Abstract: A scheduling controller in communication with a plurality of autonomous vehicles is described, and includes an operator request compiler, a fleet state-of-health database, an environmental conditions compiler and a fleet scheduling controller. The fleet scheduling controller is configured to deploy the autonomous vehicles based upon inputs from the operator request compiler, the fleet state-of-health database and the environmental conditions compiler. A process for coordinating a fleet of autonomous vehicles includes determining states of health for the autonomous vehicles, and determining a desired autonomous vehicle use requirement from each of a plurality of operators that are associated with the autonomous vehicles. A usage schedule for each of the autonomous vehicles is determined based upon the states of health and the desired autonomous vehicle use requirements from the operators. The autonomous vehicles are deployed based upon the usage schedule.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting vehicle parking is disclosed. The method includes transmitting, by an electronic controller of a vehicle, a parking space request. The parking space request is transmitted to a reservation system. The reservation system determines whether a parking space is available to fulfill the parking space request. The determining is based on availability information that is received from a parking infrastructure. The method also includes receiving an indication. The indication indicates whether a parking spot has been reserved to fulfill the parking space request.

Abstract: A method and associated device for automated maintenance scheduling for an autonomous vehicle includes monitoring a state of health (SOH) of an on-vehicle subsystem and monitoring an appointment log associated with a vehicle operator. Upon detecting a change in the SOH of the on-vehicle subsystem, the method includes communicating with a service center to determine a recommended maintenance action associated with the change in the SOH of the on-vehicle subsystem and to determine a proposed service appointment for the autonomous vehicle to effect the recommended maintenance action. The proposed service appointment is coordinated with the appointment log, and verified with the vehicle operator. A service appointment is scheduled based upon the proposed service appointment when verified by the vehicle operator. The appointment log is updated to include the service appointment.

Abstract: A kit for securing cargo within an interior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an occupant restraint system including a coupling member. The kit includes a harness having at least one connecting ring. The harness is configured to hold the cargo. The kit includes a first strap having a first connector at a first end releasably coupled to the coupling member and a second connector at a second end coupled to the at least one connecting ring. The kit includes an energy absorbing element defined on the strap between the first end and the second end. The energy absorbing element is deformable to absorb a force acting on the cargo.

Abstract: A method for mitigating an electrical actuator fault in a system containing multiple actuators includes: applying multiple predetermined conditions to each of multiple actuators in a vehicle system to identify when at least one of the multiple actuators is in a faulted condition; and increasing an input voltage to all of the actuators to increase an output of the at least one of the multiple actuators in the faulted condition to mitigate the faulted condition.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for overlaying on an in-vehicle display road objects associated with potential hazards are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method may include: responsive to detecting a presence of a detected vehicle in proximity to the local vehicle, determining, by a processing device, a position of the detected vehicle, a speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; determining, by the processing device, whether the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle based on the position of the detected vehicle, the speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; and responsive to determining that the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle, overlaying, by the processing device, a warning indicium on the in-vehicle display.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one image capture device and a user display configured to display images receive from the at least one image capture device. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to generate a user prompt to set a home vehicle position in response the vehicle entering a first parked state. The controller is also programmed to store at least one reference image indicative of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle corresponding to the home vehicle position. The controller is further programmed to collect a current image corresponding to a current vehicle position in response to a subsequent approach toward the vicinity, and compare the current image to the reference image. The controller is further programmed to generate a user display depicting the vicinity, the current vehicle position, and the home vehicle position.

