Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing driver alerts inside a neighborhood. In an example embodiment, a neighborhood area network of computers is used to convey to a driver in the neighborhood, a driver alert about a driving impediment present on a road outside a residence. The driving impediment, which may be, for example, a vehicle, a trash receptacle, or an individual, is detected by a detection device (a camera, for example). The detection device informs a computer located in the residence of the driving impediment. The computer then communicates via the neighborhood area network with a computer in the vehicle to alert the driver. In some implementations, information pertaining to driving impediments in the neighborhood may be entered into a distributed ledger by using a blockchain mode of operation. The computer in the vehicle can access the distributed ledger to obtain this information.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for protecting the health of occupants of a vehicle. In an example method, a health monitoring apparatus in a vehicle evaluates an individual and detects a symptom of a contagious disease. The individual may be already seated in a first seat in the vehicle or intends to enter the vehicle. The health monitoring apparatus identifies a second seat that has a pre-defined spatial separation distance from the first seat. The pre-defined spatial separation distance can exceed a threshold spatial separation distance selected to provide health protection against the contagious disease. The health monitoring apparatus issues an advisory to the individual to occupy the second seat. In another example method, the health monitoring apparatus may adjust an airflow pattern in the vehicle so as to provide directional airflows to protect various occupants of the vehicle against an airborne contagious disease.

Abstract: Proximity-based vehicle security systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a napping event of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle, determining, based on signals of external sensors of the vehicle, when an object has entered one of a plurality of distance-based zones during the napping event, each of the distance-based zones being associated with a unique security response, and invoking the unique security response of the one of a plurality of distance-based zones.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting wrong way travel of a vehicle. In one example method, a smart device is provided in a vehicle. The smart device may be, for example, a smartphone of an occupant of the vehicle. A GPS system can be used to identify sequential location coordinates of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on a road, such as for example, a multi-lane road. The sequential location coordinates can be used to determine a direction of travel of the vehicle. The smartphone may access a database in order to obtain road rules pertaining to the multi-lane road. The road rules provide information regarding a legitimate direction of travel for vehicles in each of multiple lanes and can be used by the smartphone to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a wrong direction on the multi-lane road.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for tracking and instructing assembly of flexible modular products on a single assembly line. The systems enable methods for tracking components and procedures as well as tools used in the assembly of components using various sensors and devices along the line. The systems also enable methods for instructing and tracking usage of tools for procedures. Data from various sensors, stations, nodes, and relating to each particular assembly item are stored in a distributed ledger that is verified and secured for use as a production log including each action taken on the assembly item which may later be used for audit purposes as well as to increase confidence in the assembly of product variations on the assembly line.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to, among other things, distributed ledger systems for modular vehicles. The disclosure may involve receiving, at a first ledger associated with a first node, information regarding an interaction between the first node and a second node. The same transaction information may also be received at a second ledger associated with the second node, as well as ledgers associated with any other number of nodes. The first node, second node, and any other number of nodes may be modular vehicle components. Additionally, the first ledger, second ledger, and any other number of ledgers include a set of the same information. The first node, second node, and third node may be nodes on a distributed ledger network.

Abstract: Chionophobia intervention systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes detecting snowfall from a vehicle sensor of a vehicle or a service provider, displaying a prompt on a human machine interface (HMI) to query a user regarding additional assistance in response to the detection of the snowfall, activating a first stage response after detecting the snowfall, determining when the first stage response is insufficient based on feedback received from the user, and activating a second stage response when the feedback received from the user indicates that the first stage response is insufficient.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting wrong way travel of a vehicle. In one example method, a smart device is provided in a vehicle. The smart device may be, for example, a smartphone of an occupant of the vehicle. A GPS system can be used to identify sequential location coordinates of the vehicle as the vehicle travels on a road, such as for example, a multi-lane road. The sequential location coordinates can be used to determine a direction of travel of the vehicle. The smartphone may access a database in order to obtain road rules pertaining to the multi-lane road. The road rules provide information regarding a legitimate direction of travel for vehicles in each of multiple lanes and can be used by the smartphone to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a wrong direction on the multi-lane road.

