Abstract: A system for detecting that an occupant is present in a vehicle seat. The system includes a bladder disposed in the vehicle seat, a pressure sensor, and a fluid pump. A conduit provides a single line into the bladder, a first branch of the single line connected to the fluid pump, and a second branch connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to a computing device. The computing device is programmed to detect that the occupant is present in the vehicle seat according to two or more data, including a first pressure value and a second pressure value that is detected at a time following detection of the first pressure value.

Abstract: A seatbelt payout measuring device with a rewind spring having a first end connected to a center spool and a second end connected to a rewind spring housing. A dielectric material layered immediately adjacent to the rewind spring forming a first layer and an electrolytic coil with dielectric material layered on both sides forming a second layer, isolating the rewind spring from the electrolytic coil. A capacitive measuring device having a first lead connected to the first end of the rewind spring and a second lead connected to a first end of the electrolytic coil. The capacitive measuring device measuring capacitance with belt pullout.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to request vehicle sensor data upon crash detection. Further, the processor is configured to assemble the data into a graphic representation of a vehicle, including graphic representations of conditions represented by sensor data. The processor is also configured to send the graphic representation to an emergency operator in communication with a vehicle computing system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front seating assembly and a rear seating assembly. An occupant sensor senses occupancy of the front seating assembly. A proximity sensor senses an object in a footwell behind the front seating assembly. A rear door sensor senses the opening of a rear door. A controller activates an actuator to move the front seating assembly forward based on the sensed occupancy, a sensed object, and sensed door opening. A method of controlling a vehicle seating assembly includes the steps of: sensing the front seating assembly is unoccupied with the occupant sensor; detecting in the footwell behind the front seating assembly with the proximity sensor; sensing a rear door position with the door sensor; and moving the front seating assembly forward when the front seating assembly is unoccupied, an object is in the footwell, and the rear door is in an open position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that communicates with a wearable device having a haptic mechanism. In response to an alert event detected by the vehicle, the controller outputs a signal to activate the haptic mechanism. The wearable device may detect a physiological or biometric characteristic such as pulse rate. The controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism further in response to the pulse rate being less than a threshold. Also, the controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism while the vehicle is operating autonomously.

Abstract: A seatbelt payout measuring device with a rewind spring having a first end connected to a center spool and a second end connected to a rewind spring housing. A dielectric material layered immediately adjacent to the rewind spring forming a first layer and an electrolytic coil with dielectric material layered on both sides forming a second layer, isolating the rewind spring from the electrolytic coil. A capacitive measuring device having a first lead connected to the first end of the rewind spring and a second lead connected to a first end of the electrolytic coil. The capacitive measuring device measuring capacitance with belt pullout.

Abstract: A vehicle voice processor includes a processing device and a data storage medium. The processing device is programmed to receive identification information from a wearable device, identify a speaker from the identification information, identify a dialect associated with the speaker from the identification information, select a predetermined acoustic model, and adjust the predetermined acoustic model based at least in part on the dialect identified.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly includes a seatbelt, a conductive sensing conductor and a conductive shield. The seatbelt has a lap band. The conductive sensing conductor is fixed to a first side of the lap band. The conductive shield is fixed to a second side of the lap band and is substantially aligned with and substantially overlaps the sensing conductor. An insulating layer is disposed between the sensing conductor and the conductive shield.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device including a memory and a processor. The processor receives a verbal input for a vehicle from a user. The processor interprets the verbal input to locate in the memory at least one datum predetermined to be interpretable by the vehicle computer. The processor generates a message corresponding to the verbal input including the at least one datum, and sends the message to the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless-based system is provided for opening the hood of a motor vehicle. That wireless-based system includes a wireless latch release actuator. Further, the wireless-based system also includes a controller. The controller is configured to release a secondary hood latch when (a) the wireless latch release actuator is activated, (b) a primary hood latch has already been released and (c) a motor vehicle wheel is stationary whereby the hood may be opened. A related hood opening method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor and an autonomous mode controller configured to receive signals generated by the autonomous driving sensor. The autonomous mode controller controls at least one vehicle subsystem based at least in part on the signals received. Furthermore, the autonomous mode controller is configured to shade at least one vehicle window when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.

Abstract: A vehicle is selected by the server to perform a ride-share. A seating location within the vehicle is identified. The seating location and personalized ride-sharing settings for the user account are sent to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to precondition the seating location according to the settings, prior to the user entering the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of in-vehicle tracking that may begin with establishing a communication link between a mobile device and a navigation system of a vehicle. The navigation system may present driving instructions leading to a destination. Each of a plurality of locations may be serially passed over the communication link from the mobile device to the navigation system. Additionally, each of the plurality of locations may be serially set, as it is communicated, as the destination within the navigation system. As the destination within the navigation system is updated, the driving instructions leading to that destination may be updated as well.

Abstract: An airbag includes folds with each fold having an apex and limbs. The limbs extend from the apex to the limbs of an adjacent fold. A fastener is fixed to the folds and releasably connects the folds to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a primary door body having a receiver, a removable interior door panel and a retainer. That retainer secures the removable interior door panel to the receiver. A related method of enhancing the ease of ingress and egress from a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of antennas, positioned to be capable of receiving a wireless near field communication (NFC) device signal associated with a device located in any one of a driver's back pocket or front pocket, a center console or a passenger seat. The system also includes an NFC reader, in communication with the plurality of antennas. The NFC reader is operable to assign, based at least in part on a number of signals received and a signal strength, one of one or more devices associated with detected signals to a driver. The NFC reader is in communication with a vehicle computing system, operable to retrieve additional information associated with the device assigned to the driver and to apply that information to control vehicle settings.

Abstract: A motor vehicle secondary hood latch release mechanism comprises a striker, a primary hood latch, and a secondary hood latch. A remote secondary hood latch release device actuates the secondary hood latch only after a primary hood latch switch provides a signal to the controller indicating that the primary hood latch is in the disengaged position. A hood sensor provides a signal when the hood has been lifted to the open condition. The controller actuates the secondary hood latch to the disengaged position for a prescribed period of time upon actuation of a vehicle system input device, and thereafter the controller actuates the secondary hood latch to the engaged position upon the earlier of expiration of the prescribed time or the hood sensor providing the signal to the controller that the hood has been lifted to the open condition.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of vehicle-deployed wireless transmitters and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is further configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on the distance from the mobile device to each of the respective transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect an operating condition of a first vehicle based on at least one sensor of a second vehicle in communication with the processor. The processor is also configured to wirelessly broadcast the operating condition or associated alert including any vehicle identifying traits of the first vehicle as detected by the second-vehicle sensor or other detection systems of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive data values from a sensor to detect infrared light. The sensor is in a line of sight to a vehicle foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that an object is present in the foot well. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that there is no object in the foot well.