Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle includes a steering actuator, a brake actuator a throttle actuator, an interface device and a control system. The interface device has a drive controller coupled to the brake actuator and the throttle actuator, and a steering controller coupled to the steering actuator. The control system is responsive to actuation of the interface device to change one or both of the speed and direction of the vehicle as compared to the instructions executed by the vehicle controller, and the control system is responsive to actuation of the interface device to adjust the instructions as a function of the actuation of the interface device in at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a motion control system for a vehicle includes a steering shaft having an axis of rotation and a motion control input coupled to the steering shaft for rotation with the steering shaft about the axis of rotation. The motion control input is pivotable about a pivot axis that is at a non-zero angle to the axis of rotation, and wherein pivoted movement of the motion control input about the pivot axis in a first direction causes a forward motion of the vehicle, and pivoted movement of the motion control input about the pivot axis in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction reduces a speed of forward motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air deflector assembly set for mounting relative to a vehicle frame at a vehicle door opening and directing airflow relative to a vehicle cabin is provided. The air deflector assembly set includes a first air deflector assembly that includes a first air deflector frame and a first air deflector body supported by the first air deflector frame. The first air deflector body having an air deflecting surface that extends between a forward edge, a rearward edge, a bottom edge and a top edge. The first air deflector assembly is pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame and selectively rotatable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, airflow is deflected to a first rearward location. In the open position, airflow is deflected to a second rearward location, the second rearward location being further back into the vehicle cabin compared to the first rearward location.

Abstract: A thermal management system configured to analyze thermal condition data generated by at least one thermal sensor located in a vehicle of an occupant of the vehicle, and control a flow of conditioned air to the occupant based on the analyzed thermal condition data.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, an interface device for control of multiple movements includes a drive controller and a steering controller. The drive controller is adapted to be movable about a pivot axis relative to a base. The steering controller carried by the drive controller for movement with the drive controller and rotatable relative to the drive controller about an axis of rotation that is not parallel to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for control of a multi-vehicle system having independently powered and steered lead and trailer vehicles connected by a slidable length sensing tow bar system. The MVCS includes a controller configured to receive throttle, brake, and steering signals from the lead vehicle, receive signals from the tow bar system indicating an extension length of the tow bar system, a front angle deviation of the lead vehicle, and a rear angle deviation of the trailer vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received signals, a trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and a trailer vehicle steering output, determine a driving scenario of the multi-vehicle system, and operate the multi-vehicle system based on the determined driving scenario and the determined trailer vehicle acceleration/deceleration output and trailer vehicle steering output.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, an interface device for control of multiple movements includes a drive controller and a steering controller. The drive controller is adapted to be movable about a pivot axis relative to a base. The steering controller carried by the drive controller for movement with the drive controller and rotatable relative to the drive controller about an axis of rotation that is not parallel to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer vehicle includes a length sensing hitch having a first end configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, and an opposite second end configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer vehicle. A free sliding bar is disposed between the first and second ends and configured to allow extension and compression of the length sensing hitch. A length sensor is operably associated with the free sliding bar and configured to sense a length of the tow bar system.

Abstract: A stowable ladder for a vehicle includes a base, a support, at least one step and a retainer. The base may be rotatably coupled to the vehicle, the support is coupled to the base at a first pivot, and at least one step is coupled to the support. The support is movable about the first pivot so that the ladder can be arranged in a folded position and an unfolded position. The retainer selectively prevents and permits rotation of the base from a stowed position to an extended position.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a motion control system for a vehicle includes a steering shaft having an axis of rotation and a motion control input coupled to the steering shaft for rotation with the steering shaft about the axis of rotation. The motion control input is pivotable about a pivot axis that is at a non-zero angle to the axis of rotation, and wherein pivoted movement of the motion control input about the pivot axis in a first direction causes a forward motion of the vehicle, and pivoted movement of the motion control input about the pivot axis in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction reduces a speed of forward motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a movable step for a vehicle includes a base having an upper surface and a mount adapted to be coupled to a vehicle and defining an axis of rotation of the base that is perpendicular to the upper surface of the base. The base rotates about the axis of rotation between an extended position and a retracted position. A retainer has a first position in which the retainer overlaps the base in a path of rotation of the base to prevent rotation of the base from the retracted position to the extended position, and the retainer has a second position in which the retainer does not overlap the base in the path of rotation of the base so that the base is rotatable from the retracted position to the extended position wherein the upper surface is exposed for use as a step.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller configured to generate a trailer reverse screen on the display. The trailer reverse screen includes (i) a trailer rear view showing a view from one or more cameras located on a rear of the trailer vehicle, (ii) a multi-vehicle system top view showing a view from above the multi-vehicle system based on signals from one or more cameras located on the multi-vehicle system, and (iii) a lead vehicle backup camera view from a lead vehicle backup camera, to thereby provide a driver of the lead vehicle with an intuitive perspective for reversing the trailer vehicle without aid from another person outside of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer system with independent propulsion and control is configured to be towed by a lead vehicle. The trailer system includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle, and a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A trailer control system (TCS) includes a controller configured to steer, accelerate, and brake the first and/or second wheels. A trailer sensor suite is in signal communication with the TCS. The TCS is configured for signal communication with a lead vehicle sensor suite, and is configured to control driving and/or operation of the trailer system based on one or more signals from the trailer sensor suite and the lead vehicle sensor suite.

