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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing an object on a surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a subset of detents in a plurality of detents disposed within a vehicle surface of a vehicle based upon sensor data generated by internal sensors of the vehicle, wherein the sensor data is indicative of dimensions of an object located on the vehicle surface. The method further includes transmiting a signal to an actuator of the vehicle, wherein the signal causes the actuator to extend the subset of detents from a non-extended position to an extended position, and wherein the subset of detents conforms to the dimensions of the object when the subset of detents is in the extended position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving a contact condition between a charging cable and a charging port. A charging cable may be plugged into a charging power to charge an electrical device. A charging cable may include a plug which may mate with prongs of a charging port. The plug may include sensors and a vibrator. The sensors may detect when a user intends to plug the charging cable into the charging port. Upon detection of intent to plug the charging cable into the charging port. The vibrator may be activated and may vibrate the plug. The vibration may generate relative movement between the prongs of the charging port and the plug. The movement may release dirt, dust, and corrosive materials from the charging port and plug, resulting in increased cleanliness. The movement may also assist in forming a more secure connection between the charging cable and plug.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a vehicle system when the vehicle system is under control of a user. In one embodiment, a method includes predicting a start of a user sneezing episode. The method includes identifying a plurality of phases in the user sneezing episode, and controlling the vehicle system based on which one of the plurality of phases is active.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to communicating a blending parameter. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a blending parameter that is indicative of a degree to which control of a vehicle is shared between an operator of the vehicle and an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a feedback parameter based upon the blending parameter and a psychophysical model, wherein the psychophysical model optimizes a relationship between the blending parameter and the feedback parameter such that sensory feedback based upon the feedback parameter is perceived to be proportional to the blending parameter. The method further includes causing a feedback modality of a steering apparatus of the vehicle to provide the sensory feedback based upon the feedback parameter.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adjusting a vehicle display that occludes a view of an operator in response to identifying a risk. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to determining a vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode, displaying content on at least one display within the vehicle that occludes a field-of-view (FOV) of an operator through a window of the vehicle. The method includes analyzing sensor data from at least one sensor of the vehicle to identify a risk associated with a path of the vehicle. The method includes, in response to determining the risk satisfies a risk threshold, adjusting display of the content associated with the display occluding the FOV.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to generating a response of a vehicle to a virtual rumble strip. In one embodiment, a method includes determine that a virtual boundary corresponding to a real-world location in proximity of a vehicle has been crossed as the vehicle travels based upon first sensor data generated by the vehicle. The method further includes determine information about an environment of the vehicle as the virtual boundary is crossed based upon second sensor data generated by the vehicle. The method also includes activate an actuator of a seat of the vehicle such that haptic feedback is delivered to the seat, wherein the haptic feedback is based upon the information about the environment and a type of a virtual rumble strip.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preventing headwind debris from collecting on travel direction-facing housing surfaces of a vehicle by creating protective “air cushions” in front of the travel direction-facing housing surfaces. These air cushions may divert headwind air away from the travel direction-facing housing surfaces, ensuring that headwind debris does not collect on them. Examples may create these protective air cushions by propelling high pressure air through perforated surfaces in a contrary direction to headwind.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for communicating a blending parameter via tactile feedback at a driver's seat of a vehicle (examples of tactile feedback may comprise vibrations and temperature/heat applied through the driver's seat). The blending parameter may represent the ratio between the driver's level of authority and an autonomous driving system's level of authority in performing a driving task (e.g., lateral steering). By communicating changes to a blending parameter over time, examples can help a driver form a mental picture of how the vehicle/autonomous driving system is operating. This feedback/understanding may by advantageous for various purposes such as driver coaching and helping drivers become more comfortable with autonomous driving systems.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to providing visual cues on a steering apparatus of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a difference between a current angle of a steering apparatus of a vehicle and a recommended angle of the steering apparatus. The method further includes illuminating a region of a grip of the steering apparatus based upon the difference and a position of a hand of an operator of the vehicle on the grip. The method additionally includes unilluminating the region as the steering apparatus is rotated from the current angle to the recommended angle.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to remotely assisting an operator that is impaired using alerts from a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a first vehicle using a communications network, assistance information about an operator and a second vehicle near the first vehicle, wherein the assistance information indicates a state of the operator and a position of the second vehicle. The method also includes, upon approving an action according to the state and the position, selecting an alert that changes the state according to the position and attributes determined according to sensor data of the first vehicle. The method also includes activating the alert by the first vehicle.

