Abstract: A vehicle includes a system for cleaning a contaminant from a surface of a vehicle. The system includes a camera for obtaining an image of the surface, the surface including the contaminant, a plurality of cleaning devices for cleaning the contaminant from the surface, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a contamination measure from the image, the contamination measure indicative of a contamination level of the surface from the image, determine a contaminated region and a contaminant type from the image, select a cleaning approach for cleaning the surface based on the contamination measure, the contaminated region, and the contaminant type, the cleaning approach including selecting a cleaning device from the plurality of cleaning devices, selecting a cleaning direction and selecting a cleaning duration, and control the cleaning device using the cleaning approach.

Abstract: A method for processing vehicle camera lens obstructions including obtaining an image from a vehicle camera, generating a first camera lens dirt map according to pixel texture richness and color spectrum levels extracted from the image, obtaining a sequential feed of multiple frames from the vehicle camera, generating a second camera lens dirt map according to at least one salient region extracted from the multiple frames, combining the first camera lens dirt map and the second camera lens dirt map to generate a combined camera lens dirt map, and initiating at least one of automated lens cleaning or a camera lens obstruction signal, according to the combined camera lens dirt map.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and adaptive display adjustment methods are provided. One method involves obtaining image data captured using an initial frame rate from an imaging system onboard the vehicle, obtaining current vehicle state information, determining a representative exposure setting for the imaging system based at least in part on the current vehicle state information, determining an estimated illuminance of a surrounding environment of the vehicle based at least in part on the image data and the representative exposure setting and automatically configuring the imaging system for a different, updated frame rate based on the estimated illuminance.

Abstract: A method for confirming arrival at a target location includes comparing, by one or more controllers, properties of a plurality of identifying features of the target location with properties of a corresponding plurality of corresponding features of a present location to result in a plurality of comparisons. The method additionally includes identifying, by one or more controllers, the present location as the target location if the plurality of comparisons concludes that the present location is the target location. The properties of a plurality of identifying features of the target location include at least one property of one or more wireless communication networks expected to be detectable at the target location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for data processing that include cameras and processors. The cameras are configured to obtain data including frames. The processors are coupled to the cameras, and are configured to at least facilitate identifying, for each frame, regions of interest for privacy protection; extracting, for each region of interest, high level properties of the region of interest for the frame; generating a replacement image for each of the regions of interest, thereby protecting privacy while maintaining the high level properties of the region of interest; and updating the frame utilizing the replacement image for each of the one or more regions of interest, generating an updated frame that protects individual privacy.

Abstract: A method includes virtually dividing a cargo area of a vehicle into a plurality of virtual cells. The method also includes creating, by implementing machine learning, a load profile for the cargo area. The load profile indicates a weight estimate at each of the plurality of virtual cells based on a load in the cargo area. Guidance on moving the load within the cargo area is provided based on the load profile to balance the load in the cargo area.

Abstract: Tandem charging for electric vehicles (EVs) electrically interconnected with each other. The tandem charging may include determining a plurality of EVs requesting to be charged with electrical power available from a charging station, determining charging parameters for the EVs, scheduling charging of the EVs according to the charging parameters, and/or authorizing a pecuniary charge to billing accounts of the EVs in recompense for the charging.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring how level a trailer is and providing trailer levelling guidance. The systems and methods include a vehicle comprising a vehicle levelness estimator, a trailer connectable to the vehicle and a rear facing camera mounted on the vehicle. The methods and systems include capturing an image of the trailer using the rear facing camera, receiving a vehicle levelness parameter from the vehicle levelness estimator of the vehicle, determining a rotation angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based on the image, determining an estimated trailer levelness parameter based on the rotation angle and the vehicle levelness parameter, and outputting the estimated trailer levelness parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a datastore device, intrinsic and extrinsic parameter data associated with an image sensor coupled to a trailer and configured to capture an image that includes at least a portion of the vehicle; receiving, by a processor, image data from the image sensor of the trailer; determining, by the processor, a region of interest within the image data based on a feature of the vehicle; computing, by the processor, a hitch articulation angle from the region of interest and the parameter data; and generating, by the processor, hitch articulation angle data for use in controlling at least one of the vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for augmenting rearview displays for vehicles are provided. An exemplary method is provided for augmenting a rearview display for a vehicle having a gate moveable between a closed configuration and an opened configuration. The method includes collecting dynamic pixel images of an area behind the vehicle using a camera connected to the vehicle. Further, the method includes, in response to a command, displaying graphical overlays to the collected dynamic pixel images on a display screen, via a processor, wherein the graphical overlays depict an outline of the gate and/or projected path of the gate in the opened configuration.

