Abstract: Methods, vehicle systems, and vehicles are provided that are capable of managing communication between a vehicle and a portable energy source (PES) coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle systems include a vehicle battery configured to provide electrical power to a propulsion system of the vehicle and a vehicle controller that is configured to establish two-way data communication between the vehicle controller and a PES controller of the PES, determine an energy transfer mode for transferring electrical power between the vehicle battery and a PES battery of the PES, initiate electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery in accordance with the energy transfer mode while the vehicle is being propelled by the propulsion system, receive a status of the PES battery from the PES controller, and adjust the electrical power transfer between the vehicle battery and the PES battery based on the status.

Abstract: A vehicle system for assisting a user in a parking lot includes a detection module configured to receive data relating to the parking lot and a control module. The control module is configured to detect whether an available parking space is present in the parking lot based on the received data from the detection module, determine an amount of space required by the user to exit a vehicle, determine whether the available parking space provides sufficient space for the user based on the determined amount of required space, and in response to determining that the available parking space provides sufficient space for the user, optimize a parking bias of the vehicle relative to at least one boundary of the available parking space based on the amount of space required by the user. Other example vehicle systems and methods for assisting users in parking lots are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: A method for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer, comprising: receiving, from a camera of the trailer, image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, that the camera of the trailer is at least one of partially and fully underwater; in response to the determining, determining, by the processor, at least one of underwater image data and underwater guideline data based on a correction factor associated with the water and the image data; and generating, by the processor, display data based on the at least one of underwater image data and underwater guidelines data.

Abstract: An anti-icing coating having a continuous phase and a discrete phase. The continuous phase includes a fluorine-containing polymer formed from a fluorine-containing precursor having a functionality of greater than 2. The discrete phase includes a plurality of domains having a fluorine-free hygroscopic and/or hydrophilic material. The plurality of domains are dispersed within the continuous phase and are immersible with the continuous phase. At least a portion of the fluorine-free material is bonded to the fluorine-containing polymer with an isocyanate-containing moiety. The fluorine-containing polymer is crosslinked with a crosslinking molecule having at least 4 functional groups. The fluorine-free material is a poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes a sensor system, a communications system and a snow clearing system. The systems and methods detect, based on data from the sensor system, snow that may accumulate on a window of the electric vehicle. When snow is detected, a notification is provided, via the communications system, to a remote user device. The notification requests user acceptance of use of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle to operate the snow clearing system of the electric vehicle. The systems and methods receive, by the communications system, a response to the notification from the user device, and when the response indicates acceptance of the use of charge of the battery, the snow clearing system is activated. The snow clearing system is powered by the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: A method for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer, comprising: receiving, from a camera of the trailer, image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, that the camera of the trailer is at least one of partially and fully underwater; in response to the determining, determining, by the processor, at least one of underwater image data and underwater guideline data based on a correction factor associated with the water and the image data; and generating, by the processor, display data based on the at least one of underwater image data and underwater guidelines data.

Abstract: Tandem charging for electric vehicles (EVs) electrically interconnected with each other. The tandem charging may include determining a plurality of EVs requesting to be charged with electrical power available from a charging station, determining charging parameters for the EVs, scheduling charging of the EVs according to the charging parameters, and/or authorizing a pecuniary charge to billing accounts of the EVs in recompense for the charging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling movement of e-pallets using multi-modal interaction with a user are provided that include: one or more first sensors configured to obtain first sensor data of a first modality pertaining to a command from the user for movement of the e-pallets; one or more second sensors configured to obtain second sensor data of a second modality, different from the first modality, pertaining to the command; and a processor that is coupled to the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors, the processor configured to at least facilitate: determining an intended movement of the e-pallets based on both the first sensor data and the second sensor data; and moving the e-pallets in executing the intended movement, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor to actuators of the e-pallets.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes a sensor system, a communications system and a snow clearing system. The systems and methods detect, based on data from the sensor system, snow that may accumulate on a window of the electric vehicle. When snow is detected, a notification is provided, via the communications system, to a remote user device. The notification requests user acceptance of use of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle to operate the snow clearing system of the electric vehicle. The systems and methods receive, by the communications system, a response to the notification from the user device, and when the response indicates acceptance of the use of charge of the battery, the snow clearing system is activated. The snow clearing system is powered by the battery.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for providing multi-trailer reverse assistance. In a multi-trailer reverse assistance system in an articulated transport system comprising a lead vehicle, an intermediate trailer, and a final trailer, the reverse assist system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a view of an environment behind the final trailer; cause the view to be displayed in a display screen of a user interface device; receive, via a secondary steering device of the user interface device, a user intended direction of travel of the articulated transport system in reverse to direct the final trailer in a desired direction; continuously calculate controllable steering angles for directing the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction; and control the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction using the calculated controllable steering angles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for providing multi-trailer reverse assistance. In a multi-trailer reverse assistance system in an articulated transport system comprising a lead vehicle, an intermediate trailer, and a final trailer, the reverse assist system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a view of an environment behind the final trailer; cause the view to be displayed in a display screen of a user interface device; receive, via a secondary steering device of the user interface device, a user intended direction of travel of the articulated transport system in reverse to direct the final trailer in a desired direction; continuously calculate controllable steering angles for directing the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction; and control the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction using the calculated controllable steering angles.