Abstract: Dead reckoning correction utilizing patterned light projection is provided herein. An example method can include navigating a drone along a pattern using dead reckoning, the pattern having a plurality of lines, detecting one of the plurality of lines using an optical sensor of the drone, determining when a line of travel of the drone is not aligned with the one of the plurality of lines, and realigning the line of travel of the drone so as to be aligned with the one of the plurality of lines to compensate for drift that occurs during navigation using dead reckoning.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying individual tapes in layers onto a substrate includes a plurality of reels, applicators, and a guide member. A first reel holds a first tape and a second reel holds a second tape. A first applicator includes a first pressure surface that receives the first tape from the first reel and presses the first tape in a direction toward the substrate to apply the first tape to the substrate. The second applicator includes a second pressure surface that receives the second tape from the second reel. The second pressure surface is aligned to dispense the second tape over a section of the first tape applied to the substrate and to press the second tape toward the substrate to apply the second tape over the first tape. The guide member is disposed between the reels and the applicators and aligns the first and second tapes during application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for platooning vehicles or other types of nodes. The platooning may involve receiving a request from a vehicle to initiate a platoon. In response to the request, another vehicle may indicate a desire to form the platoon with the requesting vehicle. Before the platoon is formed, a verification process may be performed to determine the eligibility of the vehicle to join a platoon, which may be based on a rating associated with the vehicle. Once the vehicle is verified, the platoon may be established. Upon establishment, the vehicles may proceed to coordinate actions, and a lead vehicle may be identified for the platoon. Vehicles may request to join and leave the platoon throughout the lifetime of the platoon. The platoon may eventually be dismissed, for example if the lead vehicle leaves the platoon and no one vehicle is willing and/or able to serve as lead vehicle.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a potential hydroplaning area of a roadway based on topographic data and based on vehicle sensor data, and to actuate a component of a vehicle based on a location of the potential hydroplaning area.

Abstract: Vehicle backup warning notification systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining a hazardous condition in an operating area around a vehicle based on user input of a first user at a first point in time, storing a warning message that indicates that the hazardous condition is present in the operating area, determining a second user driving the vehicle at a second point in time, determining that the stored warning message exists, and presenting the warning message for the second user driving the vehicle to notify the second user that the hazardous condition is present in the operating area.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for reducing anxiety in an occupant of a vehicle. In one exemplary method, a computer that is provided in a vehicle receives from a source such as a server computer, information that is used to determine a behavioral profile of an occupant of the vehicle. The computer utilizes the behavioral profile to identify a behavior characteristic of the occupant. The behavior characteristic is matched by the computer to one of various behavior categories such as an amaxophobia sufferer category or a controlling personality category. The computer then executes one or more operations in the vehicle based on the behavior category to which the occupant belongs. If the occupant belongs to the amaxophobia sufferer category, the computer may, for example, play an audio track, display a video clip, and/or change a driving characteristic of the vehicle.

Abstract: Automatic vehicle window control systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a first operating height of a first window of a vehicle, determining a second operating height of a second window of the vehicle, comparing the first operating height with the second operating height, and selectively adjusting the first operating height or the second operating height to be substantially equal to one another when the first operating height and the second operating height are not substantially equal.

Abstract: Dimmable external vehicle lighting and methods of use are provided herein. An example method includes determining environmental light intensity around a vehicle, determining a luminance of an external light of the vehicle, determining a difference in magnitude between the environmental light intensity and the luminance of the external light, and selectively adjusting the luminance of the external light based on the difference.

Abstract: Proximity-based vehicle security systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a napping event of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle, determining, based on signals of external sensors of the vehicle, when an object has entered one of a plurality of distance-based zones during the napping event, each of the distance-based zones being associated with a unique security response, and invoking the unique security response of the one of a plurality of distance-based zones.

Abstract: A dynamic high beam control system includes sensors, high beam headlamps including light pixels, and processors. The processors determine, via the sensors, a direction in which a person is facing. In response to determining that the person is facing the vehicle, the processors determine, via the sensors, a position of the person's face and adjust at least one of the light pixels projecting light to the person's face based on the position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a liftgate system for mitigating a liftgate from contacting an object within a closing path of the liftgate. The liftgate system includes the liftgate, a camera, and a processor. The liftgate includes a surface facing an interior of the vehicle when the liftgate is closed. The camera is disposed on the surface. The processor detects, via the camera, an object within a closing path of the liftgate. The processors estimate a trajectory of the object when the object is in motion. The processor controls the liftgate based on the estimated trajectory and a speed setting at which the liftgate closes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed describing potentially enhanced vehicle safety for passengers using blockchain. Example methods may include tracking a location of a first user using at least one device; determining a first state comprising the first user entering a vehicle with a second user; receiving a first confirmation of the first state from the device; adding a first transaction to a blockchain, the first transaction comprising a description of the first state and the first confirmation; determining a second state comprising the second user exiting the vehicle while the first user remains in the vehicle; and adding a second transaction to the blockchain, the second transaction comprising a description of the second state.