Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating tire-road friction in a vehicle pro-actively, prior to safety systems of the vehicle are engaged. An example method includes computing a slip for the vehicle based on one or more wheel speeds, acceleration, and tire pressure measurement. The method further includes determining a slope (?) as indicator of tire-road friction for the vehicle based on the acceleration and the slip. Further, the method includes sending the slope to an autonomous controller of the vehicle for adjusting vehicle kinematics according to the estimated friction using the slope.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for generating an integrated interface in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving data associated with an environment of the vehicle; encoding the environment data into a plurality of layers; extracting data from the plurality of layers into a point cloud; projecting the point cloud onto a meta-template defining a basic element and manipulable features of the basic element; and generating display data based on the projecting.

Abstract: A method of designing a nano-rectenna panel (NRP) of a vehicle includes generating one or more performance benchmarks associated with nano-rectenna devices that comprise the NRP. A material for the nano-rectenna devices is identified based on one or more of the one or more performance benchmarks. The method also includes designing the NRP based on the material.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating tire-road friction in a vehicle pro-actively, prior to safety systems of the vehicle are engaged. An example method includes computing a slip for the vehicle based on one or more wheel speeds, acceleration, and tire pressure measurement. The method further includes determining a slope (?) as indicator of tire-road friction for the vehicle based on the acceleration and the slip. Further, the method includes sending the slope to an autonomous controller of the vehicle for adjusting vehicle kinematics according to the estimated friction using the slope.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mitigating motion sickness. When motion sickness is predicted, the motion sickness mitigation system alters vehicle performance, cabin conditions, and/or alerts the occupant to upcoming vehicle actions, to avoid or alleviate motion sickness. A controller includes a processor that receives an occupant profile and traffic information for an upcoming trip of the vehicle on a route. Using the occupant profile and the traffic information, the processor calculates whether the occupant will experience motion sickness when the vehicle travels on the route. A vehicle performance signal correlated to the calculation, is delivered by the processor to initiate motion sickness mitigation. The vehicle performance signal varies operation of a steering actuator, an acceleration actuator, and/or a brake actuator to implement the motion sickness mitigation.

Abstract: A method of designing a nano-rectenna panel (NRP) of a vehicle includes generating one or more performance benchmarks associated with nano-rectenna devices that comprise the NRP. A material for the nano-rectenna devices is identified based on one or more of the one or more performance benchmarks. The method also includes designing the NRP based on the material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mitigating motion sickness. When motion sickness is predicted, the motion sickness mitigation system alters vehicle performance, cabin conditions, and/or alerts the occupant to upcoming vehicle actions, to avoid or alleviate motion sickness. A controller includes a processor that receives an occupant profile and traffic information for an upcoming trip of the vehicle on a route. Using the occupant profile and the traffic information, the processor calculates whether the occupant will experience motion sickness when the vehicle travels on the route. A vehicle performance signal correlated to the calculation, is delivered by the processor to initiate motion sickness mitigation. The vehicle performance signal varies operation of a steering actuator, an acceleration actuator, and/or a brake actuator to implement the motion sickness mitigation.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism includes a load bearing structure, and a carrier. The carrier is configured for supporting a load. The carrier is moveable relative to the load bearing structure in a substantially vertical direction relative to a ground surface, along a vertical axis. A load carrying spring applies a spring force that biases the carrier relative to the load bearing structure in a direction along the vertical axis. A negative stiffness device interconnects the carrier and the load bearing structure. The negative stiffness device applies a device force that biases the carrier relative to the load bearing structure in a direction along the vertical axis. The device force opposes the spring force. The device force includes a magnitude that is substantially equal to the spring force in any of a plurality of different positions of the carrier relative to the load bearing structure along the vertical axis.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for generating an integrated interface in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving data associated with an environment of the vehicle; encoding the environment data into a plurality of layers; extracting data from the plurality of layers into a point cloud; projecting the point cloud onto a meta-template defining a basic element and manipulable features of the basic element; and generating display data based on the projecting.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism includes a load bearing structure, and a carrier. The carrier is configured for supporting a load. The carrier is moveable relative to the load bearing structure in a substantially vertical direction relative to a ground surface, along a vertical axis. A load carrying spring applies a spring force that biases the carrier relative to the load bearing structure in a direction along the vertical axis. A negative stiffness device interconnects the carrier and the load bearing structure. The negative stiffness device applies a device force that biases the carrier relative to the load bearing structure in a direction along the vertical axis. The device force opposes the spring force. The device force includes a magnitude that is substantially equal to the spring force in any of a plurality of different positions of the carrier relative to the load bearing structure along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating road grip conditions. More particular, the invention relates to a system and method for computationally estimating a road condition of a road location using tire-road grip data received from at least one or a plurality of vehicles and transmitting this road condition via a network such that users may anticipate upcoming road conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mobile platforms. A mobile platform comprises a body and a radar system. The body includes a wheel assembly, and the radar system is installed on the wheel assembly.

