Abstract: An attachment structure includes a cross bar body extending between a first end and a second end, a first mount coupled to the first end, and a second mount coupled to the second end. The first mount and the second mount each include at least one cleat that is selectively securable to a base plate that includes a plurality of mounting apertures.

Abstract: While a state of charge of a supplemental battery, that provides power to an electrical bus via a first DC/DC converter, is greater than a predefined threshold and responsive to a magnitude of current associated with loads on the electrical bus exceeding a predefined value, a controller reduces a setpoint of the first DC/DC converter to equal that of a second DC/DC converter, that transfers power between the electrical bus and a traction battery, such that the loads are powered by the supplemental and traction batteries.

Abstract: Responsive to a magnitude of current associated with power from a vehicle being supplied to loads having a same priority approaching or exceeding a predefined threshold and indication that one of the loads has not been present at a same time as other of the loads, one or more controllers may shed or operate with reduced power the one of the loads before shedding or operating with reduced power the other of the loads.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The UAV may include a UAV transceiver configured to receive course information associated with a course. The UAV may further include a UAV processor that may be configured to obtain the course information from the UAV transceiver. Responsive to obtaining the course information, the UAV processor may determine a UAV position in the course, and identify a course marker, from a plurality of course markers, in proximity to the UAV position based on the course information. The UAV processor may then determine navigation instructions associated with the course marker for a vehicle to navigate the course based on the course information. The UAV may be configured to move in proximity to a vehicle front portion and display the navigation instructions.

Abstract: A method of providing vehicle guidance for traversal of rutted terrain may include employing a sensor network to determine characteristics of ruts in the rutted terrain, and determining a proximity value between a portion of a body of the vehicle and the rutted terrain based on the determined characteristics. The method may further include, responsive to the proximity value being below a proximity threshold, defining a strategy for positioning the vehicle at a point of increased ground clearance relative to the ruts, and providing a guidance instruction to the vehicle according to the defined strategy.

Abstract: A pedestrian alerting system adapts alerting sounds emitted by a vehicle according to an acoustic environment around the vehicle. Echoes of the alerting sound in an enclosed space such as a garage can be irritating to the pedestrians and/or occupants of the vehicle. A sensor suite including radar, cameras, and/or a GPS locator detect confined spaces in which reflections result in a greater apparent loudness. Emitted loudness of the alerting sounds are reduced, wherein the reduction of the volume may be based on the size of the space.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical distribution system includes an electrical box having at least one power outlet. The electrical box is configured to be moved between a stowed position where the electrical box is housed within a compartment of a vehicle, and an deployed position where the electrical box is outside the compartment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for coordinating and executing in-flight energy transfer events between vehicles. Energy may be transferred from a towing or leading vehicle to a towed or trailing vehicle, from the trailing vehicle to the leading vehicle, or both during the in-flight energy transfer events. The proposed systems may further be configured to coordinate the terms and conditions of a service agreement between the leading and trailing vehicles, coordinate the publication of a service experience rating from a user of the leading and/or trailing vehicle, and/or coordinate the termination of the in-flight charging event by either user.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes an imaging device located on the vehicle and oriented to capture images, memory storing one or more pet profiles, and a controller processing the captured images to detect a pet and determining at least one of an estimated pose of the pet and a gait of the pet, wherein the processor determines a bone structure of the pet from the at least one estimated pose and gait and compares the bone structure to the one or more pet profiles to detect an authorized pet, the controller controlling one or more vehicle related features based on the detected authorized pet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a vehicle panel that is moveable between a closed position and an open position and a viewing screen that is supported relative to an inner surface of the vehicle panel. The viewing screen is moveable between an internal viewing position and an external viewing position when the vehicle panel is in the open position.

Abstract: This disclosure details two toned door handles for vehicle doors. An exemplary two toned door handle may include a non-metallized portion and a metallized portion. The metallized portion may include a metallic layer that is transparent to signals sent and received by an antenna module packaged inside the two toned door handle. Exemplary methods for cost-effectively manufacturing the two toned door handle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A charging port assembly may include a charging port configured to couple to a plug to charge the electrified vehicle. A charging port assembly may include a first flap moveable between a closed position and at least one open position by movement about an axis adjacent a top of the charging port. A charging port assembly may include a second flap moveable between a closed position and at least one open position by movement about the axis.

Abstract: A system includes a first vehicle computer programmed to monitor first vehicle sensor data as the first vehicle traverses a route; identify a location of interest along the route based on a topographic feature of the location of interest determined from the first vehicle sensor data; and store a selected subset of the first vehicle sensor data for the location of interest in a set of collected data about the route. The system further includes a second computer programmed to receive the collected data about the route; and based on the collected data about the route, generate a set of guidance data including one or more recommended operating parameters for the location of interest, whereby the recommending operating parameters are available to a third computer for a second vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable base plate system includes a first track structure configured to extend along one side of a vehicle cargo area and a second track structure configured to extend along an opposite side of a vehicle cargo area. At least one base plate has a first edge and a second edge opposite of the first edge, wherein the first edge is supported by the first track structure and the second edge is supported by the second track structure. The first track structure and the second track structure each comprise at least a first tier track and a second tier track such that a distance between a bottom surface of the at least one base plate and a support surface of the vehicle cargo area can be adjusted.

Abstract: A battery housing assembly for housing battery components of an electric vehicle includes a battery tray, a lid, and a sealant. The battery tray includes a channel located outwardly relative to the battery components. The lid is secured to the battery tray and includes an end portion disposed within the channel. The lid further includes at least one alignment feature configured to align the lid and the battery tray. The sealant is disposed within a portion of the channel of the battery tray and is configured to secure the battery tray and the lid to each other. The sealant is further configured to seal an internal cavity of the battery housing assembly.

Abstract: A tool application system for a vehicle may include a database configured to maintain an inventory of items on a vehicle, and a server configured to receive a request for at least one item relating to a worksite from a technician, compare the request for the at least one item to the inventory, determine that the item is not part of the inventory, transmit a part request to at least one location based on at least one factor, and transmit instructions to the vehicle in response to receiving a response to the request from the location confirming availability of the item.

Abstract: A vehicle winch control assembly includes, among other things, a winch, and a vehicle input device that is reassigned to control the winch. The vehicle input device can be an accelerator pedal. A vehicle winch control method includes, among other things, reassigning a vehicle input device, and, after the reassigning, controlling a winch using the vehicle input device.

Abstract: An inductive connection system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface on a support surface. The baseplate is configured to engage with at least one accessory via the attachment interface to secure the accessory to the support surface. The attachment interface provides a plurality of different mounting positions for the at least one accessory. At least one puck is selectively coupled to the attachment interface to provide a desired one of the plurality of different mounting positions.

Abstract: One or more controllers may, after activation of a vehicle, sequentially pulse field effect transistors of a power distribution module of the vehicle that are connected to inputs of an upfitter power module, and preclude operation of the upfitter power module responsive to, for at least two of the field effect transistors, electrical parameters resulting from the corresponding pulses being reported for a same one of the inputs.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transceiver configured to support multiple frequency bands; a display; and a controller programmed to, responsive to detecting the vehicle is stolen, generate a message including a location of the vehicle, transmit the message to one or more external devices via the transceiver using the multiple frequency bands; generate a first notice; and output the first notice via the display.