Abstract: A system receives identification of an item to be loaded into a vehicle and determines dimensions of the item. The system adds the item to a total load for an identified vehicle and, based on known dimensions of available space in the identified vehicle, determines one or more candidate placement options for each of one or more items comprising the total load, within available space within the vehicle, wherein candidate placement options for each item are determined so as not to overlap with placement options for another of the one or more items within a given configuration representing placement options for all of the one or more items comprising the total load. Additionally, the system presents a visual rendering of at least one given configuration that successfully allows the total load to fit within the available space.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to determine that a vehicle is attempting to enter an area designated for off-road travel. The processors are also configured to access use-restrictions stored in a database and associated with the area, the use-restrictions defining at least one vehicle constraint required for the vehicle to travel over one or more locations that are part of the area, the use restrictions defining at least one of vehicle control limiting or vehicle weight maximums. The processors are further configured to determine whether the vehicle meets the use-restrictions based on an assessment of vehicle characteristics compared to the use-restrictions and responsive to determining that the vehicle meets the restrictions, providing the vehicle with a digital access pass to the area.

Abstract: An automated projector image optimization (APIO) system for a vehicle having a control system is provided. The APIO system includes a projector configured to display an image, a processor configured to be electrically connected to the control system, and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including receiving a user input corresponding to a display surface, determining a preferred orientation of the projector relative to the display surface, and employing the control system to move the vehicle so that the projector is in the preferred orientation.

Abstract: An event detection system is for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a sensor suite electrically connected to the processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations including receive an ON command, and receive data from the sensor suite. The data is indicative of the event, and the event includes the planting of unknown cargo on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system receives confirmation that a vehicle has accepted automatic control imposition for a drive within a geo-fenced boundary. The system tracks travel of a plurality of vehicles, including the vehicle, within the geo-fenced boundary. The system may determine that the vehicle has a threshold likelihood of encountering at least one of another vehicle or a boundary of the geo-fence at a threshold speed or above and responsive to the determination, impose automatic control on the vehicle, including at least one of controlled braking or speed limiting.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system may include a sensor network operably coupled to suspension components of the vehicle and a controller operably coupled to the sensor network to determine a suspension event and vehicle speed, initiation angle and duration time associated with the suspension event. The controller further determines a vertical and/or horizontal component of the distance traveled during the suspension event based on the vehicle speed, initiation angle and duration time.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in collective zone lighting includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The controller is configured to create a group of vehicles using wireless messaging, via the wireless transceiver, between the vehicle and one or more other vehicles, and instruct the group of vehicles to collectively light an area using exterior lights of a plurality of the group of vehicles.

Abstract: Success rate and usage monitoring for charging vehicles is provided. A charger request is received from a requesting device, the charger request requesting charger recommendations for a vehicle. One or more vehicle attributes are identified from the charger request. The charger recommendations are determined based on charger statistics computed based on charger histories that correspond to the one or more vehicle attributes, the charger histories being descriptive of vehicle charges performed to one or more vehicles by one or more charging stations and further including information descriptive of the one or more vehicles receiving the vehicle charges. The charger recommendations corresponding to the one or more vehicle attributes are sent to the requesting device, responsive to the request.

Abstract: Blending of available fluids for a vehicle is provided. It is received, to the vehicle from a fluid dispenser over a bidirectional filling communications session, information indicative of a plurality of available fluids for dispensing from the fluid dispenser into a fluid reservoir of the vehicle. It is indicated, from the vehicle over the bidirectional filling communications session to the fluid dispenser, a first quantity of a first fluid and a second quantity of a second fluid to be dispensed to the vehicle as a blend. It is received the first quantity of the first fluid and the second quantity of the second fluid into the fluid reservoir of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine the load of a vehicle via calibrate a suspension sensor are disclosed herein. An example vehicle described herein includes a force transducer, an actuator coupled to the force transducer, memory including instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to engage the actuator to a bottom surface of a vehicle, apply a first force to the bottom surface via the actuator, determine a first displacement of a first suspension component of the vehicle, and calibrate a first sensor of the vehicle based on the first force and the first displacement.

