Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

John Charles Rafferty

Clinton John Williams

Lou M Pope

Frankie B Reed

Jeffrey Edward Pierfelice

Stephen L Robertson

Derek A Thompson

Mikio David

Steven H Shannir

Darin Paul Rosekrans

Aaron Weidenaar

Aaron J Brendible

Clinton J Williams

A vehicle includes a computing device configured to detect an object in an external environment via an external sensor. The computing device determines a trajectory for navigation relative the object based on a trust zone. The trust zone is selected based on a trust parameter. The computing device instructs a display device to render a representation of the object and the trajectory relative the object, and determines whether to modify the trust parameter based on feedback data received in response to navigation.

Systems and methods for displaying trajectories for autonomous vehicles

In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a steering wheel, one or more vehicle drive systems, one or more driving mode paddler shifters coupled to the steering wheel, an output device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to the one or more driving mode paddle shifters, the one or more vehicle drive systems, and the output device. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a drive mode shifting signal from the one or more driving mode paddle shifter indicative of a desire to change a driving mode of the vehicle, change one or more parameters of the one or more vehicle drive systems in order to change the driving mode in response to the driving mode shifting signal, and provide a notification related to the change in the driving mode with the output device.

Vehicles, systems, and methods for selecting a recommended vehicle driving mode

User input systems and vehicles having a user input system having a deformable material are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user input system includes a base, a deformable material, wherein at least the base and the deformable material define an enclosure, a sensor layer disposed on or within the deformable material, at least one actuator coupled to the base and disposed within the enclosure, and an input device coupled to the at least one actuator. The at least one actuator is configured to raise the input device to deform the deformable material at a location of a hand on the deformable material based at least in part on a signal provided by the sensor layer.

Deformable user input systems

A vehicle includes a battery, one or more programmable connection ports electrically coupled to the battery, and an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the one or more programmable connection ports. The electronic controller receives a user control signal from a user input device communicatively coupled to the electronic controller, wherein the user control signal indicates a threshold of operation, and selectively operates the one or more programmable connection ports in response to the threshold of operation indicated by the user control signal from the user input device.

Vehicles with one or more programmable connection ports

Methods, apparatuses and systems provide for technology to identify a communication that is to be presented to a user. The technology controls a first plurality of actuators to press a first portion of a light emitting element (LEE) layer against a deformable layer to deform the deformable layer into a shape that represents the communication to be presented to the user, and controls the LEE layer to emit light from the first portion of the LEE layer that is pressed against the deformable layer to illuminate the shape of the deformable layer.

Adaptable and deformable three-dimensional display with lighting emitting elements

A system includes a sensor for sensing an outdoor environment weather condition of an outdoor environment, a processor, and a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, the memory module including one or more processor-readable instructions that when executed, cause the processor to determine an expected departure time, determine the outdoor environment weather condition from data received from the sensor, and send a request for user input to a remote device, the request including a user input selector to initiate at least one climate control system based on one or more of the expected departure time and the outdoor environment weather condition.

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting a cabin climate condition

Vehicles, systems, and methods for changing a vehicle driving mode

A multi-function input apparatus of a steering wheel that includes a plurality of outer buttons that correspond to a plurality of vehicle systems, such that actuation of at least one of the plurality of outer buttons selects a corresponding vehicle system from the plurality of vehicle systems. The apparatus includes a touch pad having a capacitive touch surface that is positioned adjacent the plurality of outer buttons. In response to actuation of the capacitive surface the touch pad is configured to navigate through and select a setting of a plurality of settings of the selected vehicle system. The apparatus further includes a confirmation button positioned adjacent to the touch pad that corresponds to a confirmation input such that actuation of the confirmation button actuates the selected setting of the selected vehicle system.

Multi-function vehicle input apparatuses with operational buttons for vehicle systems control and methods incorporating the same

A method for identifying a location of a rideshare requestor to a rideshare vehicle includes receiving a request to locate the rideshare requestor, determining a first location of the rideshare requestor, determining a second location of the rideshare requestor, determining whether the first location is within a threshold distance of the second location, and, in response to the first location being within the threshold distance of the second location, identifying a first immobile vehicle from one or more immobile vehicles within a preset distance from the first location, and transmitting a signal to the first immobile vehicle to cause the first immobile vehicle to indicate the first location of the rideshare requestor to the rideshare vehicle.

Methods and systems for using parked vehicles to notify rideshare drivers of passenger pickup locations

In one embodiment, a method for trailer safety is provided. The method includes: receiving a request to perform a trailer safety check, wherein the request is associated with a vehicle and a trailer; in response to the request, providing a trailer safety checklist, wherein the trailer safety checklist includes a plurality of user-interface elements, and at least one of the user-interface elements corresponds to a light component of the trailer; receiving a first signal indicating that an operator has selected the user-interface element corresponding to the light component of the trailer, wherein the operator is located outside of the vehicle; and in response to the first signal, causing the light component of the trailer corresponding to the selected user-interface element to turn on.

Systems and methods for trailer safety compliance

A multi-function input apparatus of a steering wheel that includes an outer dial having a planar surface and a center dial having a capacitive surface such that the center dial is responsive to capacitive touch along the capacitive surface. The center dial being disposed within the outer dial and the outer dial is rotatable about a rotation axis independent of the center dial such that the center dial is rotatably fixed when the outer dial rotates. The outer dial including a recessed portion positioned along the planar surface such that the recessed portion is rotatable about the center dial. The recessed portion of the outer dial is translatable along the rotation axis.

Multi-function vehicle input apparatuses with rotatable dials for vehicle systems control and methods incorporating the same

A multi-function input apparatus of a steering wheel that includes an outer dial having a planar surface, and a center dial having a convex surface such that the center dial extends outwardly from the steering wheel. The center dial being disposed within the outer dial. The outer dial is rotatable about a rotation axis independent of the center dial such that the center dial is rotatably fixed when the outer dial rotates. The center dial is translatable on the steering wheel in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction such that the outer dial translates simultaneously with the center dial such that the rotation axis is movable relative to the steering wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Dexter, MI, United States of America

John Charles Rafferty