Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation for enclosed vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is stationary; if stationary, the controller detects a predicted onset or occurrence of a thermal event in at least one cell in the vehicle's battery system. Responsive to the detected thermal event, the controller calculates a vehicle parked in enclosed space (VPES) confidence value predictive of the host vehicle being at least partially enclosed, and determines if this VPES confidence value is greater than a preset minimum confidence level. Responsive to the detected thermal event and the VPES confidence value exceeding the minimum confidence level, the controller transmits a command signal to a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a vehicle control operation that mitigates the thermal event.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is an incapacitated state. Responsive to the incapacitation of the host vehicle, the controller detects the host vehicle being towed by a tow vehicle and identifies a wireless-enabled portable computing device (PCD) within a predefined range of the host vehicle. Responsive to the host vehicle being towed, the controller determines if the wireless-enabled PCD is on the tow vehicle while towing the host vehicle. Upon detection of a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the host vehicle's battery system while the host vehicle is being towed, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the thermal event.

Abstract: A system for an augmented-virtual reality simulator using a vehicle is provided. The system includes the vehicle including a control feature configured for selective use in an actual operation mode and in a simulation mode. In the actual operation mode, the control feature is utilized to control actual operation of the vehicle. In the simulation mode, the control feature is utilized as an input device to the augmented-virtual reality simulator. The system further includes a computerized simulation controller. The controller includes programming to monitor activation of the augmented-virtual reality simulator, command activation of the simulation mode based upon the activation of the simulator, monitor inputs to the control feature, and operate the simulator based upon the inputs to the control feature. The system further includes a headset configured for being worn by a user providing a graphical rendering to the user based upon the simulator.

Abstract: A system includes a main power unit providing power, user interfaces providing an indication of an event requiring communication with an external location, a telematics system providing communications related to telematics services, and a communication interface initiating communication between a vehicle and the location in response to the indication.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU), includes enabling an initial set of vehicle performance limits of the motor vehicle via the ECU in response to a request signal from a computer device. The method includes detecting a current vehicle state of the motor vehicle, including one or more of a location of the motor vehicle, an occupancy state of the motor vehicle, and/or an experience level of a driver thereof, and dynamically adjusting at least one of the performance limits in response to the current vehicle state. A motor vehicle includes one or more road wheels and vehicle components connected to a vehicle body. The ECU includes non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for performing the method.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor, a computer memory, and a processor. The sensor is configured to be disposed on a vehicle, and is configured to obtain sound or vibration data for the vehicle. The computer memory is configured to store a plurality of known signatures pertaining to a plurality of different types of vehicle theft events. The processor is configured to: compare a signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures stored in the computer memory; and determine whether a vehicle theft event is occurring based on the comparing of the signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures.

Abstract: A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.

Abstract: A location assistance system includes a distress vehicle and multiple assistance vehicles. The distress vehicle broadcasts an emergency signal. The assistance vehicles are operable to receive the emergency signal, determine multiple distances to the distress vehicle, triangulate among the assistance vehicles to generate a spatial map of the distress vehicle relative to the assistance vehicles, determine one or more approximately horizontal lines in the spatial map that include the distress vehicle and at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle in response to the distress vehicle and the at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle being on a same vertical level in the spatial map, coordinate among the assistance vehicles to determine one or more horizontal sequences along the one or more approximately horizontal lines, and flash the of the assistance vehicles in the one or more horizontal sequences to lead toward the distress vehicle.

Abstract: A method of extending connectivity of a recipient vehicle, which may be executed by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, is provided. During an ignition off state of the recipient vehicle, disabling a recipient cellular network access device (NAD) of the recipient vehicle and connecting to a low power communications source. The method communicates with a centralized location over the low power communications source. The low power communications source may be a recipient Bluetooth low energy (BLE) within the recipient vehicle. The method may connect to a donor vehicle proximate the recipient vehicle. The donor vehicle includes a donor NAD and a donor BLE, such that the donor NAD of the donor vehicle to communicates with the centralized location on behalf of the recipient vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing audio performance in a vehicle includes an audio unit having one or more speakers and one or more microphones respectively positioned in and/or around the vehicle. The speakers transmit an audio signal within the vehicle. A command unit is in communication with the audio unit. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to receive the audio signal through the one or more microphones and determine whether at least one audio quality parameter of the audio signal meets a predefined threshold. The command unit may be adapted to take at least one remedial action when the audio quality parameter is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for adaptive vehicle sensing and automation for occupants with health conditions, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller determining an existing health condition of an occupant in the vehicle's passenger compartment. The controller then retrieves, e.g., from a resident or remote memory device, predefined sets of calibration settings and condition symptoms customized to this existing health condition. An in-vehicle network of sensing devices is calibrated using the predefined calibration settings to detect one or more of the predefined condition symptoms. The calibrated sensing devices monitor the occupant to detect a health-related event based on the predefined condition symptoms.

