Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Kathryn E Koski

Scott David Thomas

Jason J Nolte

Sachin K Pindolia

Anthony G Melocchi

Lawrence A Kwiecinski

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling an angle of a wheel assembly for vehicle events. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes a wheel assembly, a structural member, a detection unit, an actuator, and a processor. The detection unit is configured to detect an event for a vehicle that has a wheel assembly. The processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to utilize an actuator to adjust an angle of the wheel assembly in a manner that guides energy absorption or transference from the event toward the structural member.

Wheel assembly adjustment for vehicle events

A method of deploying a side impact airbag is provided. The method includes selectively determining a delay time based on an impact type, where the delay time associated with an impact on a first side is different than the delay time associated with an impact on a second side; and selectively generating a control signal to at least one of deploy and not deploy the side impact airbag based on the delay time.

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New Baltimore, MI, United States of America

Kathryn E Koski