An automotive animated image projector comprises a light source emitting a light beam, a microelectromechanical system projector aligned to receive the light beam and project an animated image onto a target surface, a computer system programmed to control the light source and the microelectromechanical system with commands to produce the animated image, and a transmission link for sending the commands from the computer system to the light source and the microelectromechanical system projector. In some embodiments, the target surface is the ground next to a vehicle and the animated image illuminates the ground to assist entry into, and exit from, the vehicle. A method is also provided of projecting an animated image from an automotive animated image projector. The method comprises generating a light beam, directing the light beam onto a microelectromechanical system projector, manipulating the light beam by dynamically controlling the microelectromechanical system projector to generate animated images that are projected onto a target surface.

A vehicle state presentation system includes a terminal device including an ear mounting unit that is mounted on an ear of a user, and a vehicle. The vehicle includes a first communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the terminal device, and a first controller that causes the first communication unit to transmit a notification signal indicating that the vehicle detects a state of the vehicle other than a predetermined state to the terminal device, and the terminal device includes a second communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the vehicle, and a second controller that causes an output unit to perform a notification to the user based on the notification signal received by the second communication unit when the terminal device moves out of a predetermined distance range in which the vehicle is included.

A notification system of a vehicle includes a sensing unit that detects an object outside the vehicle or detects an operational status of a function of the vehicle; an output unit; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a touch has been detected on an interior handle of a door of the vehicle. If a touch is detected on the interior handle, the controller determines that an object outside the vehicle detected by the sensor is within a predetermined distance in a rearward direction from the door on which the touch was detected, or determines that an operational status of a function of the vehicle detected by the sensor indicates that the function is not yet complete; and controls the output unit to output a notification corresponding to the detected object outside the vehicle or the detected operational status of the function of the vehicle.

An AV receives a delivery request made by a user. The AV navigates to the user's location. The AV's onboard controller determines that the AV has arrived at the location. The onboard controller then commands the AV's motor to pause motion. The onboard controller provides the user an access to a delivery assembly in the AV. The onboard controller or the delivery assembly detects, by using sensors in the delivery assembly, whether an item has been removed from or placed into the container. Subsequent to detecting that the item has been removed from or placed into the container, the onboard controller commands the AV's motor to resume motion. The onboard controller or delivery assembly may also control a movable element in the container to allow the user to load or unload the item from a safe spot or control a divider in the container to protect the user's privacy.

A vehicle including a plurality of displays disposed at different positions inside the vehicle, each display including a touch screen and a cover layer on a top surface of the touch screen, the cover layer of a corresponding display having a color characteristic based on an interior part of the vehicle having the display such that when the corresponding display is off, the corresponding display appears hidden; a sensor configured to detect a seat location of a person seated in the vehicle; and a controller configured to selectively control the plurality of the displays based on the detect seat location of the person seated in the vehicle.

An indoor illumination lamp as a map lamp includes a housing to be attached to an interior ceiling of a vehicle and provided with an opening, a switch knob arranged at the opening of the housing and including a light-transmitting logo part, and a three-color light emitting diode arranged in the housing and capable of emitting light toward the logo part.

The invention relates to a vehicle having a detection device for detecting a property of a vehicle occupant and an operator control and display device which is coupled to the detection device, has a display region and is configured to display information in the display region and by means of which a symbol can be displayed in the display region as a function of the sensed property. It is provided here that the property which is detected by means of the detection device is a position of the vehicle occupant, and the operator control and display device is configured to display the symbol in a partial region of the display region which is determined as a function of the detected position, and to assign the symbol to the vehicle occupant in such a way that when there is a change in position of the vehicle occupant that the symbol follows the vehicle occupant. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a vehicle. The invention makes particularly flexible use of the vehicle possible.

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.

An embodiment method, performed by a device, for guiding an item arrangement in a vehicle includes acquiring first information on an item, determining a loading space in which the item is to be loaded and an arrangement location at which the item is to be placed in the loading space based on the first information and second information on an interior space of the vehicle, and generating arrangement guide information based on the loading space and the arrangement location.

An AV receives a delivery request made by a user. The AV navigates to the user's location. The AV's onboard controller determines that the AV has arrived at the location. The onboard controller then commands the AV's motor to pause motion. The onboard controller provides the user an access to a delivery assembly in the AV. The onboard controller or the delivery assembly detects, by using sensors in the delivery assembly, whether an item has been removed from or placed into the container. Subsequent to detecting that the item has been removed from or placed into the container, the onboard controller commands the AV's motor to resume motion. The onboard controller or delivery assembly may also control a movable element in the container to allow the user to load or unload the item from a safe spot or control a divider in the container to protect the user's privacy.