Abstract: An adaptor for an accessory attachment system comprises a body having a first side and a second side opposite of the first side. The first side has a first mounting configuration that is configured to be received within a first pattern of apertures on a base plate. The second side has a second mounting configuration that is different than the first mounting configuration such that an accessory having the second mounting configuration configured to interact with a second pattern of apertures different than the first pattern of apertures can be mounted to the base plate via the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are proposed for coordinating and providing assistive traction drive forces during towing events between a motor vehicle and one or more charging trailers. The assistive traction drive forces may be provided in the form of a propulsive torque applied by an electric machine of the charging trailer. Electrical energy for powering the electric machine may be supplied by a powertrain system of the towing vehicle or an energy storage device of an electrified recreational/industrial vehicle that is operably connected to the charging trailer. Energy expended by the energy storage device for powering the electric machine may be replenished during the towing event by regenerative braking.

Abstract: A vehicle including a plurality of lighting units and a processor is disclosed. The plurality of lighting units may be oriented on an exterior of the vehicle to illuminate areas proximate to the vehicle. The processor may identify that a vehicle speed is less than a predefined threshold value. The processor may further identify that a predefined condition is met associated with a vehicle user action or a presence of a specific object in proximity to the vehicle, when the vehicle speed is less than the predefined threshold value. Responsive to identifying that the predefined condition is met, the processor may identify an optimal lighting unit, from the plurality of lighting units, to illuminate the specific object, and automatically activate the optimal lighting unit.

Abstract: An electronic controller module in a vehicle is powered by a battery during a Key-Off state. The electronic controller module has a bus interface for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from a multiplex bus, wherein the messages include a periodic sequence of Network Management (NM) messages transmitted during a normal operating mode. A control circuit in the module is configured to detect an OFF state of the vehicle in which use of power from the battery is limited within the vehicle, detect a State of Charge (SOC) of the battery, and compare the detected SOC to a critical battery threshold. The control circuit is further configured to determine an elapsed time beginning when the OFF state is detected and the SOC is no longer above the critical battery threshold, and when the elapsed time is greater than a time threshold then the sequence of NM messages is inhibited.

Abstract: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle power system is disclosed. The vehicle may include a battery and the vehicle power system configured to transfer power from the battery to an external accessory connected to the vehicle power system. The vehicle may further include a vehicle sensor configured to detect an actual energy usage of the vehicle power system. The vehicle may further include a processor configured to determine a type of external accessory connected to the vehicle power system and determine an expected energy usage associated with the external accessory based on the type. The processor may determine the actual energy usage of the vehicle power system or the external accessory based on inputs obtained from the vehicle sensor or an external accessory sensor. The processor may compare the actual energy usage with the expected energy usage, and perform an action based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for vehicle turning in confined spaces are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein instructions, at least one memory, a processor to execute the instructions to operate a first brake of a first wheel of a vehicle, operate a second brake of a second wheel of the vehicle, determine a frictional coefficient of a driving surface of the vehicle by rotating a third wheel of the vehicle, determine based on the frictional coefficient, if a turn command can be conducted by the vehicle, and when the turn command can be conducted, conduct the turn command.

Abstract: A vehicle having a tail lift is disclosed. The tail lift may be configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The tail lift may be disposed perpendicular to a vehicle cargo bed in the retracted position, and parallel to the vehicle cargo bed in the extended position. The vehicle may further include a detection unit configured to detect a placement location of a cargo on the tail lift and presence of an obstruction in proximity to the tail lift. The vehicle may additionally include a processor that may obtain inputs from the detection unit when the tail lift may be in the extended position. The processor may determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the obtained inputs. The processor may further output a notification responsive to a determination that the predefined condition may be met.

Abstract: A base plate for an accessory attachment system includes a plurality of apertures. At least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate. The base plate also includes an insert that is mounted in the apertures of the first set of apertures.

