Abstract: A computer-implemented method and computer program product for presenting information about a vehicle function to a user of a vehicle and enabling control of the vehicle function. The method includes the steps of: (a) securely connecting a software application to a vehicle network; (b) selecting a vehicle function from a plurality of vehicle functions; (c) presenting to the user the information about the selected vehicle function; and (d) controlling the selected vehicle function based on preferences of the user. The computer program is configured to perform the aforementioned steps.

Abstract: A personal virtual agent for journey planning for a user of a vehicle, having a central processing unit, a user interface device for communication with at least one user-specific information memory, a vehicle interface device for communication with at least one vehicle-specific information memory, and a route interface device for communication with at least one information memory for routes. The central processing unit is embodied to take into consideration information from the user-specific information memory and/or information from the vehicle-specific information memory (to receive at least one route from the information memory for routes, and to take into consideration the information from the user-specific information memory and the information from the vehicle-specific information memory to select a route.

Abstract: A method includes: determining, based, at least in part, on a predicted driver characteristic, a first energy-versus-distance measure for a planned driving route of a vehicle, the first energy-versus-distance measure determined using an energy model; presenting the first energy-versus-distance measure on a user interface associated with the vehicle; identifying an already-driven part of the planned driving route; determining, based on information associated with the already-driven part of the planned driving route, a model error associated with the energy model; determining a second energy-versus-distance measure by modifying the first energy-versus-distance measure to account for the model error; and presenting the second energy-versus-distance measure on the user interface associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes: determining, based, at least in part, on a predicted driver characteristic, a first energy-versus-distance measure for a planned driving route of a vehicle, the first energy-versus-distance measure determined using an energy model; presenting the first energy-versus-distance measure on a user interface associated with the vehicle; identifying an already-driven part of the planned driving route; determining, based on information associated with the already-driven part of the planned driving route, a model error associated with the energy model; determining a second energy-versus-distance measure by modifying the first energy-versus-distance measure to account for the model error; and presenting the second energy-versus-distance measure on the user interface associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A personal virtual agent for journey planning for a user of a vehicle, having a central processing unit, a user interface device for communication with at least one user-specific information memory, a vehicle interface device for communication with at least one vehicle-specific information memory, and a route interface device for communication with at least one information memory for routes. The central processing unit is embodied to take into consideration information from the user-specific information memory and/or information from the vehicle-specific information memory (to receive at least one route from the information memory for routes, and to take into consideration the information from the user-specific information memory and the information from the vehicle-specific information memory to select a route.

Abstract: A method includes: determining, based, at least in part, on a predicted driver characteristic, a first energy-versus-distance measure for a planned driving route of a vehicle, the first energy-versus-distance measure determined using an energy model; presenting the first energy-versus-distance measure on a user interface associated with the vehicle; identifying an already-driven part of the planned driving route; determining, based on information associated with the already-driven part of the planned driving route, a model error associated with the energy model; determining a second energy-versus-distance measure by modifying the first energy-versus-distance measure to account for the model error; and presenting the second energy-versus-distance measure on the user interface associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving information corresponding at least to (i) a state of charge of an energy storage of a vehicle, (ii) route information corresponding to a planned driving route for the vehicle, and (iii) a predicted driver characteristic; determining using the received information, and presenting to a driver of the vehicle, a first energy-versus-distance measure for the planned driving route; receiving a user input indicating a proposed change in at least the driver characteristics, and determining using the received information and the user input, and presenting to the driver, a second energy-versus-distance measure for the planned driving route that takes into account the proposed change.

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving information corresponding at least to (i) a state of charge of an energy storage of a vehicle, (ii) route information corresponding to a planned driving route for the vehicle, and (iii) a predicted driver characteristic; determining using the received information, and presenting to a driver of the vehicle, a first energy-versus-distance measure for the planned driving route; receiving a user input indicating a proposed change in at least the driver characteristics, and determining using the received information and the user input, and presenting to the driver, a second energy-versus-distance measure for the planned driving route that takes into account the proposed change.

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.