Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a vehicle driver at a roundabout are disclosed herein. One embodiment determines that a vehicle is approaching and is within a predetermined distance from a roundabout and plays, in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in response to the determining that the vehicle is approaching and is within the predetermined distance from the roundabout, an audio prompt such that the audio prompt is panned from a first speaker on a first side of the vehicle to a second speaker on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side of the vehicle to indicate, to a driver of the vehicle, a correct direction in which to traverse the roundabout to assist the driver with regard to the roundabout being a right-hand-traffic (RHT) roundabout or a left-hand-traffic (LHT) roundabout.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting an operator in operating vehicle controls are disclosed herein. One embodiment detects that an operator is touching a control in a vehicle and automatically takes, in response to the operator touching the control, one or more actions to assist the operator with regard to the vehicle being a left-hand-drive vehicle or a right-hand-drive vehicle.

Abstract: A driver training system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a processor and a memory communicably coupled to the processor and storing a UAV control module including computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to control operation of a driver training interface operably connected to the UAV to communicate driving instruction information in a manner configured to be perceptible by a human driver in a driver training vehicle following behind the UAV.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to steering a vehicle based during loss of traction. In one arrangement, a method for steering a vehicle during loss of traction is disclosed. The method includes, responsive to detecting a slipping tire of a vehicle losing traction with a road, automatically steering the vehicle separately from an input of a steering wheel of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to follow a path. The method also includes decoupling control of a pair of front tires of the vehicle by the steering wheel. The method further includes rotating, independently of an input to the steering wheel and in parallel with steering the vehicle, the steering wheel to match an actual yaw of the vehicle.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to steering a vehicle based on an intended yaw rate during loss of traction. In one arrangement, a method for steering a vehicle during loss of traction is disclosed. The method includes detecting a slipping tire of a vehicle losing traction with a road. The method also includes decoupling control of a pair of front tires of the vehicle by a steering wheel of the vehicle. The method also includes identifying an intended yaw rate for controlling the vehicle by detecting an angle of the steering wheel while the slipping tire does not have traction. The method further includes steering the vehicle separately from an input of a steering wheel of the vehicle to cause intended yaw rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for influential control over a driver's operation of a vehicle's steering wheel. Upon issuing an autonomous control signal to control motive operation of the vehicle, an autonomous control system of the vehicle may reinforce or influence the application of the autonomous control signal by inducing or cuing to induce the driver's hand(s) to turn the vehicle's steering wheel in a particular direction or by a particular amount/with a particular level of torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modulating headlight characteristics according to a calculated probability of future unplanned disengagement of advanced driver-assistance systems or automated driving systems, collectively referred to as driving automation systems. In particular, some embodiments aim to alert drivers of both a likelihood of unplanned disengagement, as well as a source of unplanned disengagement.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to communicating alerts about a recommended speed by adapting headlight color. In one embodiment, a method includes computing a recommended speed using an automated driving system (ADS) during an operator controlling a vehicle while the ADS is disengaged. The method also includes, responsive to determining that a vehicle speed satisfies a threshold associated with the recommended speed and an offset value set according to a driving environment, adapting an alert color projected by headlights of the vehicle according to the vehicle speed and the alert color is corrected for operator perception of visible colors associated with the driving environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved and intuitive adjustment of a vehicle headrest. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may include touch sensors and/or motion sensors to determine a driver or passenger intends to adjust a vehicle headrest. Upon detection of touch consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest and/or a hand gesture consistent with intent to adjust a vehicle headrest, a system may unlock a vehicle headrest. A driver or passenger may move the unlocked vehicle headrest into the desired position. Upon detection of a condition indicating the driver or passenger is finished and/or upon a set period of time elapsing, the system may re-lock the vehicle headrest into place. A vehicle headrest adjustment system may also include a power-assist function. The power-assist function may include motors and force sensors to assist a driver or passenger in moving a vehicle headrest into a desired position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment determines a reference path for the autonomous vehicle along a roadway segment and steers the autonomous vehicle along a path that includes controlled back and forth lateral deviations from the reference path along the roadway segment to provide feedback to an occupant of the autonomous vehicle, the feedback indicating to the occupant that the autonomous vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode and that the autonomous driving mode is operating correctly.

