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.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to select a scanning rate for a first sensor of a vehicle based on at least one of data related to a current time or data related to a location of the vehicle; instruct the first sensor to run at the selected scanning rate; in response to receiving data from the first sensor indicating a newly present object, turn on a second sensor; and then record data from the second sensor. The second sensor has a higher power draw than the first sensor.

Abstract: A pet bowl is provided that comprises a housing defining a water container, a proximity sensor located proximate to the water container, the proximity sensor having conductive circuitry comprising a first circuit made of a first metal and a second circuit made of a dissimilar second metal, and a controller processing signals received from the proximity sensor, the controller selectively switching the conductive circuitry between a first configuration operating as the proximity sensor to sense water contained in the container and a second configuration operating as a thermocouple to sense temperature proximate to the water container.

Abstract: A system receives a request for gate formation, including indication of a location where one or more vehicles are to form a gate. The system determines a number of vehicles to form the gate. The system also determines available vehicles in proximity to the location and, responsive to the available vehicles including at least the number of vehicles, selects the number of vehicles from the available vehicles to serve as gate vehicles. Also, the system instructs the gate vehicles to autonomously travel to the location and arrange in a designated formation, included in the instruction, to form the gate.

Abstract: A snow and ice vehicle accumulation determination and removal system for an electrified vehicle uses weight/load estimation methods based on vehicle sensors and user input to determine if the vehicle has accumulated a significant amount of snow/ice that could negatively affect the vehicle range. When a weight variation exists above a predetermined threshold which can be accounted for only as being due to snow and ice, then the invention may (1) warn the driver of reduced range and the reason for it, (2) perform drivetrain and/or cabin heating that may contribute to melting of the snow and ice (e.g., automatically adjusting powertrain performance to generate increase heat, such as running at a higher RPM), and/or (3) instruct the driver to proceed to an environment which can warm the vehicle (such as a facility equipped with a hot water spraying device).

Abstract: A vehicle-aided detection system for a vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle-aided detection system includes an end effector that is movable in an operating environment and coupled to a cargo bed via a robotic arm. A sensor system is configured to detect the end effector and at least one person in the operating environment. A controller is configured to process information received from the sensor system and to determine a physical profile of at least one person. The controller then determines whether user-worn equipment is equipped by the at least one person.

Abstract: A system receives a request for assistance on a task, the request at least identifying the task. The system determines one or more designated entities having predefined characteristics associated therewith indicating suitability for assistance and determines a current status of each determined entity and whether the status indicates availability for assistance. Further, the system contacts at least one of the entities for which the characteristics indicate suitability and for which the status indicates availability and, responsive to at least one entity indicating willingness to assist, opens a communication channel between a requestor, from whom the request originated, and the at least one entity indicating willingness to assist.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating steering controls between towing vehicles and towed vehicles provide more cohesive parking experiences during towing events, including bidirectional charging towing events. The towed vehicle may be controlled to provide assistive parking steering maneuvers to assist the towing vehicle when parking during the towing event. The assistive parking steering maneuver may include maneuvering a drive wheel of the towed vehicle either toward or away from a detected curb or detected traffic, for example.

Abstract: Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and households or other structures, such as for supporting transient loads associated with the households/structures, for example. Vehicle information, driving habit information, and household information may be leveraged for providing enhanced transient load capability controls that permit increased appliance usage without increasing energy costs. The proposed systems/methods may particularly allow for bidirectional energy transfer support of high load appliances for increasing a user's comfort, pleasure, and convenience.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for controlling electrical power outlets in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller includes detecting a transitioning of a vehicle to a drive mode and further includes disconnecting, based on the transitioning, electrical power supplied to a first electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The transitioning of the vehicle to the drive mode may be detected based on a transition of a drive selector of the vehicle from a park position to a drive position. In another example method, the processor, detects the vehicle in motion and disconnects electrical power supplied to a second electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The first electrical power outlet and/or the second electrical power outlet are accessible from outside the vehicle, and may, for example, be located outside a cabin area of the vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for guiding an individual to an electrical power outlet in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller in a vehicle includes determining that an individual is seeking an electrical power outlet provided on the vehicle, selecting a first electrical power outlet from a plurality of electrical power outlets provided on the vehicle, and providing location information of the first electrical power outlet. The location information may be provided in various forms such as in the form of an audio signal (a beeping sound produced by a beeper, for example), a visual indication (a light source illuminating the electrical power outlet, for example) an audible instruction (navigation assistance provided via a speaker, for example), a graphical indication (navigation assistance via a personal device), and/or a text message (navigation assistance via a personal device).

Abstract: A composite material includes a recycled polymer matrix, a continuous network of linked carbon nanostructures dispersed within the recycled polymer matrix, and a compatibilizer. The recycled polymer matrix is in an amount of at least 90 wt. %. The continuous network of linked carbon nanostructures is in an amount between 0.5 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %. The compatibilizer is in an amount of about 3.0 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of fasteners includes extruding a continuous strip of material, the continuous strip defining a base portion, a tip portion, and a stem portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. A portion of material is removed from the continuous strip of material along the tip portion such that a plurality of tip portions are separated from each other and spaced apart, each tip portion having at least one flexible tab. The continuous strip of material is then extruded through a foaming die, wherein the flexible tabs are elastically displaced away from the base portion during a foaming process such that a foam material fills a cavity of the foaming die to form a sealing element around the stem portion. Portions of the continuous strip between each of the tip portions are separated to produce a plurality of individual sealed fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a cargo bed having a first and a second sidewall. A rail assembly is disposed on the first sidewall. The rail assembly is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first sidewall. An actuator system raises and lowers the rail assembly to move the rail assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a dashboard located in the cabin interior, and a desk supported on the dashboard and movable between a stowed position on the dashboard and a deployed position extending outward from the dashboard, the desk comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having arms configured to engage a track to bend around at least a portion of the dashboard, and wherein the desk operably moves along the track when moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a cabin having an interior and a passenger door, an interior panel located in the interior, a track located in the passenger door within the interior, and a desk operably housed in a slot in the interior panel and slidably coupled to the slot in the interior panel and the track to move between a stowed position within the interior panel and a use position extending outward from the interior panel.

Abstract: An item repositioning method includes, in response to a request for an item, moving a vehicle along a first route to a location of the item, loading the item in the vehicle using a lift assist device mounted to the vehicle, moving the vehicle along a second route to transport the item to a desired location, and at the desired location, unloading the item from the vehicle using the lift assist device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powered door having an actuator to move the door between open and closed positions, a transceiver configured to communicate with one or more mobile devices, and an imaging device oriented to capture images in a region proximate to the powered door. A controller processes the captured images and controls the actuator to move the door to the open position when a mobile device is detected proximate the vehicle and a user is detected in the captured images located in a door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a face of a user is recognized as an authorized user located in the door detection zone. The controller moves the door to the open position when a gait of the user is detected and identifies the gait are indicative of an authorized user located in the door detection zone.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior and comprising a front row of seats and a rear row of seats, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, and a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet or passenger within the cabin interior. The vehicle also includes a movable center console positioned between a pair of the forward row of seats and forward of the rear row of seats and comprising a holder for holding a drink container, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the detected pet or passenger on the rear row of seats based on the processed signals, the controller further controlling the movable console between a forward first position and a rearward second position closer to the rear row of seats.

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.