Abstract: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.

Abstract: Parking settings and map data indicative of parking locations in proximity to a structure that are available for the vehicle are maintained to a memory of a vehicle, the parking settings indicating a first time at which the vehicle is to enter an automatic parking mode in which the vehicle moves among the parking locations in proximity to the structure, and a second time at which the vehicle is to exit the automatic parking mode. In the automatic parking mode, responsive to the parking settings indicating an automated parking movement, the parking locations are selected from to determine a parking location into which to move the vehicle and the automated parking movement is performed using a virtual drive system of the vehicle to move the vehicle from a current parked location in proximity to the structure to the determined parking location in proximity to the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for prioritizing vehicle charging using energy from renewable/low carbon emission energy sources over non-renewable/high carbon emission energy sources. The proposed systems and methods allow users to identify when to charge their vehicles and/or when to provide energy from their vehicles to other structures based on a currently available energy source mixture and in a manner that minimizes the impact to the environment. In-vehicle connectivity may be utilized to obtain real-time grid information, and a charging schedule may then be created that intelligently prioritizes charging during times when an energy mixture percentage available from renewable/low carbon emission sources exceeds a predefine threshold or when a real-time emissions level is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to providing assistance services to a disabled vehicle. In an example embodiment, a method executed by a first processor in a vehicle may involve detecting an event that places the vehicle in a disabled condition; transmitting information associated with the event to a second processor; and detecting an arrival of a assistance vehicle that is dispatched by the second processor based on an automated evaluation of the information associated with the event. The second processor, which can be, for example, a part of a server computer, may evaluate the information in order to identify an assistance vehicle having equipment for providing the assistance service. In an example scenario, the disabled vehicle and/or the assistance vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Use of a satellite network as a source of image data for detection of off-road obstacles is provided. Image data from a satellite network is received to an OBU of a vehicle via a transceiver of the vehicle. The image data is related to an off-road location to be traversed by the vehicle. A navigation map indicating locations of any obstacles detected as being present based on an analysis of changes in the image data over time is displayed in an HMI of the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for automatically detecting internally blocked rear and side view mirrors. An example method to detect an obstruction may include detecting via sensors in the vehicle an obstruction preventing a driver from viewing a region of interest associated with a mirror, determining a permanence associated with the obstruction, and switching to a camera mode in lieu of the mirror when the obstruction has a permanence beyond a threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for virtual parking lot space allocation. An example method may include receiving, by a processor and from a first vehicle, sensor data relating to a first location. The example method may also include generating, by the processor and based on the sensor data, a first virtual parking space of a virtual parking location within the first location.

Abstract: A vehicle includes determines that vehicle computing resources will not be fully utilized during an upcoming time period and that exhaustible vehicle power reserves will not be exhausted beyond a threshold based on use of the reserves to power computing using unused computing resources during at least a portion of the time period, those resources suitable for cryptocurrency mining based at least on resource computing capability and a predicted availability of a given resource during the upcoming time period. The vehicle additionally determines a cryptocurrency to mine based on present value of the at least one cryptocurrency producing a positive yield relative to an expense of power used to mine the cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resources determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining and automatically mines the at least one cryptocurrency using the vehicle computing resource determined to be suitable for cryptocurrency mining during the upcoming time period.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine the load of a vehicle via camera-based height measurement are disclosed herein. An example vehicle described herein includes a suspension assembly associated with a wheel, a first feature, a first camera, and a processor to execute instructions to capture, via the first camera, a first image including the first feature and a second feature, the first feature and a second feature having a first spatial relationship in the first image, capture, via the first camera, a second image including the first feature and the second feature, the first feature and the second feature having a second spatial relationship in the second image, and determine, based on a difference between the first spatial relationship and the second spatial relationship, a deflection of the suspension assembly.

