The systems and methods may transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of operation of the vehicle. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from the array of speakers. The systems and methods may further receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device; and determine, based upon receiving the locationing pulse, that the vehicle was in service of a TNC company, or otherwise operating as a TNC vehicle, during the period of operation based upon passengers entering and leaving the vehicle during the period of operation. Insurance covering the operation of the vehicle for TNC use may be verified, and/or alternatively, offered to facilitate insuring TNC vehicle operation.

Seat belts, seat belt assemblies, seat belt systems, and methods for incorporating the seat belts, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly systems are disclosed, with the seat belt including a seat belt locking mechanism sensor that, in tandem with a seat belt thermal sensor provides confirmatory information as to a definitive locking condition or locking state of a seat belt.

An off-road vehicle speed control assembly that includes a speed control device, a speed sensor, tire pressure sensors and an electronic controller. The speed control device controls speed of a vehicle power plant. The electronic controller is in electronic communication with the speed control device, the speed sensor and the plurality of tire pressure sensors and is configured to operate the speed control device in at least two different modes of operation: a normal mode in which the plurality of tires are inflated to a high-speed tire pressure; and, a first off-road mode in which the plurality of tires are inflated to a first off-road tire pressure that is less than the high-speed tire pressure. In the normal mode, speeds of the vehicle are unrestricted by the electronic controller. In the first off-road mode, speed of the vehicle is restricted.

An off-road vehicle speed control assembly that includes a speed control device, a speed sensor, tire pressure sensors and an electronic controller. The speed control device controls speed of a vehicle power plant. The electronic controller is in electronic communication with the speed control device, the speed sensor and the plurality of tire pressure sensors and is configured to operate the speed control device in at least two different modes of operation: a normal mode in which the plurality of tires are inflated to a high-speed tire pressure; and, a first off-road mode in which the plurality of tires are inflated to a first off-road tire pressure that is less than the high-speed tire pressure. In the normal mode, speeds of the vehicle are unrestricted by the electronic controller. In the first off-road mode, speed of the vehicle is restricted.

A range maximization system for a vehicle accounting for external factors may include a tire pressure sensor and a load carry sensor configured to detect information relevant to a load on the vehicle. A vehicle control unit may be configured to receive detected information from the tire pressure and load carry sensor, and configured to determine a) an expected range for the vehicle with the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure, b) a contribution of the detected information relevant to the load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range, and c) braking parameters, chassis parameters, and engine parameters that maximize vehicle range based on the load and tire pressure. The system may also include a display configured to display the contribution of the detected load and the detected tire pressure to the vehicle range.

A method for automatic adjustment of the performance of a vehicle including the steps of detecting at least one significant physical quantity for checking the performance of the vehicle; defining at least one pair of reference indicators correlated with that physical quantity; saving at least one value of a said reference indicator in a predetermined nominal reference condition; detecting at least one value of a said reference indicator in a real operating condition of the vehicle; comparing said nominal reference indicator and real reference indicator and, if their values are different from each other, and implementing a correction of the driving power of the vehicle to compensate for the difference ascertained.

A method for automatic adjustment of the performance of a vehicle including the steps of detecting at least one significant physical quantity for checking the performance of the vehicle; defining at least one pair of reference indicators correlated with that physical quantity; saving at least one value of a said reference indicator in a predetermined nominal reference condition; detecting at least one value of a said reference indicator in a real operating condition of the vehicle; comparing said nominal reference indicator and real reference indicator and, if their values are different from each other, and implementing a correction of the driving power of the vehicle to compensate for the difference ascertained.

Systems and methods may transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of vehicle operation. The mobile device may be associated with a vehicle driver. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from the array of speakers. The systems and methods may receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device, and generate or update a vehicle occupancy profile based upon the receiving operation. The vehicle occupancy profile may include occupancy data of one or more seats inside the vehicle. A vehicle risk profile may be determined based upon the vehicle occupancy profile, and a risk message transmitted if the vehicle risk profile satisfies a high risk condition.

A method and apparatus for a method that includes providing at least one sensor mounted to a structure on a vehicle. The at least one sensor is located at a sensor height relative to ground level. A first object is located on the vehicle at a fixed distance from the at least one sensor and at a variable distance from ground level. The variable distance estimated as a function of a vehicle load. The sensor height adjusted based on the variable distance to account for any changes in the vehicle load. A second object is spaced at a vertical distance from ground level. An adjusted sensor height used for comparison to the vertical distance of the second object from ground level.

Described herein are various systems and processes for predictive operating assistance of vehicles. The systems and techniques described herein may be applicable to vehicles such as vehicles operated by a driver, semi-autonomous vehicles, and/or autonomous vehicles. The assistance techniques described herein may be predictive. That is, the techniques allow for the prediction of non-optimal or dangerous operating conditions before the vehicle control is compromised. Accordingly, a warning may be provided and/or operation of the vehicle may be changed based on the predictive assistance determinations. In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein may provide warnings to a driver, may detect faults within the vehicle, may aid in route planning, may detect obstacles proximate to the vehicle, and/or may aid in the operation of the vehicle.