Abstract: There is provided a vehicle having a first microphone positioned to receive sounds originating from outside of the vehicle, a first analog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received by the first microphone to digital audio signals, a first key to be carried by a first driver of the vehicle, a memory having a first plurality of voice commands stored therein, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to detect proximity of the first key to the vehicle, enable a voice recognition, in response to detecting the proximity of the first key to the vehicle, process the digital audio signals received by the first microphone, after enabling the voice recognition, to detect a first voice command of the first plurality of voice commands from the first driver, and altering a first setting of the vehicle, in response to detecting the first voice command from the first driver.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle having a first microphone positioned to receive sounds originating from outside of the vehicle, a first analog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received by the first microphone to digital audio signals, a first key to be carried by a first driver of the vehicle, a memory having a first plurality of voice commands stored therein, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to detect proximity of the first key to the vehicle, enable a voice recognition, in response to detecting the proximity of the first key to the vehicle, process the digital audio signals received by the first microphone, after enabling the voice recognition, to detect a first voice command of the first plurality of voice commands from the first driver, and altering a first setting of the vehicle, in response to detecting the first voice command from the first driver.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle comprising a microphone positioned to receive sounds originated from outside of the vehicle, an analog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received by the microphone to digital audio signals, a memory storing a sound processing software and one or more known audios, and a hardware processor configured to execute the sound processing software. In one implementation the sound processing software performs comparing the digital audio signals with the one or more known audios stored in the memory, determining, in response to the comparing, a match between the digital audio signals and a first audio of the one or more known audios stored in the memory; and taking an action in response to the determining of the match between the digital audio signals and the first audio.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle comprising a microphone positioned to receive sounds originated from outside of the vehicle, an analog-to-digital converter configured to covert the sounds received by the microphone to digital audio signals, a memory storing a sound processing software and one or more known audios, and a hardware processor configured to execute the sound processing software. In one implementation the sound processing software performs comparing the digital audio signals with the one or more known audios stored in the memory, determining, in response to the comparing, a match between the digital audio signals and a first audio of the one or more known audios stored in the memory; and taking an action in response to the determining of the match between the digital audio signals and the first audio.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle temperature regulation system regulates and/or adjusts a cabin temperature based in part on a separation distance between a user and an associated vehicle. The system includes a portable transceiver, a fixed transceiver provided in the associated vehicle and configured to communicate with the portable transceiver, a temperature adjusting system configured to perform operations which adjust a temperature within a vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the fixed transceiver and the temperature adjusting system. The controller determines a distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver, and variably controls the temperature adjusting system based on the determined distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver.

Abstract: A multi-row vehicle seating arrangement includes a second row of vehicle seats including a first lateral side seat, a second lateral side seat, and a center seat disposed between the first and second lateral side seats. The center seat has a pair of spaced apart seat anchors fixably secured thereto for securing a child seat to the center seat.

Abstract: A shift mode system and method of operating includes a switch assembly that selectively and alternately connects a shift selector to one of the steering column and the steering wheel. In an exemplary embodiment, the switch assembly has a first locking member to connect the shift selector to the steering column, and a second locking member for connecting the shift selector to the steering wheel. A lever has first and second operative positions to selectively engage the first and second locking members or pins from the shifter into operative engagement with one of first and second cable reels, respectively.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle temperature regulation system regulates and/or adjusts a cabin temperature based in part on a separation distance between a user and an associated vehicle. The system includes a portable transceiver, a fixed transceiver provided in the associated vehicle and configured to communicate with the portable transceiver, a temperature adjusting system configured to perform operations which adjust a temperature within a vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the fixed transceiver and the temperature adjusting system. The controller determines a distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver, and variably controls the temperature adjusting system based on the determined distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver.

Abstract: A motor vehicle and methods are presented in which side facing laser scanner sensors are used to detect road profile conditions and road obstructions in adjacent lanes and the profile information is used to update a central database for active suspension control in vehicles subsequently traveling along the scanned roadway.

Abstract: A shift mode system and method of operating includes a switch assembly that selectively and alternately connects a shift selector to one of the steering column and the steering wheel. In an exemplary embodiment, the switch assembly has a first locking member to connect the shift selector to the steering column, and a second locking member for connecting the shift selector to the steering wheel. A lever has first and second operative positions to selectively engage the first and second locking members or pins from the shifter into operative engagement with one of first and second cable reels, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-row vehicle seating arrangement includes a second row of vehicle seats including a first lateral side seat, a second lateral side seat, and a center seat disposed between the first and second lateral side seats. The center seat has a pair of spaced apart seat anchors fixably secured thereto for securing a child seat to the center seat.