Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive a request to activate an external interface movement mode associated with the vehicle to enable a vehicle movement control via an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to a vehicle exterior surface. The processor may be configured to obtain the request from the transceiver and determine that a predefined condition may be met responsive to obtaining the request. The processor may be further configured to activate the external interface movement mode responsive to determining that the predefined condition may be met. In addition, the processor may output a notification via a vehicle exterior light and/or a vehicle speaker responsive to activating the external interface movement mode.

Abstract: An interface configured to be removably attached to a vehicle exterior surface is disclosed. The interface may include a sensor unit configured to receive user inputs associated with at least one of a vehicle longitudinal movement and a vehicle steering wheel rotation. The interface may further include an interface communication module communicatively coupled with the sensor unit. The interface communication module may be configured to communicatively couple with a vehicle communication module when the interface may be attached to the vehicle exterior surface. The interface communication module may further obtain the user inputs from the sensor unit when the interface communication module may be coupled with the vehicle communication module, and transmit the user inputs to the vehicle communication module to cause a vehicle movement based on the user inputs.

Abstract: An interface including a first detection unit, a second detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The first detection unit may be configured to detect a user intent to cause a vehicle movement via the interface. The second detection unit may be configured to receive movement inputs to cause the vehicle movement. The processor may determine that a user intends to cause the vehicle movement based on inputs obtained from the first detection unit, and determine that the movement inputs are received by the second detection unit within a predefined time duration of determining that the user intends to cause the vehicle movement, based on inputs obtained from the second detection unit. The processor may further transmit a command signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle movement based on the movement inputs, responsive to determining that the movement inputs are received within the predefined time duration.

Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver, a vehicle sensor unit and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive interface information from an interface sensor unit associated with an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to a plurality of connection ports disposed on the vehicle. The vehicle sensor unit may be configured to determine vehicle information associated with at least one of a vehicle movement and the plurality of connection ports. The processor may obtain the interface information and/or the vehicle information. The processor may further determine an interface location relative to the vehicle based on the interface information and/or the vehicle information. Further, the processor may control a vehicle speed and/or a vehicle steering wheel rotation based on the interface location.

Abstract: A vehicle including a rear closure, a detection unit and a notification unit is disclosed. The rear closure may move between a closed state and an open state. The detection unit may detect vehicle access device position in proximity to the vehicle. The notification unit may output visual and/or audible notifications. The vehicle may further include a processor that may determine that the vehicle access device has entered a predefined zone in proximity to a vehicle rear portion based on inputs from the detection unit. The processor may activate the notification unit to output notifications for a predefined time duration responsive to determining that the vehicle access device has entered the predefined zone. The processor may further determine a time duration the vehicle access device stays in the predefined zone. The processor may cause the rear closure to open when the time duration is greater than the predefined time duration.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powerplant and a body. The body defines a passenger cabin and a box and having a tailgate mounted to the box. A step assembly is associated with the box and includes a step and a handle. The handle has a sensor configured to receive input from a user located outside of the passenger cabin and output a signal when the input is active. A controller is programmed to, in response to the signal being received, command a torque to the powerplant to propel the vehicle based on the signal.

Abstract: A closure release method includes monitoring a pressure between a closure of a vehicle and a frame of the vehicle when the closure is closed against the frame. The method further includes detecting a change in the pressure, and releasing the closure from a closed position in response to the change.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be based on comparing an engine off opportunity and a plurality of auxiliary logic performances. The plurality of auxiliary logic performances may be based on a plurality of auxiliary control routine blocks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be based on comparing an engine off opportunity and a plurality of auxiliary logic performances. The plurality of auxiliary logic performances may be based on a plurality of auxiliary control routine blocks.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, the exhaust gas may be routed to drive an air turbine of an air compression system. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a pump comprising two pistons is driven via engine exhaust gases. On piston within the pump moves in response to the exhaust gases while the other piston acts to compress air.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, the exhaust gas may be routed to drive an air turbine of an air compression system. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air to one or more air consumers external to the engine using transmission fluid from a transmission pump are presented. In one example, the transmission fluid may be routed to drive an air compression system including two cylinders. The air compressed at the compression system may be stored in a tank and/or provided to the one or more air consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide compressed air via exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a pump comprising two pistons is driven via engine exhaust gases. On piston within the pump moves in response to the exhaust gases while the other piston acts to compress air.