Abstract: Systems for detecting movement of a trailer having a rearward facing camera and linked to a tow vehicle. The systems include taking a first image and a second image with the camera and comparing the images. A first amount of trailer movement is determined between the second image and the first image. The systems may also take additional images and determine a second amount of trailer movement occurring between the additional images. Tracking the first amount and the second amount of trailer movement determines an amount of trailer sway. The determined trailer sway may be compared to a maximum allowable sway and, if the movement is greater than the maximum allowable sway, mitigating sway of the trailer with the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A multimodal freight monitoring and contextual notification system for a delivery vehicle. The system may include one or more monitoring systems configured to generate monitoring data for multimodal monitoring of freight included within a cargo bay of the delivery vehicle and a contextual notification controller configured to generate a contextual notification as a function thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a virtual view of a scene associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining image data including a plurality of images captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle; obtaining steering angle data captured by a sensor of the vehicle; detecting, by a processor, a shadow in at least one image of the plurality of images; determining, by the processor, auto-white balance data for each image of the plurality of images; selectively combining, by the processor, the auto-white balance data of the images based on the detected shadow, and the steering angle data; and generating, by the processor, output image data based on the combined auto-white balance data and the image data.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for augmenting rearview displays for vehicles are provided. An exemplary method is provided for augmenting a rearview display for a vehicle having a gate moveable between a closed configuration and an opened configuration. The method includes collecting dynamic pixel images of an area behind the vehicle using a camera connected to the vehicle. Further, the method includes, in response to a command, displaying graphical overlays to the collected dynamic pixel images on a display screen, via a processor, wherein the graphical overlays depict an outline of the gate and/or projected path of the gate in the opened configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assisting a user with parking a vehicle in a parking space. In various embodiments a method includes: receiving, by a processor, user input indicating a position of a virtual line displayed on a display screen of the vehicle, wherein the virtual line is adjustable by a user; storing, by the processor and in a datastore, the position of the virtual line and a vehicle position associated with a parking space; and selectively displaying, by the processor, an appearance of the virtual line on the display screen when the vehicle is within a range of the vehicle position to assist a user in parking the vehicle in the parking space, wherein the selectively displaying is based on a comparison of a boundary within a scene associated with the parking space and the virtual line.

Abstract: Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses are provided for monitoring cable connections between a trailer and vehicle. The system includes a monitoring device disposed within the vehicle; and a trailer cable and a breakaway trailer cable that provide a set of cable connections, the monitoring device is configured to: monitor the set of cable connections from connection data generated by a set of multimodal sensors integrated with the vehicle about statuses of the cable connections between the trailer and the vehicle; initiate a monitor function upon detection of a presence of the trailer connected to the vehicle by at least one sensor of the set of multimodal sensors integrated with the vehicle; and determine the statuses of the cable connections by fusing together using an information fusion algorithm one or more types of signal data from the set of multimodal sensors comprising optical signal data, radio signal data, and range signal data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring how level a trailer is and providing trailer levelling guidance. The systems and methods include a vehicle comprising a vehicle levelness estimator, a trailer connectable to the vehicle and a rear facing camera mounted on the vehicle. The methods and systems include capturing an image of the trailer using the rear facing camera, receiving a vehicle levelness parameter from the vehicle levelness estimator of the vehicle, determining a rotation angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle based on the image, determining an estimated trailer levelness parameter based on the rotation angle and the vehicle levelness parameter, and outputting the estimated trailer levelness parameter.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for a digital flashlight for a vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a display of a vehicle; and a processor coupled to the display of the vehicle and a camera of the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: obtaining a camera image frame via the camera of the vehicle; determining a first region of the camera image frame having a first brightness level; determining a second region of the camera image frame having a second brightness level that is greater than the first brightness level; and providing instructions to the display of the vehicle for displaying the first region with increased brightness that is based on the second brightness level.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for a digital flashlight for a vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a display of a vehicle; and a processor coupled to the display of the vehicle and a camera of the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: obtaining a camera image frame via the camera of the vehicle; determining a first region of the camera image frame having a first brightness level; determining a second region of the camera image frame having a second brightness level that is greater than the first brightness level; and providing instructions to the display of the vehicle for displaying the first region with increased brightness that is based on the second brightness level.

Abstract: A method includes virtually dividing a cargo area of a vehicle into a plurality of virtual cells. The method also includes creating, by implementing machine learning, a load profile for the cargo area. The load profile indicates a weight estimate at each of the plurality of virtual cells based on a load in the cargo area. Guidance on moving the load within the cargo area is provided based on the load profile to balance the load in the cargo area.