Abstract: A lens-cleaning assembly includes an ultrasonic cleaning system configured to selectively generate vibrations in a lens. The ultrasonic cleaning system is operable to selectively generate cleaning vibrations at a plurality of pulse widths. The cleaning system also includes a controller in communication with the ultrasonic cleaning system. The controller is configured to automatically determine a target pulse width among the plurality of pulse widths in response to a detected characteristic of a detected occlusion on the lens, and to automatically control the ultrasonic cleaning system to generate a cleaning vibration having the target pulse width.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lens system disposed adjacent a camera is disposed. The system may incorporate a piezoelectric (PZT) lens system having a first PZT element secured to a first peripheral portion of the lens element, which may be responsive to an alternating current (AC) signal applied to the first PZT element. An AC signal may excite the first PZT element to cause shear displacements in opposite longitudinal directions and to create an oscillating shear motion for the first PZT element. The oscillating shear motion may cause an oscillating rotational movement of the lens element that removes the environmental element from a surface of the lens element.

Abstract: A forward facing camera module is configured to, based on an image including a predetermined field of view (FOV) in front of the vehicle: determine a first distance between the vehicle and a first cyclist. A blind zone radar sensor module is configured to: determine a second distance between the vehicle and a second cyclist within a predetermined area on a side of the vehicle based on radar signals transmitted within the predetermined area. A first and second distance modules are configured to generate first and second signals when the first and second distances are decreasing, respectively. An output control module is configured to, when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is generated while a turn light for the side of the vehicle is activated, selectively generate at least one of an audible output and a visual output within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically controlling a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an actuator configured to control one or more vehicle driving characteristics, at least one vehicle sensor configured to measure a vehicle characteristic, a remote assistant in communication with the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator, the at least one vehicle sensor, and the remote assistant, the controller being programmed with an automated driving system control algorithm and configured to determine whether a failsafe condition has occurred based on sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor, receive a control signal from the remote assistant, and automatically control the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning a sensor lens cover for an optical vehicle sensor. The method includes monitoring the sensor lens cover for a contaminant obstructing at least a portion of the sensor lens cover and determining the presence of the commandant and a contaminant type using information provided by one or more vehicle sensors. A cleaning modality selected based the contaminant type is activated and it is determined whether the cleaning modality has removed the contaminant from the sensor lens cover.

Abstract: Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.

Abstract: A forward facing camera module is configured to, based on an image including a predetermined field of view (FOV) in front of the vehicle: determine a first distance between the vehicle and a first cyclist. A blind zone radar sensor module is configured to: determine a second distance between the vehicle and a second cyclist within a predetermined area on a side of the vehicle based on radar signals transmitted within the predetermined area. A first and second distance modules are configured to generate first and second signals when the first and second distances are decreasing, respectively. An output control module is configured to, when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is generated while a turn light for the side of the vehicle is activated, selectively generate at least one of an audible output and a visual output within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lens system disposed adjacent a camera is disposed. The system may incorporate a piezoelectric (PZT) lens system having a first PZT element secured to a first peripheral portion of the lens element, which may be responsive to an alternating current (AC) signal applied to the first PZT element. An AC signal may excite the first PZT element to cause shear displacements in opposite longitudinal directions and to create an oscillating shear motion for the first PZT element. The oscillating shear motion may cause an oscillating rotational movement of the lens element that removes the environmental element from a surface of the lens element.