Disclosed are a system and a process for controlling the exterior lighting of an autonomous vehicle using autonomous modes of operation detected. In some modes, certain forms of exterior lighting normally required in manual operation are not necessary when the vehicle is in particular modes. Because of this, a control system is configured to dim or deactivate the headlights when one autonomous vehicle is following another autonomous vehicle. Similarly, taillights can be dimmed or turned off where an autonomous vehicle is leading another autonomous vehicle. This, in one respect, serves to conserve energy.

A vehicle display device mounted on a vehicle and configured to display an image to an outside of the vehicle includes: a self-luminous display unit configured to display an image to the outside of the vehicle by emitting light emitted from a light source to the outside of the vehicle; a reflective display unit configured to display an image to the outside of the vehicle by reflecting light from the outside of the vehicle; an information acquisition unit configured to acquire environment information indicating an environment outside the vehicle; and a controller configured to switch between image display by the self-luminous display unit and image display by the reflective display unit based on the acquired environment information

A cargo carrier includes a housing defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. A light assembly is positioned along the exterior surface. A grate is positioned within the housing. A luminescent structure is positioned on the grate. A light source is positioned on the interior surface and configured to emit light onto the luminescent structure.

An imaging connection device is provided for use with a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle includes a hitch assembly, a wired vehicle interface, and a vehicle communications unit, and the trailer includes a tow assembly and a wire harness. The imaging connection device includes a housing defining a first connector configured to mate with the wired vehicle interface and a second connector configured to mate with the wire harness; a connector interface at least partially arranged within the housing and extending between the first connector and the second connector; a camera unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to capture image data representing a side view of the hitch assembly; and a wireless communications unit at least partially arranged within the housing and configured to transmit the image data captured by the camera unit to the vehicle communications unit for display on a display device.

A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a narrowband lighting element such as can be provided by a narrowband light source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.

A vehicle includes an object detection sensor configured to output an output signal, a notification device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to detect an object based on the output signal of the object detection sensor, classify the detected object into a classification, determine a notification magnitude level based on the classification of the detected object, and output a notification with the notification device at the determined notification magnitude level.

Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example, a wheel unit system can receive vehicle data including information associated with states of a vehicle. Further, the vehicle can include wheel wells associated with wheel units that are configured to generate indications associated with the states of the vehicle. The wheel unit system can also determine indications to generate on the wheel units based at least in part on the vehicle data. Furthermore, the wheel unit system can generate the indications on the wheel units. The indications can, for example, include visual indications or auditory indications.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, devices, and the like, for controlling the projection of an array of lights or an image from a headlight of a vehicle in response to information provided by one or more sensors or user inputs. The projection may be utilized to highlight an object in or near the path of travel of a vehicle. In another example, the headlight may be controlled to adjust the contrast across the field of view of the headlight. In addition, the system may project one or more images onto an object or surface either in the path of the vehicle or within the field of view of the headlight, projecting a next step in a series of navigation instructions onto the road, and/or projecting an indication of a movement of the vehicle to warn people around the vehicle of the movement of the vehicle. One or more visual effects may also be incorporated into the system to enhance the visibility of objects.

A wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade carried on the wiper arm and a light source provided between the wiper arm and the raised wiper blade. The wiper assembly may also include a heating element and a controller to control operation of the light source and the heating element.

An illuminated badge system is provided for a motor vehicle. The illuminated badge system includes an illuminated badge and a controller. The controller is configured to adjust a parameter of the light emitted from the illuminated badge in response to a designated operating parameter such as the headlight status of the motor vehicle.