A vehicle includes a panel that defines an aperture. The vehicle also includes a cover operably coupled to the panel. The cover is operable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the cover conceals the aperture. In the second condition, access to the aperture is provided. The vehicle further includes an electrical connector coupled to the cover, such that the electrical connector moves with the cover as the cover moves between the first and second conditions. Movement of the cover from the first condition to the second condition reveals the electrical connector.

A vehicle includes a panel that defines an aperture. The vehicle also includes a cover operably coupled to the panel. The cover is operable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the cover conceals the aperture. In the second condition, access to the aperture is provided. The vehicle further includes an electrical connector coupled to the cover, such that the electrical connector moves with the cover as the cover moves between the first and second conditions. Movement of the cover from the first condition to the second condition reveals the electrical connector.

A vehicle-interior monitoring apparatus for a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave sensor, a determiner, and a movement sensor. The millimeter-wave sensor outputs a millimeter radio wave toward a vehicle cabin of the vehicle and detects a millimeter reflection wave from an in-vehicle object including either one of an occupant and baggage in the vehicle cabin. The determiner determines a type of the in-vehicle object based on a detection level of the detected millimeter reflection wave. The movement sensor detects movement of the vehicle. The determiner re-determines that a determined in-vehicle object is either one of the baggage and a child as the occupant based on a positional change of the determined in-vehicle object upon the movement sensor detecting the movement of the vehicle, the determined in-vehicle object being the in-vehicle object of which the determiner has determined the type based on the detection level of the millimeter reflection wave.

A vehicle-interior monitoring apparatus for a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave sensor, a determiner, and a movement sensor. The millimeter-wave sensor outputs a millimeter radio wave toward a vehicle cabin of the vehicle and detects a millimeter reflection wave from an in-vehicle object including either one of an occupant and baggage in the vehicle cabin. The determiner determines a type of the in-vehicle object based on a detection level of the detected millimeter reflection wave. The movement sensor detects movement of the vehicle. The determiner re-determines that a determined in-vehicle object is either one of the baggage and a child as the occupant based on a positional change of the determined in-vehicle object upon the movement sensor detecting the movement of the vehicle, the determined in-vehicle object being the in-vehicle object of which the determiner has determined the type based on the detection level of the millimeter reflection wave.

A system for maneuvering a vehicle has a detection system, a prediction system, and a vehicle control system. The detection system is configured to detect a nearby vehicle adjacent to the vehicle. The prediction system is configured to calculate a predicted trajectory of the nearby vehicle upon receiving a detection result from the detection system. The vehicle control system is configured to maneuver the vehicle based on the predicted trajectory upon receiving a control signal from the prediction system. The vehicle control system maneuvers the vehicle to keep a specified distance away from the nearby vehicle. A method for maneuvering a vehicle includes detecting a nearby vehicle adjacent to the vehicle, calculating a predicted trajectory of the nearby vehicle, and maneuvering the vehicle based on the predicted trajectory to keep a specified distance away from the nearby vehicle.

A passenger presence detection system may include radar detectors arranged in spaced relation and directed toward a plurality of rows of passenger seats in a bus. Each radar detector may include a radar transmitter(s), radar receiver(s), and a radar processor cooperating with the radar transmitter(s) and radar receiver(s) to determine passenger presence data based upon a first movement threshold having a first determination time and a second movement threshold having a second determination time. The first movement threshold may be smaller than the second movement threshold and being capable of detecting movement less than 5 millimeters (for example) which is indicative of at least one of passenger respiration and passenger heartbeat, and the first determination time may be larger than the second determination time. The system may further include a controller configured to generate a passenger presence indication based upon the passenger presence data.

A passenger presence detection system may include radar detectors arranged in spaced relation and directed toward a plurality of rows of passenger seats in a bus. Each radar detector may include a radar transmitter(s), radar receiver(s), and a radar processor cooperating with the radar transmitter(s) and radar receiver(s) to determine passenger presence data based upon a first movement threshold having a first determination time and a second movement threshold having a second determination time. The first movement threshold may be smaller than the second movement threshold and being capable of detecting movement less than 5 millimeters (for example) which is indicative of at least one of passenger respiration and passenger heartbeat, and the first determination time may be larger than the second determination time. The system may further include a controller configured to generate a passenger presence indication based upon the passenger presence data.

Methods of determining relevance of objects that a vehicle's perception system detects are disclosed. A system on or in communication with the vehicle will identify a time horizon, and a look-ahead lane based on a lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling. The system defines a region of interest (ROI) that includes one or more lane segments within the look-ahead lane. The system identifies a first subset that includes objects located within the ROI, but not objects not located within the ROI. The system identifies a second subset that includes objects located within the ROI that may interact with the vehicle during the time horizon, but not excludes actors that may not interact with the vehicle during the time horizon. The system classifies any object that is in the first subset, the second subset or both subsets as a priority relevant object.

A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.