Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Cheri Lyn Hansen

Cynthia M Neubecker

Brian Bennie

Adil Nizam Siddiqui

Jonathan Diedrich

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Brad Alan Ignaczak

Somak Datta Gupta

Haron Abdel-raziq

Douglas Scott Rhode

Joseph F Stanek

Michael Adel Awad Alla

Ryan J Skaff

Eric L Reed

Clara Bennie

Jeffrey Yizhou Hu

Eric She

Wassim Mahmoud Nahle

Dhivya Srinivasan

Noha Ghannam

Systems and methods for ranking routes based on driving complexity are provided. The systems and methods may generate routes for a user based on factors indicative of difficulty levels of the routes (for example, based on the types of road features that exist on the route, among various other factors). The difficulty levels of the generated routes may then be used to automatically select, by a navigation system of a vehicle, a route that is suitable for the user based on their driving experience level. Alternatively, the routes may be presented to the user via the vehicle or a mobile device for selection by the user. The systems and methods may also be dynamic in that the difficulty levels of the routes may be adjusted as the user gains more driving experience.

Systems and methods for ranking routes based on driving complexity

The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for evaluating a driving environment of a vehicle for hearing impairment conditions, detecting a request related to hearing impairment conditions, activating an accessibility mode in response to the request based on the hearing impairment condition, the accessibility mode providing sensory aids in response to the hearing impairment conditions, and altering vehicle motion to enable driver attention to the driving environment. The detecting the request related to hearing impairment conditions includes receiving a driver request for accessibility, a predetermined setting implementing a driver profile indicating a request for accessibility, and an alert from a drivers assisted technology system using artificial intelligence (AI) that the driving environment has hearing impairment conditions. The alert from the DAT system includes analyzing behaviors of the driver including response times to environmental sounds and analyzing driver-chosen volume settings indicative of a hearing-impaired driver.

Systems and methods for hearing impaired drivers

Assistance is provided to a driver of a road vehicle using bioptic eyewear which has a carrier lens and a telescopic lens. Presence of bioptic eyewear on the driver is detected while driving the vehicle. Spatial positioning of the driver with bioptic eyewear is tracked to identify a telescopic event in which the driver is looking through the telescopic lens. A gaze direction through the telescopic lens is detected during the telescopic event. Remote sensing data is collected covering a region of interest corresponding to a projection of the gaze direction. An object is detected within the region of interest. A driving indicator is identified according to the object. The driving indicator is presented to the driver as supplemental information to highlight key driving indicators such as identity of signage and color of a traffic light.

Driver assistance system for drivers using bioptic lenses

On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first request to obtain an image or video of a target location from a requesting party, determining a vehicle located within a specified distance from the target location, transmitting a second request to the vehicle to obtain the image or video of the target location using a camera of the vehicle, the second request including an identification of the target location, performing at least one aspect of image processing to blur, block, or obscure at least a portion of the image, and transmitting the obtained image or video of the target location to the requesting party.

On-demand vehicle imaging systems and methods

A stowable user interface system includes an armrest. The stowable user interface system includes a steering wheel support arm supported by the armrest and movable between an extended position outside the armrest and a retracted position inside the armrest. The stowable user interface system permits an operator of a vehicle to control a steering system of the vehicle when the steering wheel support arm in the extended position. The stowable user interface system stows the steering wheel support arm in the retracted position.

Stowable vehicle interface

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for improving vehicle parking skills. In an exemplary implementation, one or more cameras that are mounted in a vehicle may be used to capture a set of images when the vehicle is parked in a parking spot. The images may include a portion of the vehicle, a portion of another vehicle parked in an adjacent parking spot, an object located outside the parking spot, and/or one or more lines that delineate the parking spot. The images may be processed by a computer to determine distance parameters between the vehicle and items such as the other vehicle, the object located outside the parking spot, and/or the lines of the parking spot. A parking skills grade may then be assigned by the computer, to a driver of the vehicle, based on the distance parameters.

Systems and methods for improving vehicle parking skills

A system includes a computer programmed to receive first data from a first source that is a vehicle. The first data identifies a fault of the vehicle. The computer is programmed to receive second data from a second source outside the vehicle describing an area around the vehicle. The computer is programmed to determine, based on the first and second data, a navigational plan. The computer is programmed to transmit an instruction to the vehicle to actuate the vehicle according to the navigational plan.

Navigation of impaired vehicle

A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to detect a service controller connected to a vehicle, upon authenticating the service controller, receive an operation mode for a vehicle component from the service controller, and actuate the vehicle component within operating limits based on the operation mode.

Vehicle component operation

A system includes a switch biased to a neutral position, a camera, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch and the camera. The computer is programmed to activate a vehicle brake upon receiving data from the switch that the switch is in the neutral position and to activate the vehicle brake upon determining that an operator of the switch is in an inattentive state based on data received from the camera.

Automotive control

A system includes a base defining an opening. The system includes a pair of gaskets supported by the base, the opening disposed between the gaskets. The system includes a pair of pads supported by the base, the gaskets disposed between the pads. The system includes a transparent shield supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the shield abutting one of the pads in the first position and the other of the pads in the second position.

Vehicle sensor system

A system includes a base having a first window and a second window spaced from the first window. The system includes an optical sensor supported by the base. The system includes a mirror supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the mirror directs light from the first window to the sensor. In the second position the mirror directs light from the second window to the sensor.

A computer is programmed to receive, in a vehicle, an instruction, via an ultra-short-range transceiver that is mounted underneath a vehicle exterior surface, and actuate a vehicle component based on the received instruction.

Attachable vehicle control

A system includes a seat. The system includes a steering assembly including a support shaft and a user interface, the steering assembly movable between a first position and a second position. The steering assembly is disposed in front of the seat in the first position and below the seat in the second position.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for contamination prevention of vehicle cameras and sensors. An example vehicle includes an exterior, a camera along the exterior and including a lens, and a controller. The controller is to determine, based upon images captured by the camera, whether a contaminant is approaching the lens and identify a contaminant state upon determining the contaminant is approaching the lens. The example vehicle also includes a nozzle to spray washer fluid to prevent contamination of the lens responsive to the controller identifying that the contaminant is a liquid.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Cheri Lyn Hansen