Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Nayaz Khalid Ahmed

Daniel Lewis Boston

Jimmy Kapadia

Phillip E Morris

Ali Soloukmofrad

Mohannad Hakeem

Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy

Ahmed Elhadeedy

Ebrahim Nasser

Brett Stanley Hinds

A method for optimizing climate control in an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving a ride request for an autonomous vehicle from a customer. A desired temperature for an interior of the autonomous vehicle may be determined based on the ride request. The current temperature of the vehicle interior may then be adjusted such that the current temperature substantially matches the desired temperature when the autonomous vehicle reaches the customer. The temperature of the vehicle interior may be allowed to deviate from the desired temperature, within a pre-determined temperature deviation range, when the autonomous vehicle is unoccupied. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Autonomous vehicle climate optimization

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a collaborative relationship between a UAV and an automobile. In a first exemplary method, a data capture system is provided in a UAV. The data capture system may be used to capture data when the UAV is in flight. A first computer in the UAV determines one or more limitations associated with wirelessly transmitting some or all of the data from the UAV to an automobile. The first computer may be further used to withhold wireless transmission of a portion of the data to the automobile due to the one or more limitations. The portion of data is transferred to a second computer in the automobile after landing the UAV on the automobile. In a second exemplary method, the UAV includes a communication relay system for relaying to an automobile, signals received from a satellite or a cellular base station.

Collaborative relationship between a UAV and an automobile

A server includes a memory storing a shared pool of user defined vehicle settings packages and may determine, from the shared pool, one or more settings packages meeting a search request. For each determined settings package, the server may determine compatibility of the determined settings package with configurable systems of a vehicle associated with the search request. The server may also present a selectable list of determined settings packages that are also determined to have a predefined minimum level of compatibility with the vehicle and download a selected settings package to the vehicle, responsive to selection of the selected settings package from the selectable list.

Customizable and distributable vehicle personas

A vehicle includes a battery. The vehicle includes a controller configured to inhibit battery charge. The charge inhibition is responsive to state of charge (SOC) of the battery achieving a cascading ceiling threshold during grid charge that decreases each day of a multiday period such that each day an SOC increase during the grid charge to achieve the ceiling threshold is same and the SOC achieves a floor threshold upon completion of a final day drive cycle of the multiday period.

Variable charging strategy for plugin electric vehicles

A vehicle control method includes, by a controller, while an engine is auto-stopped and an electric parking brake is engaged, auto-starting the engine without releasing the electric parking brake responsive to application of an accelerator pedal less than a predefined amount, and auto-starting the engine and releasing the electric parking brake responsive to application of the accelerator pedal greater than the predefined amount. The method also includes comprising auto-stopping the engine and engaging the electric parking brake responsive to vehicle speed being less than a predefined threshold speed.

Customized electric parking brake response to maintain engine auto-stop with brake released

A system includes an elongate member having a connection end electrically coupleable to an attachment point at an external surface of a vehicle. The system includes a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the elongate member. The system includes a computer that is programmed to actuate one or more subsystems in the vehicle including at least one of steering, braking, and a powertrain, based on received motion data from the motion sensor.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Nayaz Khalid Ahmed