Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Jim K Rainbolt

Mary Ellen DeCaluwe

Carl W Wellborn

Paul W Alexander

Joseph F Szczerba

Louise E Stauffer

Janet S Goings

David R Fischer

Joseph Neighbors

Spencer W Chamberlain

Sandra N Thomson

Joseph Bilderbeck

Ann K Duffy

Dorel M Sala

Jan Henning Aase

Roy J Mathieu

Ki Hyun Ahn

Roger A Clark

Brian S Repa

William J Ochalek

Jason E Diehl

Methods and systems are provided for taking action when a beverage spill has occurred within a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more sensors, an input device, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to detect that a beverage has spilled within a vehicle. The input device configured to receipt an in input from a passenger of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the input device, and configured to at least facilitate: providing information to a passenger of the vehicle as to an option to obtain a replacement beverage; receiving input from the passenger via the input device, in response to the information provided to the passenger, as to whether a replacement beverage is desired; and taking an action to obtain the replacement beverage, when the passenger has provided the input to obtain the replacement beverage.

Vehicle beverage spill method and system

Enhanced features of a vehicle-based transportation system are presented here. In accordance with one methodology, the transportation system receives a ride request that identifies a passenger, a pickup location, and a destination location. The transportation system determines that the passenger requires user-specific security clearance to access a secured area at or near the destination location, and coordinates with a security system to grant the user-specific security clearance to the passenger. The transportation system can also determine a vehicle drop-off location based on the passenger destination, and coordinate with a navigation system to obtain navigation instructions to guide the passenger from the vehicle drop-off location to the passenger destination.

Building access and layout mapping for an autonomous vehicle based transportation system

Methods and systems are provided for automatically maintaining cleanliness of an vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one sensor signal from a sensor that monitors for particulates within an interior of a vehicle; determining, by the processor, a level of uncleanliness of the vehicle based on the sensor signal; and selectively generating, by the processor, at least one of a control signal to a cleaning element of the vehicle and a notification message based on the determining to achieve the level of cleanliness.

Systems and methods for promoting cleanliness of a vehicle

Methods and systems are provided for cleaning systems of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a floor mat; a vacuum system integrated with the floor mat, the vacuum system comprising a port, one or more ducts, and one or more openings integrated with the floor mat; and a control module that selectively activates suction of the vacuum system based on a detection of a level of uncleanliness of the vehicle.

A semi-autonomous vehicle couplable to a parent vehicle is described, and includes a chassis supported on first and second axles coupled to a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system configured to transfer torque to one of the wheels, a steering system configured to control direction of travel of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a braking system configured to apply braking force to the wheels, a high-voltage electrical energy storage system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system operatively couples to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system. A coupling device is configured to electrically couple the semi-autonomous vehicle to the parent vehicle, the coupling device consisting essentially of a high-voltage DC electrical power bus electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical energy storage system.

Semi-autonomous vehicle providing an auxiliary power supply

A semi-autonomous vehicle includes a chassis having a repository on a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system of the semi-autonomous vehicle is operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system. A non-load-bearing coupling mechanism of the semi-autonomous vehicle includes a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link.

Semi-autonomous vehicle providing cargo space

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Haslett, MI, United States of America

Jim K Rainbolt