Abstract: A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle including a sensor unit and a processor is disclosed. The sensor unit may detect a presence of a user and predetermined items in the vehicle. The processor may determine that the user has entered the vehicle based on inputs obtained from the sensor unit. Responsive to determining that the user has entered the vehicle, the processor may determine that a predefined condition is met based on the inputs obtained from the sensor unit. The processor may determine that the predefined condition is met when one or more first items present in the vehicle do not match a user's predefined authorized item list or one or more second items that are preferred by the user are absent from the vehicle. The processor may further disable the vehicle from being shifted out of a park mode responsive to determining that the predefined condition is met.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for managing the use of an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) assembly and a charge port assembly of an electrified vehicle, including balancing usage and identifying potential wear of the same. Among other benefits, this disclosure is able to readily identify whether potential wear originates from the EVSE assembly or the charge port assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle including a tailgate, a sensor system, and a processor is disclosed. The sensor system may be configured to capture inputs associated with the tailgate. The processor may be configured to obtain a trigger signal, and determine an object presence on the tailgate based on the inputs obtained from the sensor system responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The processor may further prevent a tailgate movement responsive determining the object presence.

Abstract: A base plate system includes a plurality of base plate panels that are attached to each other to provide a base plate that includes a surface to hold an accessory fixed relative to the base plate. An attachment feature is associated with each base plate panel such that adjacent base plate panels can be attached to each other to provide a desired base plate size.

Abstract: A foam material includes the reaction product of a polyol mixture and an isocyanate mixture, and a MXene filler in an amount up to about 0.5 wt. %. A method of forming the foam material includes adding a MXene filler in an amount up to about 0.5 wt. % into one of a polyol mixture and an isocyanate mixture, the MXene filler being in the form of layered flakes, combining the MXene filler, one of the polyol mixture and the isocyanate mixture, and a bonding enhancer to form a first liquid component into a high shear exfoliation mixer. During mixing, the MXene filler is delaminated into single layers, each of the single layers being arranged in random orientations, which is then combined with the other of the polyol mixture or the isocyanate mixture to form the foam material.

Abstract: A method includes the identification of a current trajectory of an automated vehicle based on a movement of the automated vehicle through a marshaling environment, the calculation of a distance-based differential between the current trajectory of the automated vehicle and an expected trajectory of the automated vehicle, the determination of whether the distance-based differential exceeds a variation threshold, and the recalibration of one or more sensors of an infrastructure system in response to the distance-based differential exceeding the variation threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle including a spare wheel and tire assembly is disclosed. The wheel and tire assembly may include a tire and a wheel. The vehicle may further include a battery cell mounted in the wheel and tire assembly. The battery cell may store and provide power. In some aspects, the battery cell may be removably mounted in the spare wheel and tire assembly. In other aspects, the battery cell may be integrated with the spare wheel and tire assembly.

Abstract: A depletion amount of energy required to charge a user device connected to a device port of a vehicle is estimated based on a state of charge (SoC) of a device battery of the connected user device. Responsive to an expected SoC of a LV battery of the vehicle after providing the depletion amount of energy exceeding a calibrated threshold amount of energy of the LV battery, the connected user device is charged during key off. Otherwise, an engine start/stop schedule defining a time to start an engine of the vehicle and a duration of run time for the engine is utilized to generate additional energy to charge the connected user device to ensure the LV battery remains above the calibrated threshold amount of energy.

Abstract: A method includes the determination of a current status associated with a vehicle and the output of an indication corresponding to the current status associated with the vehicle via a lighting element of the vehicle. The method also includes the receipt of one or more marshaling commands based on the indication and the initiation of one or more actions in response to the receipt of the one or more marshaling commands.

Abstract: A method includes the detection of an object in a marshaling environment, a determination of whether one or more conditions is satisfied in response to the detection of the object, a transmission of a request for data originating from one or more sensors of each automated vehicle of one or more automated vehicles, a receipt of the requested data from the one or more automated vehicles, and a performance of one or more corrective actions based on an analysis of the requested data.