A station device in a biometric pre-identification system uses identity to perform one or more actions. Identities are determined (such as via a backend) using biometric information. A biometric pre-identification device obtains biometric information and/or a digital representation thereof from a person approaching the station device. The biometric pre-identification device transmits such to the station device, facilitating the station to begin and/or perform various actions. The station device begins or performs the actions using the identity determined based on the biometric information before the person arrives at the station device.

A service management system manages use authority for service information, the service information including a content of a service to be provided to a user of a vehicle, the service management system includes a memory configured to store a user ID given for each user of the vehicle and service information set for each vehicle, the user ID and the service information being associated with each other, and a processor configured to unify the use authority for first service information when a plurality of pieces of service information is associated with a single user ID, the first service information being included in each piece of service information.

In general, techniques are described by which provide confirmed automated access to portions of vehicles. A control system comprising a processor, and a memory may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to determine that the authorized operator of the vehicle is intending to access a portion of the vehicle, and output, responsive to determination, a confirmation request to the authorized operator. The confirmation request may request confirmation that the authorized operator is intending to access the portion of the vehicle. The memory may also store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive, from the authorized operator, a confirmation response indicating whether the authorized operator is intending to access at least the portion of the vehicle, and automatically open, based on the confirmation response, at least the portion of the vehicle.

According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided for autonomous vehicles having this safety functionality.

A method is disclosed for operating a motor vehicle, wherein a control device determines a first index value from vital physiological data received from a sensor device at a first point in time. The control device generates a first actuator signal describing the activation of first actuator function, to be carried out by a first actuator that is selected based on the first index value. At a second point in time, the sensor device records additional vital physiological data and identifies a second index value. Both index values, each describing a physiological state of the user, are compared, and the result is used to determine whether the second index value meets an efficacy criterion that describes a predetermined degree of improvement in the physiological state brought about by the activated actuator function. If the second index value meets the efficacy criterion, the first actuator function is activated as soon as an index value is identified that describes the same physiological state.

Methods and systems for communicating with a server of a cloud services system used to interface with vehicles are provided. One method includes receiving, by the server, a request from electronics of a vehicle to access a profile for a user account. The request identifies user information for a user to use the vehicle. The method includes processing, by the server, at least part of the user information to verify the user against data associated with the user account. The profile has a plurality of settings of the user for the vehicle, and at least part of the plurality of settings for the profile being stored on storage accessible to the cloud services system. The method includes transferring, by the server, upon verification of the user information, one or more settings of the plurality of settings to the vehicle. The transferring is configured to instruct software associated with said electronics of the vehicle to apply said one or more settings to the vehicle for customizing said vehicle to use said one or more settings, and the vehicle uses wireless communication with the cloud services system to receive said one or more settings for the profile. And, the profile is transferrable from vehicle to vehicle used by the user, so user settings go with the user. The profile, in one example, is activated automatically in a vehicle upon pairing a device with the vehicle.

The disclosure includes embodiments for identifying an origin of abnormal driving behavior for improved vehicle operation. A method includes identifying an abnormal driving behavior of a driver of a vehicle at a time T. The method includes identifying a set of events that occurred within a predetermined time Δt before time T. The method includes executing, by a processor, a cause-and-effect analysis on the set of events to determine one or more events from the set of events that caused the abnormal driving behavior. The method includes executing a strategy to reduce the abnormal driving behavior so that vehicle operation is improved.

When a transport is operating, there may be circumstances where the transport may be at least partially compromised and may be less safe than normal. In such situations where the transport is determined as being unsafe, the transport may act to limit the functionality of the transport. An example operation may include confirming that a transport includes at least one component that is not an original or authorized component, and limiting a functionality of the transport when it is determined that the operator of the transport is not associated with the transport.

Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.

A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls a driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). One or more processors compare a control processor competence level of an on-board SDV control processor in controlling the SDV to a human driver competence level of a human driver in controlling the SDV while the SDV encounters a current roadway condition which is a result of current weather conditions of the roadway on which the SDV is currently traveling. One or more processors then selectively assign control of the SDV to the SDV control processor or to the human driver while the SDV encounters the current roadway condition based on which of the control processor competence level and the human driver competence level is relatively higher to one another.