Abstract: Data about operating parameters external to a vehicle can be input to a neural network that outputs at least one profile defining at least one of a cleaning protocol or a cooling protocol for a vehicle sensor, wherein the operating parameters include one or more of current weather conditions, future weather conditions, images indicative of a current weather condition, city infrastructure, duration of a route to be traversed, a time period to traverse the route, and vehicle location. Operation of at least one of a cleaning device or a cooling device can be initiated according to the at least one of the cleaning protocol or the cooling protocol when the operating parameters to the at least one profile.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a sensor of a vehicle with a robotic arm, capture a plurality of images of the sensor with an unmanned aerial vehicle, and actuate the robotic arm to perform maintenance on the sensor upon inputting the plurality of images to an image recognition program and obtaining output that the sensor requires maintenance.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis and an air nozzle positioned at one end of the sensor window and shaped to direct airflow in a direction parallel to the axis across the sensor window. The air nozzle extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The nozzle is formed of an inner edge and an outer edge each extending circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The inner edge is circular with a radius at least as great as an outer radius of the sensor window. The outer edge includes a first portion with a semicircular shape with a radius smaller than the outer radius of the sensor window and a second portion that extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window from the first portion to the first portion at a constant radial distance from the inner edge.

Abstract: An assembly includes a base. The assembly includes an object detection sensor. The assembly includes a deflector extending upward from the base in front of the object detection sensor. The deflector is configured to direct ram air away from the object detection sensor. The assembly includes a nozzle supported by the deflector and aimed at the object detection sensor.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically and a ramp. The sensor window includes an exterior surface facing radially outward relative to the axis. The ramp is on the exterior surface of the sensor window. The ramp includes a leading surface and a trailing surface. The leading surface and the trailing surface are elongated parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically, and a sensor-housing top mounted on the sensor window. The sensor-housing top includes a top surface and a wall. The axis intersects the top surface. The wall extends upward from the top surface and is elongated circumferentially partially around the top surface. The top surface includes a plurality of parallel ridges elongated from the wall.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a housing attachable to a vehicle and including a panel, a sensor window, a liquid nozzle fixed relative to the housing, and a tunnel. The panel includes a port. The sensor window is positioned in the port. The liquid nozzle is aimed at the sensor window. The liquid nozzle is positioned in a first horizontal direction from the port along the panel. The tunnel extends along the panel and is positioned in a second horizontal direction from the port, the second horizontal direction being opposite the first horizontal direction. The tunnel terminates at an opening positioned to receive fluid outputted by the nozzle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a plurality of at least three tubular segments fixed relative to the sensor window. Each tubular segment is elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The tubular segments collectively form a ring substantially centered around the axis. Each tubular segment includes a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a first opening and a second opening. Each of the first openings has a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis, and each of the second openings has a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis. The second angle is different than the first angle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor, a heat pipe, and a cover. The sensor includes a sensor housing. The sensor housing includes a sensor window oriented generally vertically and a top surface fixed relative to the sensor window above the sensor window and oriented generally horizontally. The heat pipe is fixed relative to the sensor, wherein the heat pipe is elongated from a first end to a second end, the first end is contacting the top surface, and the second end is spaced from the top surface. The cover covers the top surface and the heat pipe, and the cover is shaped to define a vertical gap between the top surface and the cover.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor, a heat pipe, and a cover. The sensor includes a sensor housing. The sensor housing includes a sensor window oriented generally vertically and a top surface fixed relative to the sensor window above the sensor window and oriented generally horizontally. The heat pipe is fixed relative to the sensor, wherein the heat pipe is elongated from a first end to a second end, the first end is contacting the top surface, and the second end is spaced from the top surface. The cover covers the top surface and the heat pipe, and the cover is shaped to define a vertical gap between the top surface and the cover.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor window, a sensor having a field of view through the sensor window, a piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the piezoelectric vibrator. The computer is programmed to identify a type for an obstruction of the sensor window based on data from the sensor, and instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations having a vibration profile. The vibration profile has at least one of frequency or phase velocity chosen according to the identified type of obstruction.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, an air inlet tube through the housing and including a drain, and a sensor in the path of air flowing through the air inlet tube. The sensor assembly may further include a heater thermally connected to the drain. A controller may be communicatively coupled to the heater and programmed to activate the heater upon detecting an ambient temperature below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a camera including a lens, a casing extending around the lens, at least three heating elements embedded in the casing and arranged circumferentially around the lens, and a computer communicatively coupled to the camera and to the heating elements. The computer is programmed to, upon detecting ice at a location on the lens, select a first subset of the heating elements based on the location of the ice; activate the first subset of the heating elements to a first heating level; determine a second heating level based on an ambient temperature and a lens temperature; and activate a second subset of the heating elements to the second heating level, the second subset including the heating elements not in the first subset.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor window; a first nozzle adjacent to the sensor window and oriented to blow across the sensor window, the first nozzle positioned below the sensor window and in a first horizontal direction away from the sensor window, the first nozzle being slot-shaped with a first length and a first thickness; and a second nozzle adjacent to the first nozzle and oriented to blow across the sensor window, the second nozzle positioned below the sensor window and in the first horizontal direction away from the sensor window, the second nozzle being slot-shaped with a second length and a second thickness. The second nozzle is farther from the sensor window in the first horizontal direction than the first nozzle, and the first length of the first nozzle is greater than the second length of the second nozzle.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, a sensing apparatus inside the housing and rotatable with the housing, a sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and a duct on an exterior of the housing. The sensing apparatus has a field of view through the sensor window. The duct includes an inlet open toward the direction of rotation and an outlet aimed across the sensor window.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented substantially vertically, an air nozzle positioned below the sensor window and aimed upward, and a sensor-housing-top cap positioned above the sensor window and including a sensor-housing top and a circumferential cap. The sensor-housing-top cap is a single piece. The circumferential cap includes a topside and an underside. The topside and the underside are disposed radially outward from the sensor window. The underside includes a groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis. The cross-section of the groove curves from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.

Abstract: An assembly includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the base rearward of the inlet. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet. The base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet at the first end and the deflector at the second end. The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an exterior body panel and a sensor assembly supported by the exterior body panel. The sensor assembly includes an image sensor and a cover being moveable to an assembled position at least partially enclosing the image sensor. A pressure sensor is activated by the cover in the assembled position. A lock releasably connects the cover to the exterior body panel and is actuatable framed on the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and a plurality of at least three tubular segments fixed relative to the sensor window. Each tubular segment is elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The tubular segments collectively form a ring substantially centered around the axis. Each tubular segment includes at least one first nozzle and at least one second nozzle. The first nozzles and second nozzles are arranged in an alternating pattern around the ring. The first nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a first angle with the axis, and the second nozzles each have a direction of discharge in a radially inward and axial direction forming a second angle with the axis, the second angle being different than the first angle.

Abstract: An assembly includes a liftgate and an autonomous navigation sensor assembly supported by the liftgate. The autonomous navigation sensor assembly has a plurality of sensors and a vent facing across a field-of-view of one of the sensors.