A backdoor opening and closing apparatus includes an operation input detection portion detecting an operation input for operating a backdoor in response to a detection signal sent from a sensor configured to include a detection area at a lateral rear portion of a vehicle, an operation control portion operating the backdoor in response to the operation input, a passenger determination portion determining whether an authorized passenger is positioned within a common area where a lateral portion determination area and a rear portion determination area overlap with each other, and an allowance determination portion allowing a predetermined operation of the backdoor in response to the operation input in a case where the passenger determination portion determines that the authorized passenger is positioned within the common area (x).

A vehicle function control system includes a sensing and projecting module disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle and having an illumination source operable to project a plurality of icons onto a ground area at or near the vehicle or an exterior surface of the vehicle, with each of the projected icons being representative of a respective vehicle function. The module includes a sensing device operable to sense the presence of a user at or near one of the projected icons and, responsive to the sensing of the presence of the user, the system determines which of the projected icons is being selected by the user. A control is responsive to an output of the sensing device and, responsive to determination of the user at or near a selected particular projected icon, the control controls a function of the vehicle associated with the selected particular projected icon.

A system, an apparatus or a process may be configured to implement an application that applies artificial intelligence and/or machine-learning techniques to predict an optimal course of action (or a subset of courses of action) for an autonomous vehicle system (e.g., one or more of a planner of an autonomous vehicle, a simulator, or a teleoperator) to undertake based on suboptimal autonomous vehicle performance and/or changes in detected sensor data (e.g., new buildings, landmarks, potholes, etc.). The application may determine a subset of trajectories based on a number of decisions and interactions when resolving an anomaly due to an event or condition. The application may use aggregated sensor data from multiple autonomous vehicles to assist in identifying events or conditions that might affect travel (e.g., using semantic scene classification). An optimal subset of trajectories may be formed based on recommendations responsive to semantic changes (e.g., road construction).

An assistance method for a light control system in a motor vehicle, having a light controller for controlling a lighting unit in the motor vehicle for lighting a motor vehicle environment, a portable unit, at least one communication interface, and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the portable unit received via the communication interface. The lighting unit being controllable by the light controller and in accordance with the evaluation of the signals received from the portable unit in a first assistance function, such that at least one light beam emitted by the lighting unit can be positioned as a function of the position of the portable unit. The lighting unit is controlled via the light controller, such that when the first assistance function is switched on, the light beam emitted by the lighting unit automatically tracks the portable unit in accordance with the motion trajectory of the portable unit.

An assistance method for a light control system in a motor vehicle, having a light controller for controlling a lighting unit in the motor vehicle for lighting a motor vehicle environment, a portable unit, at least one communication interface, and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the portable unit received via the communication interface. The lighting unit being controllable by the light controller and based on evaluation of the signals received from the portable unit, such that at least one light beam emitted by the lighting unit can be positioned in accordance with signals from the portable unit. A first assistance function manually or automatically switches on, the lighting unit is controlled such that when the first assistance function is switched on, the light beam moves automatically as a function of the portable unit being actuated at a time that follows the switching on of the first assistance function.

An illumination system for a vehicle running board comprises at least one lighting module in connection with a step portion of the running board. The lighting module extends longitudinally along the running board proximate to at least one door of the vehicle. The lighting module comprises a first light source disposed in a first end portion of the lighting module and a second light source disposed in a second end portion of the lighting module. A waveguide forms an emission surface extending longitudinally along a side portion of the step portion. A controller is configured to activate the first light source illuminating the side portion in a first color and activate the second light source to illuminate the side portion in a second color.

A method and apparatus provide a light source that is fixed to a vehicle mount structure to direct light toward ground level. A lens covers the light source and includes an outer surface with a sawtooth profile.

A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion pivotally mounted at the handle region of the vehicle door. The handle portion is disposed at a pocket region of the handle region. A pocket lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode operable to emit light to illuminate the pocket region. The pocket lighting module is operable to emit different colors of light responsive to different triggers.

A method of illuminating a vehicle rack includes detecting a crash status of a vehicle; detecting an occupancy status of the vehicle; illuminating a light source positioned within a groove of the vehicle rack in a first illumination state; and altering the illumination of the light source to a second illumination state based on a change in the occupancy status of the vehicle.

An opening and closing system includes a first human detection sensor configured to detect a vehicle user who enters a first area defined on a periphery of a vehicle body, a lamp visible by the vehicle user who enters the first area, and a control device configured to control an unlocking operation of the lock device, a closing operation of the striker device, a pop-up operation of the striker device, and switching on and off of the lamp. The control device switches on the lamp when the vehicle user is detected by the first human detection sensor and starts the controlling of the unlocking operation of the lock device and the closing operation and the pop-up operation of the striker device in response to the lamp being switched on.