Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle includes a power system, a controller, a driver seat, a passenger seat, a back seat, and sensors. The controller is in communication with the sensors and the power system. The seats are coupled, directly or indirectly, to the power system. The sensors are configured to detect occupancy of the driver, passenger, and back seats. The controller is programmed to receive occupancy data from the sensors, determine an occupancy status based on the occupancy data, set an operating parameter for the power system based on the occupancy status, and control the power system in accordance with the parameter.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a traction battery; and a controller or a vehicle control system having a controller. The controller is programmed to respond to a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery. When the SOC is greater than a predicted SOC the controller is programmed to decrease a SOC threshold at which the engine is shut down to reduce the SOC. The SOC threshold is defined by a difference between a maximum SOC and an expected change in the SOC associated with predicted regenerative energy for a drive cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a VCR engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain a current compression ratio or transition to an alternate compression ratio based on the fuel economy benefit of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a compression ratio transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of a variable compression ratio engine in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a lower compression ratio during engine pull-ups and pull-downs, in particular when passing through a low speed region where compression bobbles can occur. During engine operation, in response to a change in driver demand, the controller may opt to switch the compression ratio or maintain a current compression ratio while smoothing a torque deficit using motor torque, the selection based on fuel economy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of a multi-fuel engine in a hybrid vehicle system. During engine operation, in response to a change in driver demand, the controller may opt to switch fuels or maintain a current fuel while using stored power assist. The selection may be based on the combination of fuel and stored power offset that provides the highest engine efficiency at the lowest fuel cost.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an engine exhaust driven fuel reformer in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where fuel reformer operation is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust an operating range of temperatures of the reformer to enable extended fuel reforming even after the engine of the hybrid has been shutdown.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a bi-fuel engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain usage of a current fuel or transition to an alternate fuel based on the cost efficiency of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a fuel transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and communicating slipping of non-connected vehicles are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a wireless communication module and a vehicle marker. The example wireless communication module is configured to determine whether a second vehicle in the vicinity of the vehicle is wireless communication enabled. The example vehicle marker is configured to, in response to detecting that the second vehicle is slipping, when the second vehicle is not wireless communication enabled, broadcast an alert including a location of the second vehicle. Additionally, the example vehicle marker is configured to, in response to detecting that the second vehicle is slipping, display a visual cue visible behind the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling hybrid vehicle engine operation, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to an intake manifold. In one example, during an engine cold-start event or other event where temperature of one or more exhaust catalysts are below a temperature needed for catalytic activity, fuel injection to the dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder(s) is maintained shut off, while its intake and exhaust valves are maintained activated, thus enabling the dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder(s) to route air to the intake manifold of the engine, resulting in exhaust gas lean of stoichiometry that may serve to heat the catalyst. In this way, during cold start events and other events where temperature of one or more exhaust catalysts are below a temperature for catalytic activity, combustion stability issues may be avoided, and exhaust catalyst(s) rapidly heated, thereby reducing undesired tailpipe emissions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation in a hybrid vehicle, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to the intake manifold. In one example, if an engine load decreases below a level where dedicated exhaust gas recirculation may lead to combustion stability issues, engine load may be increased above the demanded load and the excess power used to charge a system battery, or if the battery state of charge is above a threshold, the engine may be shut down and the vehicle propelled via battery power. In this way, fuel economy and combustion stability issues may be improved, NOx emissions reduced, and costs for implementation of dedicated exhaust gas recirculation decreased.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to obtain an image of a vehicle plate. The processor is also configured to determine identification characters present in the image. The processor is further configured to compare the identification characters to a list of sought-vehicle plates and report a match between the identification characters and a plate on the list of sought-vehicle plates.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, an electric heater, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge a battery through regenerative braking. The electric heater is configured to heat an engine coolant. The controller is programmed to redirect regenerative braking power to the electric heater in response to the engine coolant temperature being below a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an interactive display based on interpreting driver actions are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a camera, a microphone, and a vehicle assist unit. The example vehicle assist unit is configured to in response to detecting a request for information regarding a subsystem of the vehicle via at least one of the camera or the microphone, display information about the subsystem at a first level of detail, and in response to detecting a request for more information regarding the subsystem, display information about the subsystem at second level of detail.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to determine electric vehicle range based on environmental factors are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a battery pack, a HVAC control module, and an electronic control unit that includes a range calculator. The example range calculator determine a base power load, determines an auxiliary power load based on a sun load, an ambient temperature, a cabin temperature, and a temperature setting, and calculates a range of the vehicle based on the base power load, the auxiliary power load and a charge of the battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle in an electric idle mode are presented. The vehicle electrical idle mode may be characterized as a mode where the vehicle's engine is off; the vehicle increases torque to vehicle wheels responsive to an application of an accelerator pedal, release of a brake pedal, or a vehicle occupant shifting a transmission; and the vehicle's battery supplies electrical energy to devices of the vehicle being operated by a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an electric fuel separator in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where usage of a selected higher octane or lower octane fuel fraction is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust a fuel separator speed/pressure opportunistically during regenerative braking to maximize electrical usage as well as at low load conditions to enable extended engine operation in a more fuel efficient load region.

Abstract: A system for providing efficient climate control in a vehicle. The system has an HVAC system configured to receive a user-defined temperature. The HVAC system has a cabin temperature sensor. The system has a controller coupled to the HVAC system and coupleable to a mobile device. The controller is programmed to (i) receive an estimated travel time of the vehicle from the mobile device and (ii) modify output of the HVAC system based on the travel time being below a time threshold.

Abstract: Signals are received from a plurality of sources, representing aspects of the vehicle, a vehicle operator, and an environment surrounding the vehicle. An alertness factor and a readiness factor are developed based at least in part on the signals. Control of the vehicle is transitioned between levels of autonomous control based at least in part on the alertness factor and the readiness factor.

Abstract: An action probability factor is developed based at least in part on a plurality of probability arrays predicting one or more probabilities of a deviation from at least one of a planned vehicle direction, position, speed, and acceleration. Levels of autonomous control are transitioned based at least in part on the action probability factor.

Abstract: Signals are from a plurality of sources representing aspects of the vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle. An autonomous confidence factor is developed based on component confidence levels for at least one of the signals. Control of the vehicle is transitioned between levels of autonomous control based at least in part on the autonomous confidence factor.