Abstract: A system for obtaining vehicle status data includes a location sensor configured to obtain location data for one or more connected devices in or around the vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of seats, including at least one seat without an occupant sensor. The location data is obtained based at least partially on radiofrequency waves. A command unit is adapted to receive the location data. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to obtain the vehicle status data in real time based in part on the location data of the one or more connected devices, the vehicle status data including a total number of occupants in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for dynamic authorization, entitlements, and conditional capabilities by operational context to authorize operating a vehicle in conjunction with a remote cloud unit is provided. The system includes a vehicle operational system providing a functional output and a computerized controller within the vehicle. The controller includes programming to collect data from a plurality of sources related to operation of the vehicle and provide the data to a plurality of operating context analyzers to generate an operating context. The controller further includes programming to receive an authorization to operate the vehicle operational system and selectively enable operation of the vehicle operational system based upon the authorization. The system further includes the plurality of operating context analyzers determining the operating context.

Abstract: A system includes a source vehicle and a destination vehicle. The destination vehicle is configured to determine that the source vehicle and the destination vehicle are suitably close to exchange data through a wireless communications channel, compare current version numbers in the destination vehicle with approved version numbers in the source vehicle, approve an update for one or more current software components in the destination vehicle in response to one or more criteria, receive one or more approved software components at the destination vehicle from the source vehicle via the wireless communications channel in response to the current version numbers of the current software components approved for the update being different from corresponding ones of approved version numbers of the approved software components, and update the one or more current software components in the destination vehicle with the one or more approved software components received from the source vehicle.

Abstract: A system for detecting one or more characteristics of an object within an automotive vehicle includes one or more sensors mounted within an interior of the vehicle or on an exterior of the vehicle, with each sensor being configured to detect a location, an orientation, a size and/or an object type of the object, and a controller operably connected with the one or more sensors and configured to assess whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition. A method for detecting characteristics of the object within the vehicle includes determining the location, orientation, size and/or object type of the object using the one or more sensors, and assessing whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition.

Abstract: A method for aerial-based event notification includes detecting a trigger event with one or more electronic units of a system. The system includes a telematics unit, a drone having one or more notification actuators, and a tether that connects the drone to the system. The method further includes launching the drone with the telematics unit in response to the trigger event, waiting a predetermined time after the trigger event, retracting the drone in response to a subsequent event being undetected within the predetermined time after the trigger event, detecting the subsequent event with the one or more electronic units, placing the drone in an alert configuration in response to detecting the subsequent event within the predetermined time after the trigger event, and generating one or more alert notifications from the one or more notification actuators while the drone is in the alert configuration.

Abstract: Presented are smart vehicle systems and control logic for battery thermal event detection and severity assessment, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller detecting a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the vehicle's battery system and, upon detection, monitoring the vehicle's surrounding area to detect target objects near the vehicle. Responsive to detecting any target objects near the vehicle, the controller aggregates target object data, including a total number of detected target objects and respective proximities of the detected target objects to the vehicle. Using this target object data, a situational severity level is estimated for the thermal event; the controller determines if the severity level exceeds a maximum allowable severity level. If so, the controller responsively commands a vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the event.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a controller adapted to selectively execute an alternative periodic connectivity mode for communication between a user of the vehicle and a remote assistance unit. The vehicle is not connected to a wireless plan. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The alternative periodic connectivity mode is activated based in part on at least one automatic trigger and/or a request from the user. The controller is adapted to assign a distinct identifier to the vehicle during execution of the alternative periodic connectivity mode. The distinct identifier is defined by a plurality of parameters, including a connection time interval, an internet protocol address range and a host port. The internet protocol address range and the host port may be dynamically configured to remain disengaged unless given a system clearance.

Abstract: Presented are adaptive operator assistance systems for motor-assisted manually powered (MMP) vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and electric scooters equipped with such systems. A method of operating an MMP vehicle using a handheld mobile computing device (MCD) includes the handheld MCD receiving path plan data for the MMP vehicle and then receiving, based on this path plan data, MMP-specific ambient data that is aligned with the vehicle's present location and contains surrounding environment data particular to the MMP vehicle. A wireless location device of the handheld MCD tracks the MMP vehicle's real-time location, and a sensing device of the handheld MCD detects MMP-specific threat data that is aligned with the vehicle's real-time location and contains user danger data particular to the MMP vehicle. The handheld MCD then commands a resident subsystem of the MMP vehicle to execute a control operation based on the MMP-specific ambient data and/or threat data.

Abstract: A system includes a source vehicle and a destination vehicle. The destination vehicle is configured to determine that the source vehicle and the destination vehicle are suitably close to exchange data through a wireless communications channel, compare current version numbers in the destination vehicle with approved version numbers in the source vehicle, approve an update for one or more current software components in the destination vehicle in response to one or more criteria, receive one or more approved software components at the destination vehicle from the source vehicle via the wireless communications channel in response to the current version numbers of the current software components approved for the update being different from corresponding ones of approved version numbers of the approved software components, and update the one or more current software components in the destination vehicle with the one or more approved software components received from the source vehicle.