An improved method and apparatus for powering an electric motor for starting an internal combustion engine in which the electric motor is in a 6 volt to 48 volt operating system, in which an auxiliary battery pack has a battery pack housing; at least one lithium-based rechargeable cell within the housing; associated means for receiving a radio transmitted signal; associated means for turning the rechargeable cell ON or OFF; and battery connections for connecting the auxiliary battery pack to a battery in a 6 volt to 48 volt operating system.

A control system for a machine includes a machine, a plurality of proximity sensors coupled to the machine, and a controller in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors. The controller is configured to activate and monitor proximity information from the proximity sensors during a containerization mode and indicate an alert if the proximity information is below a threshold distance.

Described herein are systems, methods, and computer readable media for capturing image data of one or more regions of a vehicle (e.g., a cargo area of an autonomous vehicle) at various particular times and assessing the image data to determine whether a past vehicle occupant has left behind one or more belongings of value in the vehicle. If it is determined that a former vehicle occupant has left behind an article of value, an audible message may be outputted from a speaker of the vehicle to inform the former occupant of the presence of the article in the vehicle or a notification may be sent to a mobile device of the former occupant. The audible message may be outputted, for example, while the former occupant is beyond a predetermined distance from the vehicle, but still within range of hearing the message.

Methods and systems for identifying whether a vehicle is capable of safely traversing a road segment. The system includes a transceiver of the vehicle configured to receive vehicle capability data indicating vehicle specifications associated with the road segment, the vehicle specifications associated with a vehicle capable of traversing the road segment. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle configured to compare vehicle data including features of the vehicle with the vehicle capability data to determine whether the vehicle data meets or exceeds the vehicle specifications. The system includes an input/output device configured to provide a notification that the vehicle is not capable of traversing the road segment when the vehicle data does not meet or exceed the vehicle specifications associated with the road segment.

A system for using artificial intelligence to present geographically relevant user-specific recommendations based on vehicle operator attentiveness includes at least a transport communication device installed in a vehicle, at least a driving condition sensor designed and configured to monitor driving conditions and generate at least a driving condition datum, at least an operator sensor, designed and configured to monitor a vehicle operator and generate at least an operator state datum, an attention state module, designed and configured to generate an attentiveness level as a function of the at least a driving condition datum and the at least an operator state datum, a location interface component, designed and configured to determine geographical location, and a recommender module, designed and configured to receive at least a local attraction datum, generate an associated output message as a function of the attentiveness level and geographical location, and provide the output message to the operator.

A system for using artificial intelligence to present geographically relevant user-specific recommendations based on vehicle operator attentiveness includes at least a transport communication device installed in a vehicle, at least a driving condition sensor designed and configured to monitor driving conditions and generate at least a driving condition datum, at least an operator sensor, designed and configured to monitor a vehicle operator and generate at least an operator state datum, an attention state module, designed and configured to generate an attentiveness level as a function of the at least a driving condition datum and the at least an operator state datum, a location interface component, designed and configured to determine geographical location, and a recommender module, designed and configured to receive at least a local attraction datum, generate an associated output message as a function of the attentiveness level and geographical location, and provide the output message to the operator.

A method of steering steerable wheels of a vehicle includes determining a first angle of a first portion of a steering column. A second angle of a second portion of the steering column is determined. The first and second angles are compared to determine a difference between the first and second angles. The vehicle is steered autonomously if the difference between the first and second angles is above a predetermined amount and a time that the difference between the first and second angles is above the predetermined amount is greater than a predetermined amount of time.

A method of steering steerable wheels of a vehicle includes determining a first angle of a first portion of a steering column. A second angle of a second portion of the steering column is determined. The first and second angles are compared to determine a difference between the first and second angles. The vehicle is steered autonomously if the difference between the first and second angles is above a predetermined amount and a time that the difference between the first and second angles is above the predetermined amount is greater than a predetermined amount of time.

The present invention pertains to a drive connection for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine and which provides a fluid-tight sealing. Accordingly, a drive connection for coupling an engine to a gearbox of a machine is suggested, which comprises a housing having an inner cavity that extends from a first open end of the housing to a second open end of the housing and which is configured for accommodating and enclosing a clutch. The housing defines a first coupling interface at the first open end for coupling the drive connection to an engine and a second coupling interface at the second open end for coupling the drive connection to a gearbox, Furthermore, each coupling interface comprises a sealing member, wherein the housing and sealing members are configured to fluidically seal the inner cavity, when the drive connection is in a coupled state.

A method and a device for controlling door movements of a controllable door of a motor vehicle. A control device and a sensor arrangement are assigned to the door and the door has a controllable motion influencing device. A motion of a door wing of the door is controlled and influenced by the motion influencing device to alternate between a closed position and an open position. The motion influencing device includes a driving device with a drive motor. The sensor arrangement includes a current sensor which detects the motor current of the drive motor. While closing the door wing the control device detects an obstacle when the door wing is not yet closed and the power input of the drive motor rises above a predetermined threshold. Then the control device stops the drive motor.