Abstract: Terrain characteristics of an off-road area are determined based on a map. The terrain characteristics include a terrain type, a terrain grade, and a presence or an absence of an obstacle. Vehicle characteristics are determined including a ground clearance and a breakover angle. Based on a user level, vehicle parameters for the off-road area are determined based on the terrain characteristics, the vehicle characteristics, and the user input. The vehicle parameters include a speed and a transmission gear. The vehicle parameters for the off-road area are output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an off-road feature of a vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is in an off-road area based upon a location of the vehicle and sensed terrain characteristics at the location. Upon determining that the vehicle is in the off-road area, the vehicle monitors parameters for enablement of the off-road feature of the vehicle. The off-road feature is enabled in response to the parameters being within a predetermined range based upon a number of transitions between an enabled state and a disabled state within a predetermined time being less than a transition threshold. Parameter monitoring for enablement of the off-road feature is ceased upon determining that the vehicle has moved from the off-road area to an on-road area.

Abstract: A system and method for providing calibration data for driver assist systems based on a changed ride height includes receiving sensor data from at least one of a camera, RADAR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and/or LiDAR sensor of the vehicle, determining that a ride height of the vehicle has changed based on the sensor data, retrieving calibration data for at least one driver assist system based upon the changed ride height; and operating the at least one driver assist system using the retrieved calibration data.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to determine that a vehicle is attempting to enter an area designated for off-road travel. The processors are also configured to access use-restrictions stored in a database and associated with the area, the use-restrictions defining at least one vehicle constraint required for the vehicle to travel over one or more locations that are part of the area, the use restrictions defining at least one of vehicle control limiting or vehicle weight maximums. The processors are further configured to determine whether the vehicle meets the use-restrictions based on an assessment of vehicle characteristics compared to the use-restrictions and responsive to determining that the vehicle meets the restrictions, providing the vehicle with a digital access pass to the area.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, an exhaust system, an adjustable valve, a sensor, and a controller. The engine is configured to propel a vehicle. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel. The exhaust system is configured to route exhaust away from the engine. The exhaust system has a catalyst and an outlet. The adjustable valve is disposed within the exhaust system proximate to the outlet. The sensor is configured to observe human gestures. The controller is programmed to receive signals from the sensor indicative of the human gestures while the transmission is in a parked gear. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the sensor observing a first human gesture, increase an operating speed of the engine or adjust the valve to increase a noise output from the outlet of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle having a powered tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a body, a powered tailgate pivotally connected to the body, an actuator operatively coupled to the tailgate to move the tailgate between open and closed positions, and sensors configured to sense an object in a swing path of the tailgate. The vehicle also includes a controller for processing signals output from the sensor and identifying and classifying the object, and controlling the actuator to move the tailgate between the open and closed positions based on the classified object.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from poor outdoor air quality. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify conditions associated with poor outdoor air quality and to respond to those conditions by isolating the interior of the motor vehicle from the outdoor environment. An example system includes a selector configured to permit a user to select a drive mode of the motor vehicle, a location system configured to detect a location of the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to issue one or more commands to isolate an interior of the motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location.

Abstract: A system receives indication of a request for a vehicle characteristic from a requesting party. The system determines candidate gathering vehicles for processing the request, based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the requesting party. The system sends instructions to the candidate gathering vehicles to search for the vehicle characteristic using onboard sensors. Further, the system receives sensor data from the candidate gathering vehicles and analyze the sensor data to determine sensor data indicating the vehicle characteristic. The system saves instances of the sensor data as candidate locations for a vehicle having the vehicle characteristic, along with location data included with the instances of the sensor data when the sensor data was received. The system determines a locality of the vehicle based on the saved location data saved with the instances and provides the locality to the requesting party.

Abstract: A system receives identification of an item to be loaded into a vehicle and determines dimensions of the item. The system adds the item to a total load for an identified vehicle and, based on known dimensions of available space in the identified vehicle, determines one or more candidate placement options for each of one or more items comprising the total load, within available space within the vehicle, wherein candidate placement options for each item are determined so as not to overlap with placement options for another of the one or more items within a given configuration representing placement options for all of the one or more items comprising the total load. Additionally, the system presents a visual rendering of at least one given configuration that successfully allows the total load to fit within the available space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a vehicle trailer using torque vectoring are disclosed. An example apparatus to control a trailer of a vehicle includes condition determination circuitry to determine, based on data from sensors on at least one of the trailer or the vehicle, whether a condition associated with the vehicle is satisfied, and torque control circuitry to adjust, in response to the condition being satisfied, a first torque of a first motor and a second torque of a second motor, the first motor operatively coupled to a first wheel of the trailer, the second motor operatively coupled to a second wheel of the trailer.