Abstract: A system of a semi-autonomous driving vehicle for transitioning from a semi-autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode. A navigation system to determine a route to a destination. A vehicle head unit to receive data that comprises information related to a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited along the determined route to the destination. A processor to process the received data to determine if the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in autonomous mode is approaching a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited. The semi-autonomous driving vehicle issues a notification to the driver of the semi-autonomous driving vehicle requesting the driver to manually drive the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in response to a determination that the semi-autonomous driving vehicle is approaching the geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited.

Abstract: A system of a semi-autonomous driving vehicle for transitioning from a semi-autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode. A navigation system to determine a route to a destination. A vehicle head unit to receive data that comprises information related to a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited along the determined route to the destination. A processor to process the received data to determine if the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in autonomous mode is approaching a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited. The semi-autonomous driving vehicle issues a notification to the driver of the semi-autonomous driving vehicle requesting the driver to manually drive the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in response to a determination that the semi-autonomous driving vehicle is approaching the geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited.

Abstract: A method controls a climate control system in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying climate control information on a primary display, determining that a hand is approaching a manual control element for the climate control system, and displaying climate control information on a secondary display while the hand is approaching the manual control element, before the hand touches the manual control element, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the occupant of the vehicle when it is needed, before the climate control system is adjusted.

Abstract: A system of a semi-autonomous driving vehicle for transitioning from a semi- autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode. A navigation system to determine a route to a destination. A vehicle head unit to receive data that comprises information related to a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited along the determined route to the destination. A processor to process the received data to determine if the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in autonomous mode is approaching a geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited. The semi-autonomous driving vehicle issues a notification to the driver of the semi-autonomous driving vehicle requesting the driver to manually drive the semi-autonomous driving vehicle in response to a determination that the semi-autonomous driving vehicle is approaching the geographic zone in which autonomous driving is discouraged or prohibited.

Abstract: A method controls a transmission in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying transmission information on a primary display, determining when a hand is approaching a gear selector, and initiating a display of, and then displaying, gear selection information on a secondary display when the hand is approaching the gear selector, before the hand touches the gear selector, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the driver when it is needed, before the gear is shifted.

Abstract: A method operates a seat belt system in a motor vehicle. The method uses a 3-D imaging system to determine when a tongue of the seat belt system is approaching a buckle of the seat belt system. A buckle presenter extends the buckle from a seat of the motor vehicle, toward an occupant of the motor vehicle when the 3-D imaging system determines that the tongue is approaching the buckle.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle includes a control panel that receives user inputs. The control panel includes a contact sensor and a face plate that extends over the contact sensor. The face plate has a plurality of control elements that interact with the contact sensor during use of the control panel.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system for controlling electrical systems of a vehicle includes a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a left hand of a driver on a steering wheel of the vehicle and a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a right hand of the driver on the steering wheel of the vehicle. Using data from the sensors, a controller may select, based on a prediction, one or more interactive control elements with which the driver will interact, wherein the selection is based on either a detected absence of the driver left hand on the steering wheel or a detected absence of the driver right hand on the steering wheel, and a controller increases a brightness of lighting elements associated with the selected interactive control elements.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system for controlling electrical systems of a vehicle includes a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a left hand of a driver on a steering wheel of the vehicle and a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a right hand of the driver on the steering wheel of the vehicle. Using data from the sensors, a controller may select, based on a prediction, one or more interactive control elements with which the driver will interact, wherein the selection is based on either a detected absence of the driver left hand on the steering wheel or a detected absence of the driver right hand on the steering wheel, and a controller increases a brightness of lighting elements associated with the selected interactive control elements.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle includes a control panel that receives user inputs. The control panel includes a contact sensor and a face plate that extends over the contact sensor. The face plate has a plurality of control elements that interact with the contact sensor during use of the control panel.

Abstract: A method controls a transmission in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying transmission information on a primary display, determining when a hand is approaching a gear selector, and initiating a display of, and then displaying, gear selection information on a secondary display when the hand is approaching the gear selector, before the hand touches the gear selector, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the driver when it is needed, before the gear is shifted.

Abstract: A method operates a seat belt system in a motor vehicle. The method uses a 3-D imaging system to determine when a tongue of the seat belt system is approaching a buckle of the seat belt system. A buckle presenter extends the buckle from a seat of the motor vehicle, toward an occupant of the motor vehicle when the 3-D imaging system determines that the tongue is approaching the buckle.

Abstract: A method controls a climate control system in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying climate control information on a primary display, determining that a hand is approaching a manual control element for the climate control system, and displaying climate control information on a secondary display while the hand is approaching the manual control element, before the hand touches the manual control element, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the occupant of the vehicle when it is needed, before the climate control system is adjusted.