Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Samer Abbas

John Patrick Joyce

Scott J Lauffer

Steven R El Aile

Andrew Arthur Brown

Mohannad Hakeem

Daniel A Gabor

Methods and apparatus for autonomous vehicle scheduling are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes memory including machine readable instructions and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to determine that a calendar request for a vehicle is associated with a location or a route previously associated with the vehicle, the calendar request to be generated via a user interface application; generate a predicted request for the vehicle in response to the determination that the calendar request is associated with the location or the route previously associated with the vehicle; and generate a prompt to be presented via the user interface application, the prompt associated with the predicted request for the vehicle.

Methods and apparatus for autonomous vehicle scheduling

Methods and apparatus for autonomous vehicle scheduling are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving, at a first processor, a first request for a vehicle to travel to a location. The first request is to be transmitted to the first processor from a second processor. The example method includes calculating an arrival time of the vehicle based on the first request. The example includes comparing the first request to a second request for the vehicle based on the arrival time. The example method includes scheduling the first request based on the comparison and directing the vehicle to the location based on the schedule.

A first computer including a processor is programmed to receive an indication of a failure mode in a vehicle and wirelessly transmit the indication of the failure mode to a remote server. The computer is further programmed to receive a revised route to a destination based at least in part on the failure mode and operate the vehicle along the revised route.

Autonomous vehicle failure mode management

A vehicle parking brake system includes a power bridge. The power bridge is electrically connected to a primary power source and to a secondary power source. The power bridge has a first condition in which the primary power source is active in which the primary source is electrically connected to a parking brake actuator. The power bridge has a second condition in which the primary power source is not active in which the secondary power source is electrically connected to the parking brake.

Electric parking brake for autonomous vehicles

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for determining a vehicle wireless camera latency. An example vehicle includes a display and a brake light, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive data transmitted by a wireless camera configured to capturing images of the brake light. The processor is further configured to determine a first point in time at which the wireless camera captures the brake light illuminated. The processor is also configured to determine a second point in time at which the display shows the brake light illuminated. And the processor is still further configured to determine a wireless camera latency based on the first and second points in time.

Systems and methods for determining vehicle wireless camera latency

A steering wheel position control system for a vehicle comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive values from the sensors. The controller commands a pivot mechanism to bias a steering wheel to a stowed position based on values from the sensors. The controller also deploys an air bag based on values from the sensors, wherein the steering wheel is pivoted out of a space envelope of the deployed airbag.

Movable steering wheel for autonomous vehicle

A system of computers configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a system, including a computer programmed to control each of an autonomous vehicle propulsion, steering, and braking, where the vehicle is subject to autonomous control. The system makes a first determination, based on data from a vehicle sensor, of availability of a vehicle parking area and makes a second determination, based on at least a geolocation of the vehicle, a system fault, a conditional boundary and availability of the parking area, to autonomously park in the parking area. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Autonomous vehicle parking and transition to manual control

A dashboard assembly for a vehicle includes a dashboard defining a receiving niche. The niche is alignable with a driver seat location, and is selectively fillable by each of a removable steering module and a removable filler module. The removable steering module includes a steering module base. A steering wheel support is fixed to the steering module base. A steering wheel is rotatably fixed to the steering wheel support. A steering wheel connector connects the steering wheel to a vehicle steering actuator. The removable filler module includes a filler module base.

Removable steering wheel and pedals for autonomous vehicle

A steering-wheel assembly includes an actuator, an actuator controller, a steering wheel, an attachment, and a data connector (referred to hereinafter as a first data connector). The actuator controller includes a processor and a memory and is communicatively coupled to the actuator. The steering wheel is rotatably coupled to the actuator. The attachment is coupled to the actuator. The first data connector is mounted on the attachment and in communication with the actuator controller. The actuator controller is programmed to instruct the actuator to rotate the steering wheel based on steering-wheel control data provided via the first data connector.

Removable steering-wheel assembly for an autonomous vehicle

A computing device for a vehicle includes a processor and a memory. The processor is programmed to determine that a vehicle destination includes a boat launch and that the vehicle is towing a trailer including a boat. The computing device guides the vehicle at the boat launch to position the trailer to launch the boat.

Autonomous boat launching

A vehicle computer is programmed to: receive data from the first vehicle sensor indicating at least one signal from a second vehicle. The computer is further programmed to determine that the signal is a permission for the first vehicle to change lanes, and to actuate a change of lane of travel of the first vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Samer Abbas