A method of starting a vehicle may include, in response to an expected driver entry, stroking a clutch configured to couple an engine to an electric machine for a predetermined time period. The method may further include, in response to an engine start request received during the predetermined time period, providing power to the electric machine to spin the electric machine at a speed at least equal to a target engine cranking speed.

A method of starting a vehicle may include, in response to an expected driver entry, stroking a clutch configured to couple an engine to an electric machine for a predetermined time period. The method may further include, in response to an engine start request received during the predetermined time period, providing power to the electric machine to spin the electric machine at a speed at least equal to a target engine cranking speed.

A drop-off assist device includes: a processor configured to determine that there is a possibility that a target approaching object passes by a door of a host vehicle when a second object is not present between the target approaching object and the host vehicle, correct the predicted movement path based on a position of an edge of the second object when the second object is present between the target approaching object and the host vehicle at a timing of setting the target approaching object, determine that there is the possibility that the target approaching object passes by the door of the host vehicle when the corrected predicted movement path is the path that passes by the door of the host vehicle, and issue an alarm when determining that there is the possibility that the target approaching object passes by the door of the host vehicle.

An audio and visual fuel door alarm for a vehicle fuel door comprises a sensor that is operationally coupled to the fuel door of a vehicle. A relay is operationally coupled to the sensor. A speaker and a light are operationally coupled to the relay. The sensor is configured to be activated upon opening of the fuel door of the vehicle. The relay is positioned to activate the speaker and the light should the ignition switch of the vehicle be engaged. The driver is provided an audio warning from the speaker and a visual warning from the light if the fuel door of the vehicle is in an open position when the vehicle is running.

An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

The disclosure relates to a method performed by a within-vehicle-confirming system on-board a vehicle for establishing that a key device is within an interior of the vehicle. The system determines that there is a secure communication link between the vehicle and the key device. The system further provides a vehicle sound signal within the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, the system receives from the key device a key device signal via the secure communication link, which key device signal is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors associated with the key device. The system further compares the vehicle sound signal with the key device signal, and enables a start of the vehicle when the key device signal matches the vehicle sound signal. The disclosure also relates to a within-vehicle-confirming system in accordance with the foregoing, and to a vehicle at least partly comprising such a system.

The disclosure relates to a method performed by a within-vehicle-confirming system on-board a vehicle for establishing that a key device is within an interior of the vehicle. The system determines that there is a secure communication link between the vehicle and the key device. The system further provides a vehicle sound signal within the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, the system receives from the key device a key device signal via the secure communication link, which key device signal is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors associated with the key device. The system further compares the vehicle sound signal with the key device signal, and enables a start of the vehicle when the key device signal matches the vehicle sound signal. The disclosure also relates to a within-vehicle-confirming system in accordance with the foregoing, and to a vehicle at least partly comprising such a system.

A control device includes a communication unit configured to acquire control information on a vehicle from an information processing device in a wired or wireless communication, and a processing unit configured to execute a process of starting vehicle control based on the control information. The processing unit continues or suspends the process of starting vehicle control depending on a result of an authentication process on usage authority of the control information, and the authentication process is executed while the process of starting vehicle control is executed.

A control device includes a communication unit configured to acquire control information on a vehicle from an information processing device in a wired or wireless communication, and a processing unit configured to execute a process of starting vehicle control based on the control information. The processing unit continues or suspends the process of starting vehicle control depending on a result of an authentication process on usage authority of the control information, and the authentication process is executed while the process of starting vehicle control is executed.