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: A vehicle has been proposed that is equipped with a processing system coupled to different sensors that may anticipate and mitigate risks leading to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. In some aspects, the processing system identifies, using a plurality of sensors and external vehicle sources over a wireless network, data elements indicating that the vehicle is a potential hazard to a pedestrian. Using the elements, the processing system may determine values of a pedestrian hazard level (PHL) that correspond to successively increasing risks. Where the PHL meets a threshold, the system may employ countermeasures to proactively mitigate the risks of pedestrian incidents.

Abstract: A system for enhanced satellite communication coverage via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system may include a satellite configured for orbiting Earth, a vehicle configured for ground transportation on Earth, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operable for relaying communication signals between the vehicle and the satellite. The system may be configured for transmitting control instructions to the UAV for controlling aerial positioning of the UAV relative to the vehicle and the satellite. The control instructions may specifying a roll, a pitch, and a yaw for orientating the UAV to point towards the satellite.

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: Securing package delivery via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, robots, etc. is contemplated. The package delivery may include assigning a provenance certificate to a package scheduled for drone delivery, determining a plurality of vehicles to be used in transporting the package to an autonomous receiver, determining credentials assigned to each of the vehicles, pairing the credentials with the package to generate a delivery pairing, the delivery pairing identifying the credentials of the vehicles authorized to transport the package, and transporting the delivery pairing to each of the vehicles to prevent vehicles having certificates omitted from the delivery pairing from transporting the package.

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: A process and system to detect and provide notification of a potential effect of a thermal event related to a vehicle and a process for updating thermal event probability of a specific area based on an effect of a vehicle are provided. Identifying potential vehicle thermal events and determining their potential effect in order to provide information related to the risk to both vehicle occupants and the proper authorities facilitates providing alerts and possible evacuation routes, and facilitates authorities providing the proper response. A vehicle is identified and information related to the identified vehicle, as well as information related to an area and an existing thermal event, are obtained and probability of a thermal event starting or potential spread of an existing thermal event is determined based on the obtained information and the potential is addressed before a thermal event starts or an existing thermal event spreads.

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 system and method for determining a priority of a call in an on-hold queue is presented. Determining a priority of a call is based on information received by an enterprise from a call from a vehicle with an integrated communication device where the call is placed into an on-hold queue to be answered based on its priority. Data from the vehicle with the integrated communication device includes at least a type of call, an account information associated with the vehicle, a vehicle data, and a location of the vehicle. The enterprise determines the priority of the call in the on-hold queue based on the data received from the vehicle with the integrated communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling an airpath within an automotive vehicle are provided. An air sample is obtained from the airpath, and a determination is made whether an air quality of the air sample meets or exceeds a predetermined air quality standard. Air quality data relating to the air sample is transmitted to a back office. Optionally, external route information is received from the back office relating to one or more alternate routes for the vehicle, and a notification is presented within the interior cabin of the one or more alternate routes along with a respective air quality indication for each of the one or more alternate routes.

Abstract: A system and method for surround view egress assistance that includes detecting, by a sensor in a vehicle, an obstacle in a swing path of a vehicle door. The method includes predicting, based on a geometrical analysis, one or more potential collision zones between the obstacle and the vehicle door. The predicting also includes determining a bank angle of the vehicle in the predicting of one or more potential collision zones. The method further includes estimating, based on data from an inertial measurement unit, a severity of an impact of the vehicle door with the obstacle. The method also includes detecting a color and height of a curb and potential collisions with a vehicle door.

Abstract: Aspects of drone-assisted offroad vehicle emergency systems are addressed. In one aspect, a system includes an offroad vehicle having integrated therein a processing system coupled to a user interface. The processing system is configured to respond to a potential emergency situation including a stranded or lost person or a hazardous condition in a path of the vehicle. An aerial drone is equipped with multiple sensors for receiving data. Responsive to a trigger, the processing system may instruct the drone to deploy one or more times to survey a target region. The drone may receive sensor data relevant to an emergency situation and relay the data back to the vehicle. The processing system analyzes the data to provide a remedial response.

Abstract: Method of using a vehicle to alert to potential risks includes determining that a user of the vehicle will be absent; determining an estimated absence time; and sending an alert to authorities, via a control system, if the user does not return within the estimated absence time. The method may include receiving the estimated absence time from the user, or the control system of the vehicle determines the absence and the estimated absence time. The user may define the absence and input the estimated absence time through a centralized location, such that the alert is sent from the centralized location. Following expiration of the estimated absence time, detecting a pedestrian near the vehicle, and then playing a pre-recorded emergency message through speakers, such that the pedestrian is made aware of the pre-recorded emergency message. Vehicle lights/horn may operate to guide the user, possibly in decaying fashion.

Abstract: An object detection and predictive motion warning system for a vehicle. The system may include a plurality of weight sensors configured to generate weight values in response to pressure being applied thereto and an object detection and predictive motion controller configured to detect an object within the vehicle and to predict a motion assessment for the object as function thereof.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing a set of fleet vehicles includes a central command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The fleet vehicles have one or more respective electronic components and respective vehicle controllers adapted to perform self-diagnosis of their respective electronic components. The central command unit is adapted to receive notification of the self-diagnosis and classify the respective electronic components as working ones and non-working ones. The central command unit is adapted to perform component matching, including polling inventory across the fleet vehicles. Working ones of the respective electronic components are selectively redistributed for reuse across the fleet vehicles. In some embodiments, at least one of the fleet vehicles is designated as a master vehicle and the central command unit is stored in the master vehicle. In other embodiments, the central command unit is stored in a cloud computing service.

Abstract: A system for a computerized emergent response assistance device is provided. The system includes an emergent response device configured for assisting a user during an emergent condition. The system further includes a computerized emergent response assistance controller. The controller is configured for operating a setup routine digitally storing a location of the emergent response device and monitoring an input useful to identify occurrence of the emergent condition. The controller is further configured for analyzing the input to identify occurrence of the emergent condition and generating an alert to the user. The alert includes the location of the emergent response device.

Abstract: A system for managing communication between a vehicle and remote assistance unit includes a telematics unit connected to the vehicle. The telematics unit is engaged in a subscription service with the remote assistance unit. A command unit is in communication with the telematics unit, the command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to determine if one or more deactivation conditions for the subscription service are met. Respective severity values for the deactivation conditions are determined. The command unit is adapted to calculate a cumulative severity index based in part on the respective severity values. An automated deactivation module is executed for the subscription service when the cumulative severity index exceeds a predefined severity threshold.

Abstract: Drone-based offroad vehicle routing systems and corresponding methods are proposed. In one aspect, a vehicle and uniquely assigned an aerial drone embedded with sensors, radar, lidar, etc. may establish a data link. The driver or occupant may input information into the user interface in the vehicle about a region or destination of interest. The vehicle's processor may instruct the drone to scout a target region and receive data about the topographic features of the terrain. The drone may scout the region, receive the data, and forward the data to the vehicle. The processor may compute optimal routes based on data from both the drone and the vehicle sensors. In some aspects, the drone performs calculations of the route and may communicate in or near real time with the vehicle. The system may take into account vehicle data, the skill level of the driver, or both.

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.