Abstract: A kit for securing cargo within an interior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an occupant restraint system including a coupling member. The kit includes a harness having at least one connecting ring. The harness is configured to hold the cargo. The kit includes a first strap having a first connector at a first end releasably coupled to the coupling member and a second connector at a second end coupled to the at least one connecting ring. The kit includes an energy absorbing element defined on the strap between the first end and the second end. The energy absorbing element is deformable to absorb a force acting on the cargo.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for overlaying on an in-vehicle display road objects associated with potential hazards are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method may include: responsive to detecting a presence of a detected vehicle in proximity to the local vehicle, determining, by a processing device, a position of the detected vehicle, a speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; determining, by the processing device, whether the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle based on the position of the detected vehicle, the speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; and responsive to determining that the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle, overlaying, by the processing device, a warning indicium on the in-vehicle display.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for triggering control of a zone of a vehicle using a zone image overlay on an in-vehicle display are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method may include: displaying a primary image on the in-vehicle display; overlaying a zone image as the zone image overlay onto the primary image on the in-vehicle display, wherein the zone image overlay is associated with the zone of the vehicle; receiving a selection of the zone image overlay; responsive to receiving the selected zone image overlay, displaying a control interface on the in-vehicle display, wherein the control interface comprises a selectable option for controlling an aspect of the zone; and responsive to receiving a selection of the selectable option for controlling the aspect of the zone, adjusting the aspect of the zone based on the selection.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one image capture device and a user display configured to display images receive from the at least one image capture device. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to generate a user prompt to set a home vehicle position in response the vehicle entering a first parked state. The controller is also programmed to store at least one reference image indicative of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle corresponding to the home vehicle position. The controller is further programmed to collect a current image corresponding to a current vehicle position in response to a subsequent approach toward the vicinity, and compare the current image to the reference image. The controller is further programmed to generate a user display depicting the vicinity, the current vehicle position, and the home vehicle position.

Abstract: A system, for use in evaluating operation of a vehicle, includes a hardware-based processing unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage component including various functioning modules. The modules in various embodiments include an input module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, receives, from a vehicle-braking sensor, braking data indicting characteristics of a braking event at the vehicle. The system in some implementations includes an input unit receiving the braking data from the sensor and passing it to a braking-monitoring module. The braking-monitoring module, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines, based on the braking data, whether the braking event is within an acceptable pre-established limit. The technology in various embodiments includes processes performed by the system and algorithms used therein.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: A method of forming a casting includes providing a preform to a mold cavity. The preform is formed from one of a first metal and a second metal and defines an interface surface. A molten portion of the other of the first metal and the second metal is cast into the mold such that the molten portion proximately contacts the interface surface of the preform. An interface layer at the interface surface, a first portion defined by the mold cavity and the interface layer, and a second portion defined by the interface layer, are formed during casting. The interface layer may define a metallurgical bond between the first portion and the second portion. In the non-limiting example provided herein, the first portion is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second portion is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the casting may be configured as a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel includes inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar; inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel; and securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel. The annular collar may be circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener such that the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel. As such, the annular collar may minimize the galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel.

Abstract: A magnetic spring utilizing spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of magnetic regions for both stator and slider, allowing custom force curves over the range of motion. Also disclosed is a magnetic spring whose slider can be rotated relative to the stator on the axis, such that the alignment of the spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of the slider and the stator is altered, resulting in changeable force curve for the spring, selected by rotating the slider.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an extruded support beam constructed and arranged to be used as an inner support for a vehicle end gate.

Abstract: A method of forming a bimetallic forging includes providing a blank comprising at least a first element and a second element of a first metal, and an insert of a second metal. A blank is configured such that the insert may be substantially encapsulated by a shell defined by the first element and the second element. The blank is forged to form a bimetallic forging including an outer portion defined by the shell, an inner portion defined by the insert, and an interface layer therebetween. In a non-limiting example, the first metal is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second metal is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the blank may be forged to form a vehicle wheel including an aluminum skin substantially encapsulating a magnesium inner portion, providing wheel with a high strength to weight ratio and improved corrosion performance.

Abstract: A structural panel includes a closed-cell foam core formed of a metallic material; a first carbon-fiber panel bonded to a first side of the closed-cell foam core; and a second carbon-fiber panel bonded to a second side of the closed-cell foam core such that the foam core is disposed between the first carbon-fiber panel and the second carbon-fiber panel.