An agent apparatus includes a shift position detector and an agent controller. The shift position detector is configured to detect a shift position of a vehicle. The agent controller is configured to control a personified agent. The agent controller is configured to cause the agent to face a driver of the vehicle in a case where the shift position is in a parking range. Upon communicating information, the agent controller is configured to cause the agent to output the information using voice and a movement of arms of the agent.

A technique is directed to methods and systems for detecting the presence of a machine operator. In some implementations, an operator presence system monitors a machine to determine whether an operator is present in an operating machine. The operator presence system collects input data from sensors or devices on the machine and determines whether the operator is in the operator seat. During operation, if an operator is determined to not be in the operator seat, the operator presence system can generate and send notifications (e.g., visual or audible warnings) to alert the operator to sit in the operator seat.

A display control device is configured to include a pedal operation detecting unit to detect a pedal operation of a vehicle, and a display mode switching unit to switch a display mode of a meter, out of meters displayed on an instrument panel of the vehicle, whose presentation information is related to the pedal operation depending on a detection result of the pedal operation by the pedal operation detecting unit.

A vehicular display control device including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: detect when an operation region including plural switches provided to a steering wheel has been operated; and in a case in which operation of the operation region has been detected, display, at a display region set in front of a driving seat, an operation region image corresponding to the operation region and a status image indicating a current status of a function allocated to the switch that is being operated among the plural switches.

A display device of a vehicle includes: a display provided inside of the vehicle; an interior lighting device lighting up an inside surface of a passenger compartment of the vehicle at an outside of the display; and a control device controlling the display and the interior lighting device. The control device is configured so that when a condition for moving display stands, the display is made to show a moving display element moving toward an outer circumference of the display, and so that when the moving display element reaches the outer circumference of the display, the interior lighting device lights up an inside surface of a passenger compartment of the vehicle so that a light part lit by the interior lighting device appears to move successively from the moving display element.

There is provided a display device for a vehicle, the display device including: a display unit that is visible to an occupant of a vehicle; a memory; and a processor that is connected to the memory, the processor changing a content image displayed on the display unit so as to be displayed in the same direction as a direction in which a travel path of the vehicle curves.

A vehicle control system for a semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system includes a controller coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned within the vehicle and to a heads-up display (HUD). The controller includes a processor in communication with a memory device. The controller receives sensor data from the plurality of sensors, determines the vehicle is turning, identifies, based on the sensor data, a candidate turn path for the vehicle, and identifies an actual turn path for the vehicle. The controller also transmits, to one or more automation systems of the vehicle, a control signal that instructs the automation systems to perform a turn-assist function to reduce a determined deviation between the actual turn path and the candidate turn path and to transmit, to the HUD, a control signal that instructs the HUD to display a notification to a driver of the vehicle of the turn-assist function.

A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer is disclosed. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system may include a controller that processes information received from the sensor system to determine whether the object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in the travel path of the towed trailer. A visual display displays a trailer collision alert zone and a trailer collision avoidance zone. The position of the trailer collision avoidance zone on the visual display relative to the position of the trailer collision alert zone on the visual display directionally corresponds with a collision avoidance steering angle of the vehicle relative to a current steering angle of the vehicle when the controller determines that the object is in the travel path of the towed trailer.

An operating unit for operating a plurality of functional units of a motor vehicle includes a screen display unit and an input unit. The input unit has at least two selection elements for selecting one of the functional units and has a setting element for making a setting on a selected functional unit. Furthermore, the operating unit is configured to display a setting state of a selected functional unit as a pop-up on the screen display unit. A method of setting a parameter of a functional unit of a motor vehicle is also provided.

A truck scale assembly comprised of a payload containment portion affixed to a frame, an array of load cell assemblies, and a display screen positioned on a pickup truck surface. The array features load cell assemblies arranged in spaced apart relationship along an underside of the payload containment portion to allow load information from various regions of the containment portion to be communicated to and visually displayed by the display screen, allowing a truck operator to understand payload weight and relative distribution in the payload containment portion of the pickup truck. One embodiment of the assembly is an aftermarket drop in liner installed in an existing truck bed assembly, and a second embodiment is factory installed, with the array sandwiched between an underside of the truck bed and the truck frame. Information from the array is transmitted by wired connection or wirelessly to the display screen.