Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adapting vehicle access by detecting a person carrying an object. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a person near a vehicle for gaining access. The method also includes scanning the person for an object using a radar of the vehicle, wherein information from the radar indicates densities of the person and the object. Upon detecting the object using the densities, the method also includes adapting the access to a compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing ingress of water in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates an ingress of water into the passenger cabin, generating a response to the ingress of the water.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to control operation of the radar sensor to acquire data for determining and updating a number of occupants in the vehicle. Upon receiving a control command whose execution will result in movement of the vehicle, a pre-movement radar scan of the vehicle interior is performed. using information acquired by the pre-movement scan, the sensor control module determines if an excessive occupant condition exists in the vehicle interior. Responsive to a determination that an excessive occupant condition exists, the sensor control module may control an operation of the vehicle other than executing the control command.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing interactions of a passenger with components within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates that a passenger satisfies a threshold in relation to an unpermitted action, generating a response that counters the unpermitted action.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to automatically control operation of the radar sensor to perform at least one radar scan of at least a portion of an interior of the vehicle. The sensor control module is also configured to determine, using information acquired by the at least one radar scan of the vehicle interior, at least one characteristic of a child car seat positioned in the interior. The sensor control module is also configured to compare the at least one determined characteristic of the child car seat with child car seat comparison information and, responsive to the comparison of the at least one determined characteristic with the child car seat comparison information, control an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the safety of a vehicle in relation to occurrences of smoke and fire. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a subject vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the subject vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates smoke is present within the passenger cabin, controlling the subject vehicle to generate a response to the smoke.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and verifying weather information using a weather condition detection system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving weather information by a computing device within the vehicle. The weather information is verified locally at the vehicle using the computing device. Verifying the weather information includes optically verifying the weather information using a vehicle video system of the vehicle comprising a camera.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a hand sanitizing system. The hand sanitizing system includes a hand sanitizing dispenser. The hand sanitizing dispenser is positioned within the vehicle and configured to dispense a cleaning solution. The hand sanitizing dispenser includes a first sensor. The first sensor is configured to detect an amount of a substance on a hand of a user. The hand sanitizing system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the hand sanitizing dispenser and the first sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the hand of the user is unclean based on the amount of the substance on the hand of the user. The electronic control unit is configured to activate the hand sanitizing dispenser to allow the hand sanitizing dispenser to dispense the cleaning solution.

Abstract: A device and method in a vehicle control unit for providing electronic commerce transaction authentication are provided. Upon receiving an electronic commerce transaction request relating to a transaction source, the vehicle control unit authenticates the transaction source against a vehicle travel route parameter by comparing the source location data with the vehicle travel route parameter. When the source location data compares favorably with the vehicle travel route parameter, an electronic commerce authentication is generated in response to the request, and transmitted.

Abstract: A system for automatically deploying a windshield wiper blade to a deployed position includes one or more processors, an actuator coupled to the windshield wiper blade and communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, one or more optical sensors communicatively coupled to the one or more processors that output an optical signal, and one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memory modules store logic that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to receive the optical signal output by the one or more optical sensors, detect whether an accumulation of a substance has formed on the vehicle based on the optical signal output by the one or more optical sensors, and deploy, with the actuator, the windshield wiper blade to the deployed position in response to detecting the accumulation of the substance.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to surveillance of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a surveillance event associated with the vehicle, collecting information from one or more sensors of the vehicle about the surveillance event. The method includes classifying the information according to a security profile to identify a threat type and a threat level of the surveillance event. The method includes controlling the vehicle to provide a response to the surveillance event according to the threat type and the threat level.

Abstract: A method of providing current traffic light status information to a driver of an object vehicle for one or more traffic light devices at an intersection is provided. The method includes receiving current traffic light status information by an intersection traffic signal indicator system of the object vehicle from a source external the object vehicle using one or both of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. The current traffic light status information is indicative of a traffic light of a traffic light device visible to an oncoming vehicle. A reproduction of the traffic light visible to the oncoming vehicle is displayed as a graphic object on a display of the object vehicle using the traffic light status information.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to surveillance of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a surveillance event associated with the vehicle, collecting information from one or more sensors of the vehicle about the surveillance event. The method includes classifying the information according to a security profile to identify a threat type and a threat level of the surveillance event. The method includes controlling the vehicle to provide a response to the surveillance event according to the threat type and the threat level.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear door assembly having an open configuration that allows access to a rear storage volume and a closed configuration that inhibits access to the rear storage volume. A multi-level rear storage system is located in the rear storage volume. The multi-level storage system has a retracted configuration where a shelf member is relatively near a rear floor of the rear storage volume and an extended configuration with the shelf member spaced-apart from the rear floor thereby defining an upper rear storage volume above the shelf member and a lower rear storage volume below the shelf member.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat comprising a seat base structure and a seat back structure pivotally connected to the seat base structure. The seat back structure includes a central adjustable region, an inboard side adjustable region adjacent the central adjustable region and a outboard side adjustable region located adjacent the central adjustable region. The seat back structure includes a central proximity sensor located at the central adjustable region, an inboard side proximity sensor located at the inboard side adjustable region and an outboard side proximity sensor located at the outboard side adjustable region. A seat back structure adjustment apparatus includes a central region adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the central adjustable region, an inboard side adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the inboard side adjustable region and an outboard side adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the outboard adjustable region.

Abstract: A device and method in a vehicle control unit for providing electronic commerce transaction authentication are provided. Upon receiving an electronic commerce transaction request relating to a transaction source, the vehicle control unit authenticates the transaction source against a vehicle travel route parameter by comparing the source location data with the vehicle travel route parameter. When the source location data compares favorably with the vehicle travel route parameter, an electronic commerce authentication is generated in response to the request, and transmitted.

Abstract: A system for automatically deploying a windshield wiper blade to a deployed position includes one or more processors, an actuator coupled to the windshield wiper blade and communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, one or more optical sensors communicatively coupled to the one or more processors that output an optical signal, and one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memory modules store logic that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to receive the optical signal output by the one or more optical sensors, detect whether an accumulation of a substance has formed on the vehicle based on the optical signal output by the one or more optical sensors, and deploy, with the actuator, the windshield wiper blade to the deployed position in response to detecting the accumulation of the substance.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and verifying weather information using a weather condition detection system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving weather information by a computing device within the vehicle. The weather information is verified locally at the vehicle using the computing device. Verifying the weather information includes optically verifying the weather information using a vehicle video system of the vehicle comprising a camera.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear door assembly having an open configuration that allows access to a rear storage volume and a closed configuration that inhibits access to the rear storage volume. A multi-level rear storage system is located in the rear storage volume. The multi-level storage system has a retracted configuration where a shelf member is relatively near a rear floor of the rear storage volume and an extended configuration with the shelf member spaced-apart from the rear floor thereby defining an upper rear storage volume above the shelf member and a lower rear storage volume below the shelf member.

Abstract: A method of providing current traffic light status information to a driver of an object vehicle for one or more traffic light devices at an intersection is provided. The method includes receiving current traffic light status information by an intersection traffic signal indicator system of the object vehicle from a source external the object vehicle using one or both of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. The current traffic light status information is indicative of a traffic light of a traffic light device visible to an oncoming vehicle. A reproduction of the traffic light visible to the oncoming vehicle is displayed as a graphic object on a display of the object vehicle using the traffic light status information.