Abstract: A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting heating of intake valves to improve engine startability. An engine laser ignition system is operated prior to, and during, an engine start to heat intake valves, thereby improving fuel vaporization. The ignition system is also operated to initiate cylinder air/fuel combustion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting clutch pressures and electric machine torques as a function of a stability metric threshold(s) in order to balance performance and charging of an onboard energy storage device. In one example, a method includes during an upshift of a transmission from a first gear to a second gear, adjusting a clutch pressure of the transmission to adjust slippage of a clutch in response to a vehicle stability control parameter exceeding a threshold. In this way, torque delivered to a transmission output shaft may be reduced, which may increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide transportation related services to customers are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a request analyzer to extract, from a natural language phrase of a text or audio provided by a person, requirements associated with a driving service, the person to receive the driving service. A processor compares the requirements to first credentials associated with service providers to provide the driving service. The first credentials are stored in a database. The processor identifies, based on the comparison, one or more of the requirements that do not correspond to the first credentials. A communicator is to request from the service providers, first information relating to the identified one or more requirements and receive second information in response to the request for the first information. The second information includes second credentials relating to the identified one or more requirements. The database is then updated with the first and second information.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine an occupancy status of a vehicle based on received sensor data; and adjust a parameter of a powertrain of the vehicle in response to data indicating a critical condition of the powertrain based on the occupancy status. The parameter may be one of engine speed, cylinder deactivation, transmission-shift time, and shift schedule.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system for reducing vehicular collisions having: (a) a vehicle comprising sensors, an acceleration system, a braking system, a processor, and memory; and (b) programs operatively coupled to the vehicle including: (1) a marking program configured to mark an outside vehicle as V2X or standard; (2) a reaction program configured to generate a signal in response to the mark, the signal being based on the mark.

Abstract: A vehicle charge station including charge cords and a controller is provided. Each of the charge cords may include an electrical connector to mate with a vehicle. The controller may be programmed to, responsive to detecting a first active one of the charge cords having a change in current draw greater than a second active one of the charge cords for a same time period, increase power provided to the first active one of the charge cords. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to detecting the first active one of the charge cords having a continually active duration less than the second active one of the charge cords for another same time period, increase power provided to the first active one of the charge cords.

Abstract: A computer and a method executable by the computer. The computer may include a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions may include, to: receive sensor data from a sensor in a vehicle operating in a fully autonomous mode; using the data, determine a misalignment value; and based on the value, perform one of a plurality of vehicle driving functions that include stopping the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle computer is disclosed that includes one or more processors and memory that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors. The computer may be programmed to: receive a light input from an array of photovoltaic cells carried by a vehicle; based on the light input, determine that an infrastructure lamp is in a degraded state or a failure state; and transmit a report to a backend system based on the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, torque output from the engine and the electric machine is adjusted to provide controlled vehicle side slip during cornering by a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine, a rear drive unit electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, torque capacity of an on-coming clutch is adjusted during an inertia phase of a power-on upshift to improve shift smoothness.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to cap power provided by a powertrain to a power limit in response to data indicating a critical condition of the powertrain; and provide power from the powertrain above the power limit in response to a demand for acceleration above an acceleration threshold. The computer may be programmed to cap power provided by the powertrain above the power limit to an energy limit.

Abstract: A system for transferring harvested drinking water from a vehicle to a trailer towed behind the vehicle includes a vehicle reservoir for collecting water from a vehicle heat-exchanger. The reservoir includes a heating element for heating water within the vehicle reservoir. A vehicle controller is coupled with the vehicle reservoir and is programmed to boil the water in the vehicle reservoir. The controller is further programmed to measure a fill level of the vehicle reservoir. A trailer reservoir receives water from the vehicle reservoir. A trailer controller is coupled with the trailer reservoir and is programmed to measure a fill level of the trailer reservoir. The trailer controller is further programmed to transmit a wireless communication to the vehicle controller. The wireless communication is indicative of the fill level of the trailer reservoir. A fluid conduit fluidly connects the vehicle reservoir to the trailer reservoir.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for an acoustic vehicle altering system (AVAS) based on existing sensors. An example vehicle includes speakers, sensors, and an acoustic vehicle alerting system. The speakers are positioned to play sound to an area external to the vehicle. The sensor is not part of an acoustic vehicle alerting system. Additionally, the acoustic vehicle alerting system plays a test frequency on the speakers, evaluates feedback from the sensor to determine whether there is an error in the acoustic vehicle alerting system, and when there is an error, displays an alert.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system comprises a vehicle computer programmed actuate a vehicle charger to receive electricity from an aerial drone. Actuation of the vehicle charger is performed in response to determining the aerial drone has landed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle jump start system includes an aerial drone including first and second electrically conductive end effectors electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water stored in a water reservoir at a plurality of locations in an engine system, including directly into engine cylinders, upstream of a turbocharger turbine, and at an exhaust manifold, and controlling a water level of the water reservoir. In one example, a method may include supplying the water stored in the water reservoir to one or more of a water injection system, a windshield wiper system, an engine coolant system, and a drinking water system based on water supply conditions and responsive to engine operating conditions. When the water level is low (e.g., below a threshold), supply to the water injection system may be prioritized.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine an occupancy status of a vehicle based on received sensor data; and adjust a parameter of a powertrain of the vehicle in response to data indicating a critical condition of the powertrain based on the occupancy status. The parameter may be one of engine speed, cylinder deactivation, transmission-shift time, and shift schedule.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.