An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames comprising at least one of a vehicle or an outdoor environment near the vehicle and a correction signal. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects, predict a state of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames and generate the correction signal. The correction signal may be configured to apply a corrective measure based on the predicted state of the vehicle. The state of the vehicle may be predicted when the vehicle is parked in the outdoor environment. The state of the vehicle may comprise factors that prevent driving the vehicle.

An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames comprising at least one of a vehicle or an outdoor environment near the vehicle and a correction signal. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects, predict a state of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames and generate the correction signal. The correction signal may be configured to apply a corrective measure based on the predicted state of the vehicle. The state of the vehicle may be predicted when the vehicle is parked in the outdoor environment. The state of the vehicle may comprise factors that prevent driving the vehicle.

A vehicle sensor unit includes an infrared sensor configured to transmit an infrared ray to an outside of the vehicle, and receive an infrared ray reflected by a detection target object outside the vehicle, and a cover which is located in front of the infrared sensor in a transmission direction of the infrared ray to cover the infrared sensor and through which the infrared ray passes. A plurality of fine projection portions are formed on a surface of the cover on an opposite side of a surface on an infrared sensor side, at least in a region through which the infrared ray passes, and an interval between the projection portions that are adjacent to each other is equal to or smaller than a wavelength of the infrared ray.

A vehicle sensor unit includes an infrared sensor configured to transmit an infrared ray to an outside of the vehicle, and receive an infrared ray reflected by a detection target object outside the vehicle, and a cover which is located in front of the infrared sensor in a transmission direction of the infrared ray to cover the infrared sensor and through which the infrared ray passes. A plurality of fine projection portions are formed on a surface of the cover on an opposite side of a surface on an infrared sensor side, at least in a region through which the infrared ray passes, and an interval between the projection portions that are adjacent to each other is equal to or smaller than a wavelength of the infrared ray.

A telescopic cleaning device, for a glass surface to be cleaned of a motor vehicle, includes at least one hollow conveying body (5) for the cleaning fluid, closed at an upstream end by an inlet flange (12) and accommodating a movable piston (8) which is configured so as to slide in said hollow conveying body (5). The hollow conveying body (5) additionally accommodates a rod (14) which extends jutting out from the inlet flange and around which the movable piston is capable of sliding, the movable piston and/or the rod being configured so as to allow the fluid to flow between them from the inlet flange to the distribution element. The rod comprises a heating device (22), which comprises at least one heating element (24) extending in the interior of a heat conducting tube (26), along the axis of elongation (X) of the device.

A telescopic cleaning device, for a glass surface to be cleaned of a motor vehicle, includes at least one hollow conveying body (5) for the cleaning fluid, closed at an upstream end by an inlet flange (12) and accommodating a movable piston (8) which is configured so as to slide in said hollow conveying body (5). The hollow conveying body (5) additionally accommodates a rod (14) which extends jutting out from the inlet flange and around which the movable piston is capable of sliding, the movable piston and/or the rod being configured so as to allow the fluid to flow between them from the inlet flange to the distribution element. The rod comprises a heating device (22), which comprises at least one heating element (24) extending in the interior of a heat conducting tube (26), along the axis of elongation (X) of the device.

A vehicle cleaner system are mounted on an autonomous driving vehicle including a vehicle control unit capable of selectively executing an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The vehicle cleaner system includes: a cleaner unit configured to clean an external sensor; and a cleaner control unit configured to control the cleaner unit. When the vehicle control unit switches from the manual driving mode to the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle control unit is configured such that, after the cleaner control unit causes the cleaner unit to clean the external sensor or after a diagnosis is performed to ascertain whether or not the external sensor needs to be cleaned, the manual driving mode is switched to the autonomous driving mode.

A vehicle cleaner system are mounted on an autonomous driving vehicle including a vehicle control unit capable of selectively executing an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The vehicle cleaner system includes: a cleaner unit configured to clean an external sensor; and a cleaner control unit configured to control the cleaner unit. When the vehicle control unit switches from the manual driving mode to the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle control unit is configured such that, after the cleaner control unit causes the cleaner unit to clean the external sensor or after a diagnosis is performed to ascertain whether or not the external sensor needs to be cleaned, the manual driving mode is switched to the autonomous driving mode.

A vehicle and/or a method for detecting contaminants on an optical surface are provided. The vehicle includes at least one light source adjacent the optical surface and at least one light detector at an edge of the optical surface. A controller is configured to introduce light from at least one light source into the optical surface, and to measure light at the edge of the optical surface with at least one detector. The controller compares the measured light to a threshold, and, if the measured light crosses the threshold, triggers or implements a response action.

A camera assembly for a vision system for a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera module includes a housing and a lens barrel supporting a lens. A heating device is configured to attach at an exterior of the lens barrel. The heating device includes a heating element that at least partially circumscribes the lens barrel when the heating device is attached at the lens barrel. The heating device includes an electrical lead configured to electrically connect to an electrical connector of the vehicle when the camera module is disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle.