Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Matthew Y Rupp

Thomas Edward Pilutti

Roger Arnold Trombley

Peter Gyumyeong Joh

Andrew Waldis

Dorian Jack Spero

Douglas Scott Rhode

Manoharprasad K Rao

Mark Anthony Cuddihy

John Shutko

David Dean Smit

Erick Michael Lavoie

Rajit Johri

Jialiang Le

Hongtei Eric Tseng

Aaron Lewis Mills

Darrel Alan Recker

Michael Hafner

Wilford Trent Yopp

Devinder Singh Kochhar

Jeff Allen Greenberg

Christopher Attard

A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor and an autonomous mode controller configured to receive signals generated by the autonomous driving sensor. The autonomous mode controller controls at least one vehicle subsystem based at least in part on the signals received. Furthermore, the autonomous mode controller is configured to shade at least one vehicle window when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.

Autonomous vehicle with automatic window shade

A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position.

Intuitive driver interface for trailer backup assist

An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Autonomous lane control system

A display system for a vehicle and trailer is disclosed. The system comprises an interface configured to receive a directional input and a controller in communication with the interface and a screen. The controller is operable to receive a hitch angle and determine a heading direction of the trailer. The controller is further operable to determine a predicted heading of the vehicle aligned with the trailer based on the hitch angle. The predicted heading of the trailer is then displayed by the controller on the screen.

Display system utilizing vehicle and trailer dynamics

A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.

Semi-autonomous mode control

In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a trailer backup assist system includes a sensor that senses a measured hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The system also provides an input module that receives a desired curvature of the trailer. A controller of the system includes a curvature regulator determining a desired hitch angle based on the desired curvature and a steering angle of the vehicle. In addition, the controller of the system includes a hitch angle regulator generating a steering angle command based on the desired hitch angle and the measured hitch angle. In this embodiment, the controller is configured to operate the trailer backup assist system irrespective of the attached trailer having a conventional tongue or a gooseneck tongue.

Control for trailer backup assist system

An event is detected arising during autonomous operation of a vehicle. An index in media content associated with the event is identified. At least one instruction is provided to a media module to pause or modify play of the media content based on the event.

Autonomous vehicle media control

A vehicle includes a steering wheel located in a passenger compartment. The steering wheel is configured to be moved from an operational position to a stowed position. In the event of a collision, a first airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the operational position and a second airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.

Autonomous vehicle with reconfigurable interior

A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Matthew Y Rupp