Abstract: A first message is broadcasted to a plurality of remote computers identifying an attribute of a host vehicle. A second message including a request to receive data about the identified attribute in response to broadcasting the first message is received from one of the remote computers. Upon receiving the second message, a host vehicle component is actuated to output at least one of light or sound associated with the identified attribute.

Abstract: Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and other vehicles, devices, and/or structures. A power outage map can automatically be generated in response to a power outage condition of a grid power source. Both a power outage zone and a predicted power outage zone may be identified within the power outage map. A notification, alternative drive route recommendation, etc. may be sent to users of the bidirectional energy transfer system who are operating their vehicles near the power outage zone or the predicted power outage zone.

Abstract: A system for power reduction during vehicle access. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to receive an access message by a target vehicle, authenticate the access message, and determine either an occurrence of a power-saving condition or a non-occurrence of the power-saving condition. The instructions include activating a greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the non-occurrence of the power-saving condition, and determining not to activate the greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the occurrence of the power-saving condition.

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 window breaker tool for use on a vehicle includes a body having a handle to enable a user to grip the tool, a glass breaker member extending from the handle configured to contact a glass window with force to break the glass window, and an accelerometer operatively coupled to the body to sense acceleration during impact and generate a signature signal. The tool also includes an RF signal communication device located on the tool for communicating with a plurality of RF signal communication devices on the vehicle to determine a location of the tool relative to the vehicle, wherein the RF signal communication device communicates with a controller for processing the signature signal and determining whether the signature signal is indicative of the tool in use to break a window, and wherein the controller further determines the tool is within the vehicle based on the location and outputs an alert signal.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive, from a charge-requesting vehicle, a charge request, determine a suggested provider pool for fulfilling the charge request, the suggested provider pool including multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, send suggested provider data to the charge-requesting vehicle, the suggested provider data identifying the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, receive, from the charge-requesting vehicle, a provider selection identifying one of the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles as a selected charge-providing vehicle, identify transfer parameters for a battery charge transfer from the selected charge-providing vehicle to the charge-requesting vehicle; and send a transfer initiation message to instruct the selected charge-providing vehicle to initiate the battery charge transfer according to the transfer parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body, a plurality of RF signal receivers located at a plurality of locations within the vehicle, an RF signal transmitter configured to be located on a pet for transmitting an RF signal, and a controller for processing the RF signal received by each of the plurality of RF signal receivers and determining a location of the pet based on the received RF signals, wherein the controller generates an output based on the location of the pet and controls at least one vehicle function based on the output.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive range data from a range sensor of a vehicle, detect a person in proximity to the vehicle based on the range data, activate a camera of the vehicle upon detecting the person, set a parameter of one of the camera or a facial recognition algorithm based on the range data of the person, and perform the facial recognition algorithm on the person using data from the camera.

Abstract: A rock rail assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting assembly coupled to the vehicle and comprising a shock absorption pad, and a rail assembly pivotably coupled to the mounting assembly and having a rail. The shock absorption pad is the vehicle-laterally-outboardmost portion of the mounting assembly. The rail assembly is operable to pivot relative to the mounting assembly to move the rail between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position of the rail, a portion of the rail abuts the shock absorption pad.

Abstract: A rock rail assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting structure, an arm mounted to the mounting structure, a motor bracket coupled to the mounting structure, a motor mounted to the motor bracket, a pivot bar pivotably coupled with the mounting structure, a rail coupled with the pivot bar and operable to move between stowed and deployed positions, and a sector gear coupled to the pivot bar. The motor has a shaft that includes a first end, a second end, and a worm gear portion. Operation of the motor drives rotation of the shaft. The sector gear is operably engaged with the worm gear portion of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft by the motor drives pivotal movement of the pivot bar relative to the mounting structure, causing movement of the rail coupled thereto between the stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: An automated projector image optimization (APIO) system for a vehicle having a control system is provided. The APIO system includes a projector configured to display an image, a processor configured to be electrically connected to the control system, and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including receiving a user input corresponding to a display surface, determining a preferred orientation of the projector relative to the display surface, and employing the control system to move the vehicle so that the projector is in the preferred orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electric power take-off from a high-voltage electric battery to a plurality of external devices includes: receiving a first request from a first external device having a first priority for a supply of power from an electric power take-off connector at a first voltage, a first current, and a first variance tolerance; receiving a second request from a second external device having a second priority for supply of power at a second voltage, a second current, and a second variance tolerance; and assigning available power from the high-voltage battery, via a high voltage (HV) variable direct-current to direct-current (DCDC) converter and a current regulator in electrical communication with the high-voltage battery, to the first and second external devices based upon their respective priorities and variance tolerances.

Abstract: An accessory attachment system includes a base plate that provides a plate attachment interface and at least one accessory including an accessory attachment interface to connect to the plate attachment interface. In one example, the accessory attachment interface comprises at least one mounting foot that has a predefined shape to pull the at least one accessory against a side wall mounted base plate as the foot is inserted into an aperture in the base plate and moved vertically to a mounted position. In one example, a locking mechanism that is separate from the mounting foot is movable between a locked position where the accessory is prevented from being removed from the base plate and an unlocked position where the at least one accessory is allowed to be removed from the base plate.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle and a drone. The vehicle receives a site plan along with a plurality of points of interest and receives commands for one or more tasks to be undertaken at each point of interest. The vehicle determines whether a path between at least two of the points of interest is known and travelable by the vehicle. Also, the vehicle autonomously navigates a known path to travelable points of interest based on the determination that a travelable path exists and instructs the drone processors to launch and navigate to points of interest to which the vehicle cannot travel based on the results of the determination.

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: Deployable step systems for accessing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include a bumper integrated step pad that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the step pad establishes a portion of the bumper, and in the deployed position, the step pad is rearward and vertically lowered relative to the bumper.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle operates in a Follow Mode, wherein an apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle includes an exterior monitoring system comprising at least one sensor to monitor an exterior region and to detect a location of a target user. A controller is configured to A) interactively map an activity zone having a selected expanse in the exterior region relative to the vehicle, B) compare a monitored location of the target user to the activity zone, C) detect a relocation event when the comparison of the monitored location of the target user to the activity zone exceeds a predetermined deviation, and D) send a navigation command in response to detecting the relocation event in order to autonomously reposition the vehicle so that a relative location of the target user is restored to the activity zone.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is disclosed. The vehicle lighting system may include a display unit configured to operate in a plurality of display modes. The display unit may be mounted on a vehicle rear top portion. The vehicle lighting system may further include a processor that may be configured to obtain trigger event information associated with the display unit. Based on the trigger event information, the processor may select a display mode from the plurality of display modes, and may activate the display unit responsive to the selection.

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: Systems and methods for modeling electric vehicle towing are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining that a trailer is connected to a vehicle, generating a surface mapping of the trailer based on output of a sensor assembly of the vehicle, predicting a drag coefficient of the trailer based on the surface mapping, estimating a drag force based on the drag coefficient and the surface mapping, calculating an estimated range for the vehicle based on the drag force, and displaying the estimated range on a human machine interface of the vehicle.