One variation of a method for renting a vehicle includes: receiving a signal from a fleet manager, the signal specifying a current availability of the vehicle for rent; updating a visual indicator arranged on the vehicle according to the signal, the visual indicator visually detectable from outside the vehicle; receiving identification information of a user proximal the vehicle; enabling access to the vehicle for the user in response to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle; determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle, that the user is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle; and enabling ignition of the vehicle for the user in response to determination that the user is seated in the driver's seat.

An in-vehicle terminal includes: a measurement unit that measures electric field strengths of radio waves for wireless communication emitted from information terminals located in a vicinity thereof; a main terminal identifying unit that identifies a predetermined main terminal among the information terminals; and a communication unit that establishes wireless communication with the identified main terminal and transmits a first electric field strength for another information terminal than the main terminal measured by the measurement unit, via the wireless communication to the main terminal.

Systems, devices, and techniques are provided for occupancy assessment of a vehicle. For one or more occupants of the vehicle, the occupancy assessment establishes position and/or identity for some or all of the occupant(s).

Systems and methods are disclosed for supporting and executing automated control of adjustable components of a vehicle based on occupant classification in a group identity database. Methods and systems for generating and employing the group identity database are also disclosed. Occupancy information may be utilized to determine how the group identity database is employed.

A seat automatic arrangement method and apparatus of an autonomous driving vehicle is provided. The seat automatic arrangement method and apparatus have an advantage that it is possible to automatically arrange seats in the vehicle into the seat-facing mode through remote control, and it is possible to prevent interference when moving the seats by arranging the seats in accordance with priority when arranging the seats into the seat-facing mode, thereby being able to more smoothly arrange the seats into the seat-facing mode in an autonomous driving vehicle.

An example embodiment of a system and methods for detecting and reporting whether passengers are seated and secured in their seats within a vehicle may include a passenger sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a presence of a passenger in a seat in a vehicle, a restraint sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a status of a passenger safety restraint associated with the seat, a transmitter configured to be in electronic communication with the passenger sensor and the restraint sensor and to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the presence of a passenger in the seat and the status of the restrain, and a reporting module configured to be disposed proximate a driver of the vehicle. The reporting module may be configured to receive the data from the transmitter, and output a respective status for each of a plurality of seats.

A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle equipped with the system and viewing at least a portion of a driver of the vehicle. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) including electronic circuitry and associated software. Frames of image data captured by the camera are transferred to and are processed at the ECU. The system, responsive to processing at the ECU of frames of image data captured by the camera and transferred to the ECU, determines location of the head of the driver. The system determines a configuration for a driver's seat of the vehicle based at least in part on the determined location of the head of the driver. The system adjusts the driver's seat of the vehicle using the determined configuration for the driver's seat.

In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

An ISS is a seating system that actively adjusts to improve an occupant's comfort, performance, and safety in a specific driving environment. The ISS determines the occupant's posture, position on the seat surface, and/or physiological state, for example, by applying a machine vision process. The ISS can further determine a driving environment. The ISS adjusts its settings and settings of the vehicle according to one or more factors such as an occupant's posture, the occupant's physiological state, the occupant's preferences, and/or the driving environment. The ISS can include a state machine that determines a current state and determines if a change has occurred such that the system should shift to another state that best suits this change. The ISS makes adjustment according to system settings associated with the best suitable state.

A plurality of seats are arranged in a vehicle. A communication apparatus is mounted in the vehicle and communicates wirelessly with a mobile terminal. The communication apparatus estimates the position of the mobile terminal inside the vehicle based on information obtained through communication with the mobile terminal, and specifies the seat closest to the estimated position among the plurality of seats. The communication apparatus acquires adjustment data needed for adjusting the specified seat from the mobile terminal.