Abstract: A distracted driver can be informed of his or her distraction by a visual notification. It can be detected whether a driver of a vehicle is focused on a non-critical object located within the vehicle. In response to detecting that the driver of the vehicle is focused on a non-critical object located within the vehicle, an amount of time the driver is focused on the non-critical object can be determined. When the amount of time exceeds a threshold amount of time, a visual notification of distracted driving can be caused to be presented on or visually adjacent to the non-critical object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle using a smart shoe device. For example, some embodiments of the application may monitor operation of a vehicle system and monitor operation of a smart shoe device. The process may determine that the smart shoe device is within a threshold period of time of performing an future action associated with commanding movement of the vehicle and enable a response by the vehicle based on the future action.

Abstract: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely steering wheel rotation locking. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology, a system may comprise a steering wheel rotation locking device; and a controller communicatively connected to the steering wheel rotation locking device to determine a presence and location of one or more objects or conditions surrounding a vehicle, and produce steering wheel control feedback to physically prevent rotational movement of a steering wheel.

Abstract: A driver training system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a processor and a memory communicably coupled to the processor and storing a UAV control module including computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to control operation of a driver training interface operably connected to the UAV to communicate driving instruction information in a manner configured to be perceptible by a human driver in a driver training vehicle following behind the UAV.

Abstract: The disclosure generally describes a system for monitoring a storage compartment of a vehicle comprising a first sensor configured to detect a loading or unloading event, a second sensor configured to capture data regarding one or more items within the storage compartment of the vehicle, wherein the second sensor captures video data of the one or more items within the storage compartment of the vehicle in response to the first sensor detecting a loading or unloading event, and a virtual imaging system configured to classify each item in the storage compartment, generate a virtual replication of each item within the storage compartment, and transmit the virtual replication to a user device.

Abstract: A system is provided for implementing trajectory analysis entry controls. A trajectory analysis entry control system is implemented in a vehicle, and supports remote and automatic entry control functions for the vehicle. For example the system triggers various automatic entry controls functions, such as remotely unlocking doors and/or a trunk of a vehicle, by tracking and analyzing a user's trajectory of movement while they are approaching the vehicle. A system includes a user identification device to identify whether a user is authorized to access the vehicle, such as a driver. The system also includes a trajectory tracking device that determines a trajectory of the user with respect to the vehicle. As the user's trajectory is determined to be approaching the vehicle, the trajectory tracking device further determines which entry point of the vehicle the user is approaching and automatically engages an automatic unlocking of that access point of the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods for assisting a driver of a vehicle that include monitoring the driver’s actions, during a first portion of time that starts when the driver begins to engage in a surveillance type action and ends when the driver ends the surveillance type action, activating one or more feedback devices, when the driver engages in a surveillance type action, monitoring the driver’s actions during a second portion of time that beings when the driver ends the surveillance type action, and ends when the driver begins the surveillance type action, and activating one or more feedback devices, during the second portion of time when the driver engages in a driving maneuver and fails to engage in the surveillance type action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for training and suggestion frameworks to improve driver operation of a vehicle. A driver may perform certain maneuvers frequently. Pairing these maneuvers with assigned stimuli may form an association in the driver's mind between the maneuver and the stimuli. A driving scenario may arise in which it would be safer, compliant, more efficient, or more effective for a driver to perform a certain maneuver. If a driver has formed a strong mental association between a maneuver and assigned stimuli, the assigned stimuli may be presented to prompt the driver to perform the maneuver. A driver may still retain ultimate control of a vehicle and may choose not to perform the maneuver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the loading or unloading of cargo in a cargo area is provided. Friction-reducing elements, such as rails, may be disposed atop a surface of the cargo area. The friction-reducing elements vibrate pursuant to the application of vibrational energy generated by one or more vibration actuators operatively connected, directly or indirectly, to the friction-reducing elements. The application of vibrational energy reduces the time that cargo contacts the friction-reducing elements, which in turn, reduces the amount of friction applied to the cargo, easing the burden of loading/unloading the cargo.

Abstract: A performance enhancement system for an electric vehicle includes a battery pack, a pump system, and a control module. The battery pack contains electrolyte fluid, and the pump system is operable to redistribute the electrolyte fluid within the battery pack. The control module may be configured to identify a vehicle usage event. The vehicle usage event may be a payload event, a pitching event, a rolling event, and/or a yawing event. In response to identifying the vehicle usage event, the control module may be configured to operate the pump system to redistribute the electrolyte fluid within the battery pack to change a static center of mass of the vehicle, a dynamic center of mass of the vehicle, and/or a moment of inertia of the vehicle.