Abstract:
A vehicle side viewing system that can replace side view minors of the vehicle and provide improved vehicle aerodynamics. The vehicle side viewing system can be part of a vehicle that has a driver's side and a passenger's side as is known to those skilled in the art. The vehicle side viewing system has a driver's side view camera and a passenger's side view camera. The vehicle side viewing system also has a driver's side heads up display (HUD) and a passenger's side HUD. The driver's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the DSV camera and the passenger's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the PSV camera.
Abstract:
A vehicle includes an engine, a plurality of drive wheels, a vehicle transmission configured to transmit power from the engine to the plurality of drive wheels, one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the one or more vehicle attitude sensors and the vehicle transmission. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a signal from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, determine a degree of vehicle descent based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors, and downshift the vehicle transmission based on the degree of vehicle descent determined based on the signal received from the one or more vehicle attitude sensors.
Abstract:
An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for estimating time of arrival for vehicle navigation are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a route for a vehicle to reach a destination from a current location determining, by the computing device, an estimated time for reaching the destination from the current location. Embodiments of the method additionally include determining, by the computing device, a current range of the vehicle, based on current fuel level and vehicle fuel efficiency and determining, by the computing device and based on the current range, whether the vehicle can reach the destination without refueling. Some embodiments include revising, by the computing device, the estimated time for reaching the destination to include a waypoint to refuel in response to determining that the vehicle cannot reach the destination without refueling and providing, by the computing device, the estimated time for reaching the destination for display to a user.
Abstract:
An audio system for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The audio system is configured to detect the removal of the removable speaker and adjust the audio signal to the fixed speakers so as to maintain the quality of sound within the vehicle. The audio system includes a signal processor configured to detect the presence of the removable speaker. The audio system distributes the frequency transmitted to the removable speaker to the speakers within the automotive vehicle so as to maintain the same sound quality when the removable speaker is removed.
Abstract:
A wheel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly is configured to improve the aerodynamics of the moving automotive vehicle yet maintain the aesthetic appearance of a spoked wheel. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and interconnected to the rim. The spokes spaced apart from each other so as to define a plurality of openings, giving the wheel an aesthetic look. The spokes having a first part operatively connected to a second part. The wheel assembly includes an actuator mechanically attached to each of the plurality of spokes. The actuator is configured to move the first part with respect to the second part so as to cover each of the plurality of openings and form a generally solid disk when the wheel assembly reaches a predetermined speed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wheel assembly.
Abstract:
A vehicle side viewing system that can replace side view mirrors of the vehicle and provide improved vehicle aerodynamics. The vehicle side viewing system can be part of a vehicle that has a driver's side and a passenger's side as is known to those skilled in the art. The vehicle side viewing system has a driver's side view camera and a passenger's side view camera. The vehicle side viewing system also has a driver's side heads up display (HUD) and a passenger's side HUD. The driver's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the DSV camera and the passenger's side HUD is operable to display a camera view from the PSV camera.
Abstract:
Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for estimating time of arrival for vehicle navigation are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a route for a vehicle to reach a destination from a current location determining, by the computing device, an estimated time for reaching the destination from the current location. Embodiments of the method additionally include determining, by the computing device, a current range of the vehicle, based on current fuel level and vehicle fuel efficiency and determining, by the computing device and based on the current range, whether the vehicle can reach the destination without refueling. Some embodiments include revising, by the computing device, the estimated time for reaching the destination to include a waypoint to refuel in response to determining that the vehicle cannot reach the destination without refueling and providing, by the computing device, the estimated time for reaching the destination for display to a user.
Abstract:
A range maximization system for a vehicle accounting for external factors may include a tire pressure sensor and a load carry sensor configured to detect information relevant to a load on the vehicle. A vehicle control unit may be configured to receive detected information from the tire pressure and load carry sensor, and configured to determine a) an expected range for the vehicle with the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure, b) a contribution of the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range, and c) braking parameters, chassis parameters, and engine parameters that maximize vehicle range based on the load and tire pressure. The system may also include a display configured to display the contribution of the detected load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range.