Abstract: A trailer maneuver assistance system and method provide for alerting a vehicle operator to possible obstacles within a predicted path of trailer. The predicted path is determined based on at least one sensor system mounted to the trailer and a determination that a detected obstacle is within the predicted path.

Abstract: A user assisted method and vehicle control system provides for identifying a drivable area for autonomous vehicle operation. The system provides for displaying an area including a potential drivable area on a display device disposed within a vehicle, a means for identifying a drivable area by a vehicle operator and for storing information indicative of a drivable area indicated by the vehicle operator in a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system utilizes the identified drivable area for generating a vehicle path with the vehicle control system.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for performing a trailer operation for a vehicle having a tow ball. The method includes receiving a first image from a rear camera disposed along a rear portion of the vehicle in a first position; and detecting a pixel position of a representation of the tow ball in the first image. Following the rear camera being moved from the first position to a second position along the rear portion of the vehicle, the method includes receiving a second image from the rear camera. The method also includes detecting a second pixel position of a representation of the tow ball in the second image; and estimating a position of the tow ball relative to the vehicle based on the first and second positions of the rear camera and the detected pixel positions of the representations of the tow ball in the first and second images.

Abstract: A method system for aligning an autonomous vehicle path within an enclosed parking space provides for detecting sides of an opening of an enclosed parking space with at least one sensor system disposed on a vehicle, determining a width of the opening based on a spacing between the detected sides of the opening with a controller of the vehicle, defining a target center point based on the determined spacing with the controller and aligning a vehicle path with the defined target center point.

Abstract: A trailer maneuver assistance system and method provide for alerting a vehicle operator to possible obstacles within a predicted path of trailer. The predicted path is determined based on at least one sensor system mounted to the trailer and a determination that a detected obstacle is within the predicted path.

Abstract: A method for avoiding a vehicle undercarriage collision includes identifying an object within a field of view of a vehicle with at least one sensor. a size of the object is determined by comparing the size of the object to a predetermined height of the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driveway departure system for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a processing device configured to define a path for backing the vehicle along a drivable surface of the driveway that maintains the vehicle on the drivable surface of the driveway and to operate a vehicle system to back the vehicle along the defined path and on the detected drivable surface.

Abstract: A simultaneous localization and mapping system for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes a plurality of sensors disposed within a vehicle operable to detect an object proximate the vehicle and generate a plurality of data points representing sensor returns corresponding to the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive the data points representing the sensor returns of the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, to define an occupancy grid based on the data points and to generate vehicle operating instructions based on the defined occupancy grid, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one geometric anchor from the detected data points and localizing the vehicle based on the at least one geometric anchor.

Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes creating a map of a parking environment utilizing data from at least one sensor coupled to a vehicle. The method further includes storing the map in a data storage device. The method also includes receiving a first learn signal indicating that the vehicle is located in a first parking position. The method further includes determining a first set of spatial data indicative of the location of the vehicle relative to the map in response to receiving the first learn signal. The method also includes storing the first set of spatial data in the data storage device.

Abstract: A simultaneous localization and mapping system for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes a plurality of sensors disposed within a vehicle operable to detect an object proximate the vehicle and generate a plurality of data points representing sensor returns corresponding to the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive the data points representing the sensor returns of the detected objects surrounding the vehicle, to define an occupancy grid based on the data points and to generate vehicle operating instructions based on the defined occupancy grid, wherein the controller is configured to define at least one geometric anchor from the detected data points and localizing the vehicle based on the at least one geometric anchor.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer assist system is configured to display a plurality of target areas to a vehicle operator for the vehicle operator to select. The vehicle operator selects a target area on a trailer for tracking and using in determining a relative orientation with the vehicle. The system records selected target area and determines a relative orientation between a trailer and a tow vehicle based on a relative position between the features in the selected target area on the trailer and the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A system that can detect a driver's condition and as a result, activates one or more of the manually disabled safety features and substantially reduces chances of an accident. Additional actions to alert the driver can occur including, but not limited to, vibration of seats, pedals, and steering wheel, pumping the brakes, blasting the radio could occur. A method includes detecting driver condition of a driver, enabling one or more vehicle safety features of a vehicle and overriding disabled one or more vehicle safety features if: driver impairment is detected while detecting driver condition, and vehicle safety features have been disabled by the driver or a passenger.

Abstract: A trailer reverse assist system includes a coupler angle detection sensor to detect a zero degree angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle. A drift controller receives signals from vehicle dynamics sensors. The drift controller is electrically connected with a trailer reverse assist module. When the vehicle is backing up the trailer on the intended straight line implied path and since the coupler angle sensor, detecting the zero degree angle, is not perfectly calibrated, based in the signals from the vehicle dynamics sensors, the drift controller 1) estimates a distance that the trailer has drifted from the straight line desired path and 2) in a closed-loop feedback manner, provides a drift correction signal to the trailer reverse assist module for modifying the value of the zero degree angle and thus cause adjustment of the steering system to realign the trailer towards the straight line implied path without manual steering intervention.

Abstract: A method for determining a length of a trailer attached to a tow vehicle having one or more sensors positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle facing the trailer is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a data processing hardware in communication with the one or more sensors, first sensor data associated with a first position of the tow vehicle. The method includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, second sensor data associated with a second position of the tow vehicle. The second position is different from the first position. The method also includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, third sensor data associated with a third position of the tow vehicle. The third position is different from the first position and the second position. The method includes determining, at the data processing hardware, a length of the trailer based on the first, second, and third sensor data.

Abstract: A trailer reverse assist system includes a coupler angle detection sensor to detect a zero degree angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle. A drift controller receives signals from vehicle dynamics sensors. The drift controller is electrically connected with a trailer reverse assist module. When the vehicle is backing up the trailer on the intended straight line implied path and since the coupler angle sensor, detecting the zero degree angle, is not perfectly calibrated, based in the signals from the vehicle dynamics sensors, the drift controller 1) estimates a distance that the trailer has drifted from the straight line desired path and 2) in a closed-loop feedback manner, provides a drift correction signal to the trailer reverse assist module for modifying the value of the zero degree angle and thus cause adjustment of the steering system to realign the trailer towards the straight line implied path without manual steering intervention.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more vehicle lights of a vehicle during execution of a vehicle function based on image analysis is provided. The method includes receiving instructions to analyze one or more images captured by a camera supported by the vehicle. The method also includes transmitting instructions to a vehicle light system including the one or more lights positioned within a vicinity of the camera. The instructions causing a change in a current state of the one or more lights to a temporary state. During the temporary state, the method includes receiving one or more images from the camera, and identifying one or more reference points within the one or more images.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more vehicle lights of a vehicle during execution of a vehicle function based on image analysis is provided. The method includes receiving instructions to analyze one or more images captured by a camera supported by the vehicle. The method also includes transmitting instructions to a vehicle light system including the one or more lights positioned within a vicinity of the camera. The instructions causing a change in a current state of the one or more lights to a temporary state. During the temporary state, the method includes receiving one or more images from the camera, and identifying one or more reference points within the one or more images.

Abstract: A method for determining a length of a trailer attached to a tow vehicle having one or more sensors positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle facing the trailer is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a data processing hardware in communication with the one or more sensors, first sensor data associated with a first position of the tow vehicle. The method includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, second sensor data associated with a second position of the tow vehicle. The second position is different from the first position. The method also includes receiving, at the data processing hardware, third sensor data associated with a third position of the tow vehicle. The third position is different from the first position and the second position. The method includes determining, at the data processing hardware, a length of the trailer based on the first, second, and third sensor data.