Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling a heating element of a window of a vehicle. The systems and methods include capturing an image of the window with a camera of the vehicle. The image is analyzed to determine a state of the window and the heating element is controlled based on the state of the window.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a powered door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, interior sensors sensing position or movement of an occupant in the cabin interior, and exterior sensors sensing a passerby proximate to the vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller determining an occupant intending to exit the vehicle via the door based on the interior sensors and determining a passerby passing by the door in an open position using the at least one exterior sensors. The controller controls the actuator to open the door when the occupant is intended to exit the vehicle and at least partially closes the door when a passerby is detected passing by the vehicle door and an occupant is determined not to be exiting the vehicle. The controller controls the actuator to open the door further when the passerby is determined to pass by the door.

Abstract: A vehicle receives a message for audible output and designation of a specified recipient. The vehicle uses one or more vehicle sensors to detect a location of the specified recipient. Further, the vehicle determines an audible output level projected to be sufficient for the recipient to hear the message at the location, responsive to detecting the location and outputs the message through speakers of the vehicle at the determined audible output level.

Abstract: A system and method to manage charging priority for at least one accessory includes the steps of: providing one or more charging stations for the at least one accessory, monitoring vehicle power status, and monitoring accessory charging status. Additionally, the allocation of power supplied to the one or more charging stations is managed based on priority requirements as determined per each accessory.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, and forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle running board assembly includes, among other things, a reinforcing insert, and a beam that is extruded over the reinforcing insert. A step pad is extruded over the beam. A vehicle running board manufacturing method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, extruding a beam over a reinforcing insert, extruding a step pad over the beam, and cutting the beam, the reinforcing insert, and the step pad to provide the running board.

Abstract: Parking settings and map data indicative of parking locations in proximity to a structure that are available for the vehicle are maintained to a memory of a vehicle, the parking settings indicating a first time at which the vehicle is to enter an automatic parking mode in which the vehicle moves among the parking locations in proximity to the structure, and a second time at which the vehicle is to exit the automatic parking mode. In the automatic parking mode, responsive to the parking settings indicating an automated parking movement, the parking locations are selected from to determine a parking location into which to move the vehicle and the automated parking movement is performed using a virtual drive system of the vehicle to move the vehicle from a current parked location in proximity to the structure to the determined parking location in proximity to the structure.

Abstract: A storage module connects to a frame forming a door opening of a vehicle. The storage module includes a housing conforming to the door opening and extending into the compartment in an installed configuration. The storage module further includes an exterior panel disposed on a first side of the housing. The exterior panel conforms to an exterior surface of the vehicle enclosing the door opening. At least one storage compartment is disposed inside the housing and the compartment in the installed configuration. The storage compartment includes an access panel forming a portion of the exterior surface and forms a first storage volume.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage compartment, a belt conveyor located in the storage compartment and having a slat belt supported by a pair of rollers, and a shelf operatively coupled to the slat belt and configured to move between a lower stowed position within the storage compartment and an upper deployed position extending outward from the storage compartment.

Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle assembly, including: a roof including a recess; a rail, wherein the rail is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the rail is at least partially within a recess of the roof in the retracted position, wherein the rail is able to connect to an accessory arranged above the roof in the deployed position; and a joint assembly, wherein the joint assembly is configured to guide movement of the rail between the retracted position and the deployed position, wherein the joint assembly includes a first foot, a second foot, and a slotted track, and wherein the first foot and the second foot are arranged at least partially within the slotted track.

Abstract: A computer can execute instructions to: receive power-receiving vehicle data identifying a power-receiving vehicle; identify one or more power-supplying vehicles for providing charging to the power-receiving vehicle; determine a rank for each of the identified one or more power-supplying vehicles based on the received power-receiving vehicle data and data received from the one or more power-supplying vehicles; upon selecting one of the one or more power-supplying vehicles, provide a navigation instruction to navigate at least one of the power-receiving vehicle and the selected power-supplying vehicle to a charging location based on a power-receiving vehicle location and a selected power-supplying vehicle location; and send access data to the power-receiving vehicle to access a charge port of the selected power-supplying vehicle; send a first light actuation instruction to the power-supplying vehicle based on a charging status; and send a second light actuation instruction to the power-receiving vehicle based

Abstract: A vehicle having park assist includes a plurality of powered closure doors, each door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, a plurality of sensors located on the vehicle for sensing objects relative to the vehicle and generating sensed signals indicative of the sensed objects, and a transceiver for communicating with a parked vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller processing the sensed signals, determining a distance and location of the sensed objects relative to the doors, and determining a parking location for the vehicle in a garage where the closure doors are free from contact with an object in the garage when in an open position and are free of contact with powered closure doors on the parked vehicle. An output is provided to assist a driver of the vehicle to park the vehicle in the garage in the determined parking location.

