Abstract: A Hold Down Release Mechanism, HDRM, interface for attachment of a spacecraft to an adjacent structure of a launch vehicle or another spacecraft, wherein the HDRM interface is configured for forming part of a single or multi-point releasable attachment of the spacecraft to said adjacent structure. The HDRM interface includes first and second connector parts, wherein one of the first and second connector parts is fastened to said adjacent structure, and other is fastened to the spacecraft; wherein the first connector part has a tapered projection with a non-circular external surface; wherein the second connector part has a tapered recess with a non-circular interior surface configured for form-lockingly receiving the tapered projection, for enabling transfer of torsion and shear load between the first and second connector parts, when the tapered projection is inserted in the tapered recess and the first and second connector parts are pressed together.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for using a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device in a motor vehicle, including determining a first descriptor; determining a second descriptor; identifying corresponding environment signatures in the first descriptor and the second descriptor. Each of the indicators of an environment signature being configured to take a value representative of one of the following four states: distance away outside of a first predetermined range of distances; distance away in a lower segment of said first predetermined range of distances; distance away in an upper segment of said first predetermined range of distances; distance away substantially equal, to within a predetermined factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be configured for providing preemptive reenergizing alerts designed to alert vehicle users to reenergize their vehicles in anticipation of power disruption conditions. Weather related data and/or grid related data may be leveraged for predicting the likelihood of power disruption conditions of a grid power source. When power disruption conditions are likely to increase the cost of energy by greater than a predefined threshold, one or more reenergizing alerts may be automatically communicated for alerting the users of the need to reenergize (e.g., refuel, recharge, etc.) their vehicles. Preemptively alerting users to reenergize their vehicles in this manner may ensure that the vehicle will be available for use as a backup power source during actual power disruption conditions.

Abstract: A braking control system includes a regenerative brake controller, a friction brake controller, and a master controller. The regenerative brake controller, in response to absence of expected communication between the master controller and regenerative brake controller, decreases regenerative braking. The master controller, in response to detecting the decrease in regenerative braking, commands the friction brake controller to increase friction braking.

Abstract: A vehicle determines a current state of charge of the vehicle and a current battery temperature of a battery of the vehicle. The vehicle, based on at least the state of charge and battery temperature, determines a charge acceptance rate for the battery and determines if the acceptance rate meets at least one predefined parameter for charging. The vehicle finds at least one charging station within a predefined proximity for which one or more known charge provision characteristics allow the at least one predefined parameter to be met, responsive to the acceptance rate meeting the at least one predefined parameter, and displays a location of the at least one charging station.

Abstract: A system forming packaging template or boxes from a sheet material includes an infeed and separation assembly, a print assembly downstream of the infeed and separation assembly, and a cut and crease assembly downstream of the print assembly. The system can also include an erecting assembly and an outfeed assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products related to a cable-based measuring system. The cable-based measuring system includes a cable, comprising an inner cable member configured to move linearly within an outer cable housing. The measuring system also includes a measuring device configured to generate measurement information regarding movement of the inner cable member relative to the outer cable housing using one or more encoders. A computer system receives the measurement information from the measuring device. The measurement information indicates length as a function of time, and represents three orthogonal dimensional measurements of a three-dimensional object. Based on the measurement information, the computer system identifies a length of each dimensional measurement, including a length, a width, and a height of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method for estimating the speed of a vehicle, including a scanning lidar sensor acquiring a point cloud, each point associated with an initial three-dimensional position, a time stamp, and an azimuth and elevation orientation of the line of sight of the lidar sensor. The computer processing the point cloud, including: detecting at least one object represented by a subset of points of the point cloud; determining a corrected position of a plurality of points of the object corresponding to the same azimuth or elevation value of the line of sight of the lidar sensor, the corrected positions of the plurality of points being aligned in a reference direction; and determining a relative speed between the ego-vehicle and the object, based on a difference between a corrected position and an initial position of at least one point of the object, and based on the time stamp associated with the point.

Abstract: Vehicle-based media collection systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a request to obtain media from a camera positioned on a vehicle, receiving a request to dispatch the vehicle for a Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) service along a route, receiving media obtained by the camera as the vehicle it traverses the route, and transmitting the media to a computing device to a recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a power output strategy at a track. In one example, a method may include customizing the power output strategy in response to user inputs. The power output strategy may be associated with a user profile stored in an application, the user profile further comprising items desired by the user for a track day along with post-track day debriefs including data with regard to previous track days.

Abstract: A weighted sum of factors indicating that a charger device of a vehicle is required for a route to be traversed by the vehicle is computed. A charger presence signal indicating that the charger device is not present within the vehicle is identified. A remind signal is sent to an HMI to cause the HMI to display a reminder, the reminder indicating that the vehicle charger device should be brought into the vehicle for traversing the route.

Abstract: A system that converts sheet material into packaging templates includes a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the sheet material as the sheet material moves through the converting machine in a first direction. The converting assembly may be mounted on a frame such that the converting assembly is elevated above a support surface. One or more longhead converting tools performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a first direction and a crosshead converting tool performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a second direction in order to create packaging templates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products related to a cable-based measuring system. The cable-based measuring system includes a cable, comprising an inner cable member configured to move linearly within an outer cable housing. The measuring system also includes a measuring device configured to generate measurement information regarding movement of the inner cable member relative to the outer cable housing using one or more encoders. A computer system receives the measurement information from the measuring device. The measurement information indicates length as a function of time, and represents three orthogonal dimensional measurements of a three-dimensional object. Based on the measurement information, the computer system identifies a length of each dimensional measurement, including a length, a width, and a height of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery having a plurality of cells arranged in arrays and grouped into a plurality of cooling zones. A thermal management system includes a plurality of distinct circuits each associated with one of the zones. The thermal management system is configured to provide individual heating or cooling to each of the circuits to independently control temperatures of the zones. A controller is programmed to, in response to one of the zones exceeding a first threshold temperature and another of the zones being less a second threshold temperature, command the thermal management system to provide cooling to the circuit associated with the one of the zones and command the thermal management system to provide heating to the circuit associated with the another of the zones.

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: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.

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: A sensor-cleaning system includes a sensor of a vehicle, an electrode, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electrode. The sensor includes a lens. The electrode is positioned to draw dust from the lens when the electrode is energized. The computer is programmed to energize the electrode in response to the vehicle moving and deenergize the electrode in response to the vehicle being stationary.