Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives the scene data and identifying a trailer and at least one ground surface within the area to the rear of the vehicle and differentiates between first and second portions of the ground surface having first and second ground surface classifications. The controller further derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer to maintain the vehicle within the first portion of the ground surface having the first ground surface classification and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle during reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorbing system includes a wheel, a vehicle body, a first absorber, a dynamic absorber, and a third absorber. The third absorber is attached to the vehicle body. The first absorber is between the third absorber and the wheel. The dynamic absorber is attached to the wheel and includes a dynamic absorber mass and a spring.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a camera, a sensor, and processors for detecting an unoccupied parking spot while the vehicle traverses a detection path. The processors define a variable virtual boundary based on at least one object detected on a side of the detection path excluding the unoccupied parking spot and generates at least one parking maneuver based on the unoccupied parking spot and the variable virtual boundary.

Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises a steering control system configured to control a steering angle of a plurality of steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the vehicle to stop in a stopped position upon completing a vehicle alignment routine and identify an alignment error distance between the hitch and the coupler position in the stopped position. The controller is further configured to calculate a change distance of the hitch based on the steering angle and calculate an aligned steering error distance. The aligned steering error distance is calculated by comparing the change distance to the alignment error. Based on the aligned steering error distance, the controller may selectively suppress the steering angle alignment routine.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display system may include a peg array of multiple pegs. Each peg may be individually addressable and designed to move along one or more axes. The 3D display system may also include an induction array having multiple electromagnetic coils to generate electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields may induce magnetic forces upon at least one peg to cause the peg to move along an axis into an actuated position. The 3D display may also include a display screen to be distended into a 3D topography via contact with at least one peg in the actuated position.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system including a controller determining a trailer target area to a rear of the vehicle. The trailer target area is positioned within left and right lateral vehicle steering limits, defined in a lateral direction between left and right boundaries respectively spaced inwardly of the left and right lateral vehicle steering limits by one of a system perception factor or a vehicle geometry factor, and defined in a longitudinal direction between a minimum movement limit and a maximum perception limit. The controller further identifies a trailer coupler within the trailer target area and outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler during movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A silencer for a gun includes an inner end housing adapted to be coupled to a gun, an outer end housing coupled to the inner end housing and defining an axial axis, a baffle holder disposed inside the inner end housing and the outer end housing, the baffle holder having at least two slots spaced axially along the axial axis, and at least two baffles disposed in the at least two slots of the baffle holder, one of the at least two baffles being disposed in one of the at least two slots, the at least two baffles having an aperture extending axially therethrough to allow a bullet fired from the gun to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A silencer for a gun includes an inner end housing adapted to be coupled to a gun, an outer end housing coupled to the inner end housing and defining an axial axis, a baffle holder disposed inside the inner end housing and the outer end housing, the baffle holder having at least two slots spaced axially along the axial axis, and at least two baffles disposed in the at least two slots of the baffle holder, one of the at least two baffles being disposed in one of the at least two slots, the at least two baffles having an aperture extending axially therethrough to allow a bullet fired from the gun to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A road friction is determined for a road location based on a traffic speed determined from respective speeds of each of a plurality of vehicles. A vehicle can be operated based on the determined road friction.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a steering system having steered vehicle wheels mounted on an exterior of the vehicle and a steering motor mechanically coupled with the steered vehicle wheels. The system further includes controller that acquires control of the steered vehicle wheels by connection with the steering motor and, after acquiring control of the steered vehicle wheels, receives a command to execute an automated hitching maneuver and controls the steered vehicle wheels using the steering motor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle comprises identifying a first detected position of a trailer coupler in the sensor data and identifying a trajectory range of a hitch of the vehicle based on a steering angle range of the vehicle. In response to the first detected position being outside the trajectory range, the method may continue by calculating a nearby position within the trajectory range based on the trajectory range. The method further comprises maneuvering the vehicle aligning the hitch with the nearby position.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request to change lanes in a vehicle, a computer can determine that a first sightline toward a target lane is blocked, and can control the vehicle to move laterally in a current lane to obtain a second sightline toward the target lane.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a camera, a sensor, and processors for detecting an unoccupied parking spot while the vehicle traverses a detection path. The processors define a variable virtual boundary based on at least one object detected on a side of the detection path excluding the unoccupied parking spot and generates at least one parking maneuver based on the unoccupied parking spot and the variable virtual boundary.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorbing system includes a wheel, a vehicle body, a first absorber, a dynamic absorber, and a third absorber. The third absorber is attached to the vehicle body. The first absorber is between the third absorber and the wheel. The dynamic absorber is attached to the wheel and includes a dynamic absorber mass and a spring.

Abstract: A hitch assist system and method are provided herein. A device is configured to detect a hitch coupler of a trailer and a controller is in communication with the device. The controller is configured to generate a boundary area projecting from the hitch coupler, define a vehicle backup path toward the trailer if a tow hitch of the vehicle is located inside the boundary area, and determine a steering angle for steering the vehicle along the vehicle backup path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a camera, and an autonomous vehicle parker. The autonomous vehicle parker is to detect, via the camera, a perpendicular parking spot and an outer boundary of the perpendicular parking spot, determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot and based on the outer boundary, and autonomously turn into the perpendicular parking spot such that the front corner travels along the linear parking path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a sensor, and a parking controller. The parking controller is to detect, via the sensor, a perpendicular parking spot and determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot along which the front corner is to travel. The parking controller also is to determine an approaching turn path to the linear parking path and autonomously turn along the approaching turn path and the linear parking path into the perpendicular parking spot.