Abstract: A trailer platform system with independent propulsion and control includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, and at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle and/or the second axle. A high voltage battery system is configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A load platform is supported by a chassis and a suspension, wherein the load platform is a wagon-style platform with the first and second wheels located at the four corners of the load platform. A lead vehicle hitch connection is configured to removably couple to a lead vehicle.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI) system for a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle with independent propulsion and control includes a display disposed in the lead vehicle, a lead vehicle sensor suite, a trailer vehicle sensor suite, and a controller in signal communication with the display, the lead vehicle sensor suite, and the trailer vehicle sensor suite. The controller is programmed to generate a trailer mode screen on the display when the trailer vehicle is connected to the lead vehicle. The trailer mode screen includes (i) a trailer top view section providing a top-view graphical representation of the multi-vehicle system, and (ii) a trailer enhanced view section providing a 3D dynamic representation of the multi-vehicle system.

Abstract: A dolly platform system with independent propulsion and control is configured to support a trailer and includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, and at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first and/or second axle. The system further includes a high voltage battery system configured to power the at least one electric traction motor, a load platform having a trailer hitch structure configured to removably couple to the trailer, and a lead vehicle hitch connection configured to removably couple to a lead vehicle. An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system includes a controller in signal communication with one or more sensors and/or cameras. The controller is configured to steer, accelerate, and brake the dolly platform system, based on signals from the one or more sensors and/or cameras.

Abstract: A tow bar system for an independently steered and powered trailer includes a front tow bar configured to removably couple to a hitch of a lead vehicle, a rear tow bar configured to removably couple to a hitch of the trailer, and a damper system disposed between the front tow bar and the rear tow bar. The damper system is configured to absorb compressive and tensile loads occurring during steering, accelerating, and braking of the independently steered and powered trailer.

Abstract: A multi-vehicle control system (MVCS) for dynamic stability and control of a multi-vehicle system having a lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle each with independent propulsion and control. The MVCS includes a controller in signal communication with the lead vehicle and a trailer vehicle advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) or autonomous driving system via a controller area network (CAN) bus. The controller is configured to (i) receive throttle, brake, and steering signals respectively from a throttle-by-wire system, a brake-by-wire system, and a steer-by-wire system of the trailer vehicle ADAS or autonomous driving system, (ii) receive lead vehicle control inputs from the lead vehicle, and (iii) modify a throttle, a steering, and a braking of the trailer vehicle, based on the received lead vehicle control inputs, to dynamically stabilize the multi-vehicle system such that the trailer vehicle does not induce forces that accelerate or slow the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a track latch assembly having a lower track configured to couple to a vehicle floor, an upper track coupled to a seat base, a recline handle rotatably coupled to a seat bottom, and a track release mechanism configured to move between a disengaged position that enables relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track, and an engaged position that facilitates preventing relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track. Rotation of the recline handle is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and movement of the seat bottom from a lowered position to a raised position is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position. A pivot latch assembly prevents movement of the seat bottom to and from the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a track latch assembly having a lower track configured to couple to a vehicle floor, an upper track coupled to a seat base, a recline handle rotatably coupled to a seat bottom, and a track release mechanism configured to move between a disengaged position that enables relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track, and an engaged position that facilitates preventing relative sliding movement between the lower track and the upper track. Rotation of the recline handle is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and movement of the seat bottom from a lowered position to a raised position is configured to move the track release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position. A pivot latch assembly prevents movement of the seat bottom to and from the lowered and raised positions.