A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.

A grille assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle grille having an opening with at least a pair of opposed edges, and at least one tab extending along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges. The at least one tab has a base portion, an end portion, and two opposed faces extending between the base portion and end portion. The at least one tab is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces of the tab decreases in a direction extending from the base portion toward the end portion.

An illuminated communication unit for a vehicle is provided. The communication unit may include an enclosure carrying components within a cavity that include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a heat sink. The PCBA may include a position sensor in communication with the vehicle and configured to detect a position of the vehicle, and a plurality of light emitting elements disposed adjacent to the position sensor and configured to generate a light output. The heat sink may be configured to dissipate heat caused by the plurality of light emitting elements generating the light output. The communication unit may include a diffuser lens that includes a lens surface having an emblem disposed thereon, the diffuser lens being configured to receive the light output generated by the plurality of light emitting elements and diffusely illuminate the emblem. The lens surface may be configured to widely disperse the light output.

An illuminated communication unit for a vehicle is provided. The communication unit may include an enclosure carrying components within a cavity that include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a heat sink. The PCBA may include a position sensor in communication with the vehicle and configured to detect a position of the vehicle, and a plurality of light emitting elements disposed adjacent to the position sensor and configured to generate a light output. The heat sink may be configured to dissipate heat caused by the plurality of light emitting elements generating the light output. The communication unit may include a diffuser lens that includes a lens surface having an emblem disposed thereon, the diffuser lens being configured to receive the light output generated by the plurality of light emitting elements and diffusely illuminate the emblem. The lens surface may be configured to widely disperse the light output.

In a motor vehicle, an elongated contour of a decorative part or trim part which is visible from outside the vehicle is illuminated in the external region. Such a contour may be, for example, a bead of a decorative part or trim part which, for example, is particularly striking or forms part of a vehicle manufacturer's typical design language. In darkness, the contour, which would otherwise no longer be discernible, is then readily visible due to the illumination. This increases the significance of the visual appearance of the vehicle in darkness.

In a motor vehicle, an elongated contour of a decorative part or trim part which is visible from outside the vehicle is illuminated in the external region. Such a contour may be, for example, a bead of a decorative part or trim part which, for example, is particularly striking or forms part of a vehicle manufacturer's typical design language. In darkness, the contour, which would otherwise no longer be discernible, is then readily visible due to the illumination. This increases the significance of the visual appearance of the vehicle in darkness.

In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for autonomous vehicle control includes determining whether a cargo container is attached to the vehicle base. The method includes controlling a front shield associated with an autonomous vehicle to move from a closed position to an opened position when a cargo container is determined to be attached to a vehicle base associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes controlling the front shield to move from the opened position to the closed position when the cargo container is not attached to the vehicle base.

In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for autonomous vehicle control includes determining whether a cargo container is attached to the vehicle base. The method includes controlling a front shield associated with an autonomous vehicle to move from a closed position to an opened position when a cargo container is determined to be attached to a vehicle base associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes controlling the front shield to move from the opened position to the closed position when the cargo container is not attached to the vehicle base.

A device for protecting a motor vehicle radar is provided. The device includes a body formed from a material that is transparent to radar waves and visible light, a support that is opaque to light and transparent to radar waves, and a light element arranged between the support and the body, an air cavity being provided between the support and the body, the support and the body being assembled together at their edges, characterized in that the thickness of the cavity is between ½ the radar wavelength and 12 times the radar wavelength.

A device for protecting a motor vehicle radar is provided. The device includes a body formed from a material that is transparent to radar waves and visible light, a support that is opaque to light and transparent to radar waves, and a light element arranged between the support and the body, an air cavity being provided between the support and the body, the support and the body being assembled together at their edges, characterized in that the thickness of the cavity is between ½ the radar wavelength and 12 times the radar wavelength.