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: A system is provided for implementing steering wheel controls, namely a center indicator on a decouplable steering wheel that is visible to the driver. The center indication controls provide a center indicator for a temporarily decouplable steering wheel, where the center indicator is visibly generated on the steering wheel. A system includes center indicator devices that are disposed along a perimeter on a steering wheel. A controller determines a position on the steering wheel that corresponds to a center position, and selects one of the plurality of center indicator devices at the determined center position on the steering wheel. The selected center indicator device produces feedback to the driver to indicate the center position on the steering wheel. Feedback from the center indicator allows drivers to be better aware of the steering wheel's position and to make safe and/or accurate maneuvers until the steering wheel is properly recoupled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving driver attention awareness are disclosed herein. One embodiment monitors the attention status of the driver of a vehicle; detects, based on the monitoring, the commencement of a distracted-driving incident; records, during the distracted-driving incident, information pertaining to the distracted-driving incident; detects, based on the monitoring, the end of the distracted-driving incident; and reports, at the earliest opportunity after the end of the distracted-driving incident and prior to the conclusion of the current trip, the information to the driver.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adapting notifications according to monitoring states of a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data associated with an operator of a vehicle. The method also includes determining an operator state from the sensor data. The method also includes computing a difference of the operator state to a parameter associated with monitoring a component in the vehicle. The method also includes adapting a notification associated with the component by a controller according to the difference.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory has a human-machine interface module having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify, based on sensor data regarding a vehicle and an environment in which the vehicle operates, an event in which the vehicle should perform an autonomous steering maneuver determined by an autonomous driving system. The instructions further cause the processor to, in response to identifying the event, decouple control of a steering rack of the vehicle by a handwheel of the vehicle and reduce a rational movement of the handwheel from a normal range to a restricted range, and determine, by the autonomous driving system, the autonomous steering maneuver to be performed by the vehicle influenced by an angle of the handwheel detected by the processor when the rotational movement of the handwheel is in the restricted range.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory has a human-machine interface module having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify, influenced by sensor data regarding a vehicle and an environment in which the vehicle operates, an event in which the vehicle should perform an autonomous steering maneuver determined by an autonomous driving system. The instructions further cause the processor to, in response to identifying the event, decouple control of a steering rack of the vehicle by a handwheel of the vehicle and lock the handwheel to prevent the handwheel from substantially moving. The instructions further cause the processor to determine, by the autonomous driving system, the autonomous steering maneuver to be performed by the vehicle influenced by an isometric torque input applied to the handwheel and detected by the processor when the handwheel is locked.

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 for guiding a vehicle occupant's attention are disclosed herein. One embodiment selects automatically a particular region of an environment external to a vehicle and guides an occupant of the vehicle to look at the particular region by automatically adjusting the transparency of one or more windows of the vehicle such that a first portion of the one or more windows through which the occupant is able to see the particular region is more transparent than a second portion of the one or more windows that is adjacent to the first portion.

Abstract: A system for contemporaneously calibrating a gaze-tracking system and authorizing access to a first other system can include a processor and a memory. The memory can store a preliminary operations module, an authorization module, and a gaze-tracking module. The preliminary operations module can include instructions to compare a trajectory, of a point of gaze of an eye, with a pattern associated both with a calibration of the gaze-tracking system and with a first authorization process, that excludes an iris recognition process, for the first other system. The authorization module can include instructions to cause an access to the first other system to be authorized. The gaze-tracking module can include instructions to: (1) cause the gaze-tracking system to be calibrated and (2) cause, in response to the gaze-tracking system being calibrated, the gaze-tracking system to be configured to be a user interface for a second other system.