Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the sensing and lighting coverage of a first vehicle using a second vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes determining at least one of a sensor coverage and a lighting coverage of a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The method further includes controlling the second vehicle to park in a position that maximizes the at least one of the sensor coverage and the lighting coverage between the first vehicle and the second vehicle while the first vehicle is stationary. Moreover, the method includes activating at least one of sensors and lighting mechanisms of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying and addressing an intervening obstacle between a set of vehicles in a hitchless towing configuration using data received from at least one sensor of the set of vehicles. The data received from the at least one sensor may be evaluated to determine an obstacle is potential to intervene between the set of vehicles. The system and method may further determine the obstacle is performing an action to intervene between the set of vehicles. The systems and method may cause at least one of the set of vehicles to perform a countermeasure to prevent the obstacle from intervening between the set of vehicles. The systems and method may determine the obstacle is intervening between the set of vehicles and may further cause at least one of the set of vehicles to perform a second countermeasure to reestablish the hitchless towing configuration.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the protection of a first vehicle using a second vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes processing sensor data about surroundings of a first vehicle to identify suspicious activity in the surroundings of the first vehicle. The method further includes, in response to identifying the suspicious activity, controlling a second vehicle to perform a reactive maneuver.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving obstacle avoidance for a virtually connected convoy of vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an obstacle in a path of a convoy, determining that a vehicle in the convoy is to execute obstacle avoidance based on a property of the vehicle and a physical property of the obstacle, and disengaging a following mode of the convoy responsive to a determination that the vehicle is to execute obstacle avoidance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to parking a following vehicle in a convoy. In one embodiment, a method includes disengaging a virtual connection between a lead vehicle and a following vehicle of a convoy based on a parking trigger for the convoy. The method includes selecting a parking space for the following vehicle based on a load characteristic of the following vehicle and directing the following vehicle to the parking space.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a system that communicates with other vehicles using light signals. The system includes one or more light emitters coupled to a vehicle and an electronic control unit coupled to the light emitter(s). The electronic control unit is configured to encode a message using a communication protocol to create a first light pattern. The electronic control unit is further configured to generate a light pattern using the light emitter(s) to communicate the message to an adjacent vehicle. The message indicates vehicle, passenger, and/or roadway conditions to provide the adjacent vehicle real-time conditions, which can be used to provide immediate feedback that the adjacent vehicle can use to safely control one or more aspects of the adjacent vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to influencing control of a vehicle to improve hitchless towing. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a current condition associated with a lead vehicle and a following vehicle. The method includes, responsive to determining that the current condition satisfies an adjustment threshold for modifying a behavior of at least one of the lead vehicle and the following vehicle, determining a vehicle action associated with the current condition. The method includes providing an output according to the vehicle action.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling or guiding one or more automated vehicles and/or people (VOP) in an environment using virtual approved pathways (VAPs). Methods include determining a set of parameters associated with automated vehicles and/or people operating within an environment, including periodically obtaining a first set of parameters from a plurality of data sources deployed within an environment, in real-time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a path of an autonomous mobile device based upon defining a series of origination positions and destination positions, each destination position correlating with position coordinates. A current position of an autonomous vehicle is determined via location automation such as real time communication systems and an approved pathway is generated to guide the autonomous vehicle. The position coordinates may be a set of values that accurately define a position in two dimensional 2D or three-dimensional (3D) space. Position coordinates may include cartesian coordinates.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining, by a vehicle at a charging location, an electric grid intensity at a time period; responsive to the intensity being below a threshold, charging a battery of the vehicle; and responsive to the intensity being above the threshold, ceasing the charging of the battery; wherein the charging and the ceasing of the charging achieve a set state of charge of the battery by a set time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a path of an autonomous mobile device based upon defining a series of origination positions and destination positions, each destination position correlating with position coordinates. A current position of an autonomous vehicle is determined via location automation such as real time communication systems and an approved pathway is generated to guide the autonomous vehicle. The position coordinates may be a set of values that accurately define a position in two dimensional 2D or three-dimensional (3D) space. Position coordinates may include cartesian coordinates.