Abstract: A system for braking a host vehicle. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to actuate friction brakes in the host vehicle when a brake condition occurs. The brake condition includes that the host vehicle is parked on a roadway, a person is located exterior to the host vehicle, and an approaching vehicle will come within a distance threshold of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A surveillance system is disclosed. The surveillance system may include a power source, a tether and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The tether may include tether proximal distal ends. The tether may obtain power from the power source via a tether connection unit connected to the tether distal end. The UAV may be removably attached to the tether proximal end and configured to obtain power from the tether. The UAV may obtain a trigger signal to follow a target object. The UAV may maneuver UAV movement to follow the target object responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The UAV may additionally determine that a distance between the UAV and the tether connection unit may be equivalent to a tether length when the UAV may be following the target object. The UAV may detach from the tether when the distance may be equivalent to the tether length.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle includes a microphone focused on a first designated location of a first person with respect to the vehicle, a camera with a field of view encompassing the first designated location, an output device directed to a second designated location of a second person with respect to the vehicle, and a computer communicatively coupled to the microphone, the camera, and the output device. The computer is programmed to generate first text in a first language based on input audio data from the microphone and video data from the camera, translate the first text to second text in a second language, and instruct the output device to output the second text.

Abstract: A system can include a computer having a processor and memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine, at a first vehicle, a first time interval that is available to pass a second vehicle operating in a path of the first vehicle. The instructions may additionally be to compute, based on a predicted motion model that includes a first estimate of road friction of the first vehicle operating along the path, a second time interval for the first vehicle to pass the second vehicle in which, upon determining that the second time interval is less than or equal to the first time interval, actuate a component of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A system determines a location of a specific vehicle in a dealer lot, responsive to a request for the specific vehicle received from a device of a user. The system also determines a current location of the user and, responsive to the user location being within a predefined proximity of the location of the specific vehicle, wirelessly instructs the specific vehicle to utilize a first vehicle external output to signal the user.

Abstract: A wheel assembly cleaning system may include a sensor network disposed proximate to the wheel assembly to detect fouling inside the wheel assembly, a controller operably coupled to the sensor network to determine a trigger condition associated with detection of the fouling inside the wheel assembly, and a fluid dispensing assembly disposed proximate to an internal side of the wheel assembly to apply a fluid to the inside of the wheel assembly under control of the controller responsive to the trigger condition. The fluid dispensing assembly may include a reservoir of the fluid, a pump providing motive force for application of the fluid, and a flow controller to direct the fluid to the inside of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle control system may include a first friction brake member that rotates with a wheel of the vehicle, a second friction brake member that is displaced from an initial position to initiate contact with the first friction brake member to apply braking torque to the wheel, a displacement assembly operably coupled to the second friction brake member to move the second friction brake member responsive to a brake torque request, a sensor network to measure displacement information of the displacement assembly from the initial position to a point of contact between the first and second friction brake members, and a control module operably coupled to the sensor network to record the displacement information to define recorded displacement information, and to determine tapering of the second friction brake member based on the recorded displacement information.

Abstract: Vehicle power outlet advisory systems and methods are disclosed. An example method executed by a processor of a vehicle power outlet advisory system in a vehicle can include detecting a gesture made by an individual. The gesture may indicate that the individual is seeking assistance to power a device. The processor can determine a power consumption of the device based on identifying a type, a brand, or a model number of the device, and can then identify a power source in the vehicle that is compatible for powering the device. The processor may further identify a first power outlet in the vehicle that is coupled to the power source, followed by issuing instructions to the individual for locating the first power outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for automatically detecting internally blocked rear and side view mirrors. An example method to detect an obstruction may include detecting via sensors in the vehicle an obstruction preventing a driver from viewing a region of interest associated with a mirror, determining a permanence associated with the obstruction, and switching to a camera mode in lieu of the mirror when the obstruction has a permanence beyond a threshold.