Among other things, techniques are described for expressive vehicle systems. These techniques may include obtaining, with at least one processor, data associated with an environment, the environment comprising a vehicle and at least one object; determining an expressive maneuver including a deceleration of the vehicle such that the vehicle stops at least a first distance away from the at least one object and the vehicle reaches a peak deceleration when the vehicle is a second distance away from the at least one object; generating data associated with control of the vehicle based on the deceleration associated with the expressive maneuver; and transmitting the data associated with the control of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to decelerate based on the deceleration associated with the expressive maneuver.

A wheel for a vehicle, which includes a mount configured to mount the wheel to a hub of the vehicle; a colored surface that is hidden from direct view from an outside environment when the wheel is mounted to the hub; and a contoured reflective surface optically aligned to reflect the colored surface into view of the outside environment when the wheel is mounted, thereby appearing to alter a color of the reflective surface.

A wheel for a roller coaster or other amusement ride vehicle includes a self-contained illumination system. The wheel comprises a hub through which an axle is disposed, a web extending from the hub and including a plurality of apertures, and an annular seat at a periphery of the web for receiving a tire thereon, the annular seat cooperating with the hub and the web to define an annular cavity. A PCB is disposed in the annular cavity and has a plurality of LEDs aligned with the plurality of apertures on the web. A permanent magnet generator within the wheel powers the PCB and the LEDS, the generator completely confined to the interior of the wheel.

A wireless power system for vehicle wheels is described. The system includes a magnetic field generator, e.g., a permanent magnet, embedded or disposed in a fixed position, e.g., in a wheel well or brake caliper(s), and a wireless power receiver embedded or disposed in a wheel rim or wheel trim. As the wheel rotates and receiver antenna(s) cross a flux path produced by the power transmitter, an alternating current signal is produced at the receiver, which is converted to a direct current signal, regulated, and delivered to various electronic components in the vehicle wheel. The received power can be used to charge a battery or power light emitting diodes (LEDs). A wireless communication module embedded in the vehicle wheel can be used to wirelessly control and monitor the electronic components, e.g., to change intensity or strobe periodicity of LEDs or monitor sensors.

A vehicle trim assembly is disclosed herein. The vehicle trim assembly includes a member having a transmissive member portion therein. A light source is configured to emit light through the light transmissive portion. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the member. A second photoluminescent structure is separated from the member and operably coupled with the light source. The first and second photoluminescent structures are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.

The Illuminated Tires and Wheel Assembly, is an advanced car tire that displays contrasting colors within the tire to yield caution to other drivers and pedestrians. The sole purpose of this tire is to reduce and eliminate road accidents due to poor driving, broken taillights, and miscommunication between drivers, pedestrians, and everything in its surroundings. The mission of the Illuminated Tires and Wheel Assembly is but not limited to ease the communication between drivers and pedestrians in a novel manner. Pedestrians ought to know that when this advanced car tire is illuminating in color Blue it means the car ignition is on, color Red means the car is in motion and finally, when the entire tire is glowing in color Green simply means that the breaks have been applied.

A power generation system is provided configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a stator having a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets; and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current. The stator is mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle. Also provided is a wheel-based vehicle display system including a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within a wheel of a vehicle; a power source connected thereto; and a controller connected to the LED array. The display system is configured to display at least one of: textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

A vehicle wheel illumination assembly includes a light source located on the body of a vehicle near the wheel well and oriented to direct light onto a wheel assembly having a tire. A tire pressure indicator detects tire pressure of the tire. The light source illuminates the wheel assembly with a desired color to indicate a tire pressure status based on the detected tire pressure. A photoluminescent material is located on the wheel assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light assembly.

An apparatus for illuminating a rotating element of the apparatus with as few as a single light source and a method for assembling such apparatus are disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a center, a clear substrate element that may rotate about the center, and a light source for evenly illuminating the clear substrate element. The light source is configured to emit light toward the clear substrate element at an angle, which is predetermined based on one or more attributes of the clear substrate element, such as the geometry and the index of refraction.

A brake caliper arranged straddling a braking band of a brake disc has first braking surface and second braking surface and a caliper body having a first caliper body portion facing the first braking surface, a second caliper body portion facing the second braking surface, and a bridge connecting the first and second caliper body portions. An outer caliper body surface faces away from the braking band. At least one of the first and second caliper body portions accommodates a thrust element. A light lamella protruding from the outer caliper body surface has a plate having two opposite plate surfaces, and plate edges. The plate has a predefined plate thickness and a side edge directed at the caliper body. The light lamella has a lighting body having a light source and transmitting, when activated, light radiation into the plate thickness so that the light radiation is distributed by the two opposite plate surfaces and/or the plate edges.