A vehicle includes a horn, a plurality of exterior lights, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to grant vehicle system access to a nomadic device paired to the vehicle, and in response to receiving a message that contains data identifying a source of the message while the vehicle is in a key-off state from a nomadic device not paired to the vehicle, activate the horn and exterior lights according to respective patterns.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of facilitating communications from an autonomous vehicle to a user. For instance, a method may include, while attempting to pick up the user and prior to the user entering an vehicle, inputting a current location of the vehicle and map information into a model in order to identify a type of communication action for communicating a location of the vehicle to the user; enabling a first communication based on the type of the communication action; determining whether the user has responded to the first communication from received sensor data; and enabling a second communication based on the determination of whether the user has responded to the communication.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mobile device tracking for control of vehicle subsystems. An example disclosed vehicle includes light panels embedded in the vehicle, wireless nodes, and an auxiliary body control module. The example auxiliary body control module, when a speed of the vehicle is less than a threshold speed, monitors a distance between a wireless device and the vehicle. In response to the distance satisfying a range threshold, the auxiliary body control module activates the light panels.

A lighting control system of the type including an electronic device with a processor, memory, wireless communication capability and a user interface may be used. A controller may be used with a receiver to receive wireless communication from the electronic device and an output terminal with at least one lighting array in electrical communication with the output terminal of the controller. A power supply may be provided with the controller thereby providing electrical power to the controller and the lighting array. Software on the electrical device may be used providing a graphical interface with a user to actuate the controller to provide an electrical output to the lighting array. The combination may be placed on a building, vehicle or any object to allow a plurality of lighting themes and palettes. Music may also be used to control the lighting output as well as speed or acceleration.

A system for locating a parked vehicle includes an elongated rod mountable on the parked vehicle and supporting a plurality of lights in an array extending along and about the elongated rod, and a portable control device adapted to be carried remote from the parked vehicle and activated to wirelessly communicate with and control the plurality of lights supported by the elongated rod.

A system and method for changing the exterior color of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle with a color change system integrated into the vehicle body of the vehicle. The color change system can change the color of a portion of the vehicle body in response to commands from a color change module running on a computing system within the vehicle. The color change module can detect information about the vehicle's environment to determine an appropriate target exterior vehicle color that contrasts substantially with the vehicle's environment.

In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, by a computing device of an autonomous vehicle, one of multiple entities within a proximity of the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes determining a location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle, determining a type of the one of the entities, and determining a predefined message to be presented to the one of the entities based on the location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle and further based on the type of the one of the entities. The predefined message is specific to the type of the one of the entities. The method includes causing the predefined message to be presented to the one of the entities by a notification device of the autonomous vehicle associated with the location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle.

A method to be implemented by a vehicle capable of communication with a portable electronic device is shown. The vehicle includes an electrical system including a power switch, and an indicating system including a processor, a wireless transmission module and an indicating unit. The method includes: controlling the electrical system to temporarily provide electric power to the indicating system when the power switch is switched from a conductive state to a non-conductive state; determining whether a wireless connection is established between the portable electronic device and the wireless transmission module. When it is determined that the wireless connection is established, activating the indicating unit to output an indication signal.

A method includes: establishing a wireless communication session with a mobile device of a user and a vehicle control unit equipped in a vehicle; receiving a sequence of vehicle light control signals transmitted from the mobile device defining activation periods during which a vehicle light of the vehicle is to be activated alternating with deactivation periods during which the vehicle light is to be deactivated; and controlling the vehicle light in synchronization with the sequence of vehicle light control signals while the sequence of vehicle light control signals is being received. The controlling of the vehicle light includes: continuously transmitting activation signals to the vehicle control unit to activate the vehicle light during each of the activation periods; and refraining from transmitting the activation signals to the vehicle control unit to deactivate the vehicle light during each of the deactivation periods.

In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, by a computing device of an autonomous vehicle, one of multiple entities within a proximity of the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes determining a location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle, determining a type of the one of the entities, and determining a predefined message to be presented to the one of the entities based on the location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle and further based on the type of the one of the entities. The predefined message is specific to the type of the one of the entities. The method includes causing the predefined message to be presented to the one of the entities by a notification device of the autonomous vehicle associated with the location of the one of the entities relative to the autonomous vehicle.