication with the remote server. The local controller includes a control routine that is executable to determine a desired location of the vehicle, and determine a present location of the user. The control routine guides, via the first and second haptic devices, movement of the user towards the desired location of the vehicle, and indicates, via the first and second haptic devices, arrival of the vehicle at the desired location. The control routine pairs the user with the vehicle.