This disclosure details vehicle puddle lamp assemblies and methods for illuminating the puddle lamp assemblies in a manner that provides a visual indication of a vehicle interior temperature. An exemplary vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a control module configured to control the puddle lamp assembly to selectively project an illuminated pattern onto a ground surface adjacent to the puddle lamp assembly. The illuminated pattern provides the visual indication of the vehicle interior temperature.

A motor vehicle has a surroundings lighting device, where the surroundings lighting device includes a first projection module arranged adjacent to a pivotable vehicle door of the motor vehicle in an immobile vehicle bodywork component, where when the first projection module is switched on, the first projection module projects a light distribution onto the ground adjacent to the immobile vehicle bodywork component. A second projection module is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, where when the second projection module is switched on, the second projection module projects a pictogram onto the ground. The surroundings lighting device is configured to, when an event which is triggered by a user in the surroundings of the motor vehicle is detected, switch on the first projection module and at the same time, or after a delay, switch on the second projection module such that the pictogram is projected onto the light distribution.

An illuminating vehicle assembly includes a plastic grille component and a badge mounted to the plastic grille component. The badge houses at least one light source. The light source may be illuminated to create various lighting effects. Any heat generated by the at least one light source can be dissipated into the plastic grille component.

A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.

Methods are provided for managing a passenger's interaction with an autonomous vehicle. The method identifies a passenger approaching an autonomous vehicle and activates a recognition signal that indicates pairing the passenger with the vehicle. As the passenger approaches, and entry point for the vehicle is identified. A recognition signal for the entry point is activated and the passenger is notified. As the exit point for the bride approaches, it is identified by the vehicle and in exit indicator is activated for the passenger. Any exit obstacles are identified by the vehicle and the passenger is notified. And exit indicator is activated for the passenger to provide notification of a safe to exit status from the autonomous vehicle.

The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps of: projection of at least one light spot (102) with which an authorized user (U) has to interact, determining if there is an intention to open the panel (100), and if soauthorizing the opening of the panel (100). The step of determining if there is an intention to open the panel (100) comprises: acquiring a measurement signal of a movement performed by the user (U), filtering the signal, identifying if the movement performed by the user (U) is in a predefined correct order with at least the following steps: moving the user's part towards the light spot (102), keeping it in the light spot (102) and moving it outside the light spot (102), and determining if the movement performed by the user (U) meets a predefined specific time condition.

A composite pane is presented. The composite pane includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are bonded to each other via an intermediate layer. The composite pane further includes a light-diffusing glass fiber that is suitable for emitting light by diffusion via its side wall along its extension length. According to one aspect, the glass fiber is arranged, in sections, between the intermediate layer and the outer pane. According to another aspect, the glass fiber is arranged, in sections, between the intermediate layer and the inner pane.

A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element that includes front and rear substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate that conceals the perimeter seal from view by a driver of a vehicle. No part of the rear substrate extends beyond any part of the front substrate. At least a portion of the mirror reflector disposed at at least a portion of the third surface of the rear substrate extends from under the perimeter seal outward towards at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The mirror reflector includes a stack of thin films that includes at least a first metal thin film and a second metal thin film.

A vehicle display assembly may comprise a transparent element defining a viewing surface, a display element disposed behind the transparent element, and a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the display element. The display element is configured to generate an image visible through the transparent element. The vehicle display assembly may be in communication with at least one of a vehicle sensor and a vehicle computer. The images appearing in the display element may change orientation based on the presence or absence of a vehicle occupant.

A vehicle includes a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions. The running board includes a light source. An energy storage device is electrically coupled to the light source. An inductive receiving coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. A transmitting coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.