Abstract: A system for braking a host vehicle. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to actuate friction brakes in the host vehicle when a brake condition occurs. The brake condition includes that the host vehicle is parked on a roadway, a person is located exterior to the host vehicle, and an approaching vehicle will come within a distance threshold of the host vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fleet management for a fleet of vehicles include collecting data associated with the fleet of vehicles including data associated with a plurality of vehicle operations affecting degradation of each vehicle in the fleet of vehicles, determining a composite score associated with the fleet of vehicles based on the collected data, the composite score associated with both an average score for the fleet and a standard deviation score associated with each vehicle in the fleet of vehicles, wherein a higher composite score relates to a slower degradation of the fleet of vehicles, and altering assignment of the plurality of vehicle operations assigned to each vehicle in the fleet of vehicles based on the composite score data to enable a higher composite score by equalizing an average degradation of the fleet of vehicles.

Abstract: A method of plating a substrate includes etching at least a portion of a surface of the substrate to form voids within the surface. The substrate includes a composite material with a network of electrically conductive nanostructures dispersed therein. Electrodes are attached to the substrate, it is placed in a bath of a first electrically conductive metal, and a voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrodes to deposit a first electrically conductive metal layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a second electrically conductive metal layer is electroplated thereon.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes determining, via a processor disposed in communication with a sensory device disposed in an interior surface of a cargo bin of a delivery vehicle, that a first package is loaded in the cargo bin, causing to scan, via the processor, a bar code disposed on an exterior surface of the first package, causing to measure, via a RADAR sensory device disposed in the cargo bin, dimensional information associated with the first package, determining, based on the dimensional information, that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, causing to illuminate an output device indicative that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, determining, via the processor, a cargo bin door closed status and generating, via the processor, an output indicating whether the vehicle is ready for delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the allocation of incoming charge power between an on-board power supply power output and HV battery power input. An electric vehicle (EV) may be used to provide power to one or more electrical devices connected to an on-board power supply of the EV. When the EV is connected to a charging device, a rate of charge may be determined. An allocation of the incoming charge power from the charging device may be determined as between a high voltage (HV) battery of the electric vehicle and the on-board power supply of the electric vehicle. Power may be simultaneously provided to the HV battery and the on-board power supply.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to an electric vehicle charging arrangement. An example method executed by a first computer can include evaluating an agreement between a first party associated with an electric vehicle and a second party associated with a property in which the first computer can be located. The method can further include granting to a second computer of the electric vehicle, an authorization to permit the electric vehicle to enter the property of the second party during a time slot defined in the agreement; and granting, to the electric vehicle, access to an electric vehicle charging station on the property during the time slot defined in the agreement. The time slot, which is available for use on a repetitive basis over a stipulated period of time, can be outside of business hours of an activity performed by the second party on the property.

Abstract: Upon identifying an authorized user approaching a vehicle, vehicle locks are controlled to permit the authorized user to access an authorized area based on a user authorization. Permitted vehicle features within the authorized area for the authorized user are identified based on the user authorization. Upon receiving a user input selecting one permitted vehicle feature, the selected permitted vehicle feature is actuated based on determining that a state of charge of a battery is above a charge threshold. Upon determining that the state of charge of the battery decreases below the charge threshold, actuation of the selected permitted vehicle feature is stopped. Then an engine is controlled to charge the battery based on the user authorization.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, each seat having an adjustable seat base and an adjustable seat back, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the cabin interior, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals, the controller further controlling at least one of the adjustable seat base and adjustable seat back of a seat based on the determined location of the pet so that the seat is configured to accommodate the pet.