Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Patrick Hunt

Lacey Trelfa

Matthew Hortop

Justin Wade

Charles E Chang

Henry Huang

Brian Gase

Oliver Jeromin

Larry Parker

Robert J Scaringe

Kyle Mulligan

Kiran Ram Bharwani

Aziz Umit Batur

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative telescoping tailgate systems for an automotive vehicle and illustrative automotive vehicles with a telescoping tailgate system for carrying cargo or passengers. In an illustrative embodiment, a telescoping tailgate system for an automotive vehicle includes: a primary tailgate configured to be movably attached to a body of an automotive vehicle, the primary tailgate defining an opening therethrough; a secondary tailgate movably attached to the primary tailgate; and a telescoping mechanism configured to move the secondary tailgate between a retracted position and an extended position, the secondary tailgate being configured to close the opening in the primary tailgate when the secondary tailgate is in an extended position.

Automotive vehicle with telescoping tailgate

Various disclosed embodiments include methods of locating an intended passenger of an automotive vehicle and vehicle-based systems for locating an intended passenger of an automotive vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a method of locating an intended passenger of an automotive vehicle includes: moving an automotive vehicle to an approximate location of an intended passenger based on a location signal from the intended passenger received via a wireless network; after moving to the approximate location of the intended passenger, receiving, by the vehicle, an image from an electronic device of the intended passenger, the image being an image of the intended passenger or an image of local physical surroundings of the intended passenger; processing the image to determine additional location information of the intended passenger based on matching the image against one or more reference images; and accepting by the vehicle, the intended passenger responsive to the image processing.

Vehicle rideshare localization and passenger identification for autonomous vehicles

Disclosed embodiments include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable medium for augmented reality detection for locating a particular autonomous vehicle. In a non-limiting embodiment, an illustrative method includes providing, by an electronic device to a remote server, a request for an autonomous vehicle. A first signal indicating that the autonomous vehicle is within an accessible range to an intended passenger is received by an electronic device. The passenger is prompted by the electronic device to orient an image sensor of the electronic device towards a designated area of the accessible range. The designated area is imaged by the image sensor for the autonomous vehicle. A visual representation of the imaged designated area is generated on a graphical user interface of the electronic device. The autonomous vehicle is identified within the generated visual representation.

Augmented reality detection for locating autonomous vehicles

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an autonomous vehicle in the presence of hazardous materials. The autonomous vehicle is operated in travel along a selected route. A determination is made, using a sensor, that a hazardous material is present inside the autonomous vehicle during the operation of the autonomous vehicle. In response, a setting of the autonomous vehicle is changed to counteract the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, also in response, a modified route is calculated, the modified route addressing the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle. Then, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the modified route.

Systems and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle in a presence of hazardous materials

An electric vehicle system for transporting human passengers or cargo includes an electric vehicle that includes a body, a plurality of wheels, a cargo area, an electric motor for propelling the electric vehicle, and a primary battery for providing electrical power to the electric motor for propelling the electric vehicle. An auxiliary battery module is attachable to the electric vehicle for providing electrical power to the electric motor via a first electrical connector at the auxiliary battery module and a second electrical connector at the electric vehicle that mates with the first electrical connector. The auxiliary battery module can be positioned in the cargo area while supplying power to the electric motor, and can be removable and reattachable from the electric vehicle. The auxiliary battery module includes an integrated cooling system for cooling itself during operation of the electric vehicle including a conduit therein for circulating coolant.

Electric vehicle with modular removable auxiliary battery with integrated cooling

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an autonomous vehicle. A destination is received from a user. A mode selection input is also received from a user. A selected route is determined based on the destination input. In response to determining that the mode selection input identifies a regular driving mode, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the selected route in the regular driving mode. In the regular driving mode at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is enabled. Further, in response to determining that the selection of the mode identifies a guardian mode, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the selected route in the guardian mode. In the guardian mode at least one capability of a first plurality of capabilities of the autonomous vehicle is disabled.

Systems and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle in a guardian mode

Approaches for charging a battery for an electric vehicle involve obtaining battery usage metrics of the battery of the electric vehicle based upon past usage of the battery and past charging of the battery. The metrics are analyzed to determine a target state of charge (SOC) for a first type of vehicle usage and determine a charging scheme as a function of time to achieve the target SOC at a first predetermined time. The charging scheme includes a first time period and a subsequent second time period, wherein an average rate of delivering charge to the battery during the second time period is greater than an average rate of delivering charge to the battery during the first time period. The battery is charged according to the charging scheme until the battery reaches the target SOC, which is less than a maximum state of charge for the battery.

Growing community of inventors

Evanston, IL, United States of America

Patrick Hunt