Abstract: Vehicular radiators and other heat exchangers containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are provided, as are methods for manufacturing nanotube heat exchangers. In one embodiment, the nanotube heat exchanger includes a coolant flow passage, an airflow path, a heat exchanger core bounding at least a portion of the coolant flow passage and the airflow path. The heat exchanger core contains a plurality of CNTs configured to enhance heat transfer from a coolant conducted through the coolant flow passage to airflow directed along the airflow path during operation of the nanotube heat exchanger. The CNTs can be, for example, single walled CNTs or other CNTs incorporated into one or more regions of the heat exchanger core by applying a nanotube coating to selected surfaces of the heat exchanger core or by producing the heat exchanger core to include one or more sintered, CNT-containing components.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an electrical measurement system, which includes at least a first and a second conductor, to a movable object to measure at least one of a temperature and an electrical resistivity of the movable object includes a first and a second connector, and a first and a second contact wire. The first and the second contact wires are electrically communicable with the first and the second conductors, respectively, and are wound around at least a portion of the first and the second connectors, respectively, such that the first and the second contact wires are engageable with the movable object at a first and a second contact point, respectively. The first and the second contact wires each has a polarity. The first and the second connectors are made of a material having a higher electrical and thermal resistivity than the first and the second contact wires.

Abstract: A system and method provided on an ego-vehicle for assessing potential threats in a vehicle collision avoidance system, and/or to plan safety-allowed vehicle trajectories for vehicle path planning. The method includes detecting objects in a predetermined vicinity around the ego-vehicle, and determining the relative velocity or other measure between each detected object and the ego-vehicle. The method defines a virtual dynamic safety shield around each detected object that has a shape, size and orientation that is determined by predetermined properties related to the current state of traffic around the ego-vehicle. The method also defines an action grid around the ego-vehicle. The method assesses the threat level of a potential collision between each detected object based on how the shield for that object and the action grid interact. The interaction between the shields and the grid induces actions aimed at aborting collisions and allows for trajectory planning.

Abstract: A system and method provided on an ego-vehicle for assessing potential threats in a vehicle collision avoidance system, and/or to plan safety-allowed vehicle trajectories for vehicle path planning. The method includes detecting objects in a predetermined vicinity around the ego-vehicle, and determining the relative velocity or other measure between each detected object and the ego-vehicle. The method defines a virtual dynamic safety shield around each detected object that has a shape, size and orientation that is determined by predetermined properties related to the current state of traffic around the ego-vehicle. The method also defines an action grid around the ego-vehicle. The method assesses the threat level of a potential collision between each detected object based on how the shield for that object and the action grid interact. The interaction between the shields and the grid induces actions aimed at aborting collisions and allows for trajectory planning.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an electrical measurement system, which includes at least a first and a second conductor, to a movable object to measure at least one of a temperature and an electrical resistivity of the movable object includes a first and a second connector, and a first and a second contact wire. The first and the second contact wires are electrically communicable with the first and the second conductors, respectively, and are wound around at least a portion of the first and the second connectors, respectively, such that the first and the second contact wires are engageable with the movable object at a first and a second contact point, respectively. The first and the second contact wires each has a polarity. The first and the second connectors are made of a material having a higher electrical and thermal resistivity than the first and the second contact wires.

Abstract: An adaptive, human-machine-interaction, system and method for executing system-actions at times in accordance with performance times of past user-actions to either accommodate user habits or to modify user behavior.

Abstract: An adaptive, human-machine-interaction, system and method for executing system-actions at times in accordance with performance times of past user-actions to either accommodate user habits or to modify user behavior.

Abstract: An optical disc machine initially identifies a disc positioned in it by moving the focal point of its optical pick-up unit between an outer surface and an interior reflective data carrying surface. The time required for the focal point to travel between the two reflective layers, proportional to the distance between the layers, is compared with one or more thresholds to identify the type of disc present. Example types are CDs and DVDs that can be distinguished from each other because of different distances between their two layers. Variations in the velocity of a motive source that drive the focal point to traverse the disc are compensated in order to avoid erroneous measurements of the distance between reflective layers, and thus to avoid misidentifying the disc types. Different types of DVDs or CDs may also be identified by measurement of reflected light intensity with respect to a threshold that is updateable.