A vehicle locating system that includes a hand-held remote unit associated with a user and a locator unit associated with a vehicle. The locator unit utilizes a GPS to store a location of the vehicle. The remote unit is selected from the group laptop computer, key ring, GPS watch, cellular telephone and PDA, and it utilizes a GPS to store a location of the user. The remote unit queries the locator unit to obtain the location of the vehicle, and then compares the location of the vehicle to its own location, whereupon the remote unit displays a direction for the user to travel in order to reach the vehicle.

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.

A vehicle locator system may include a sensor in communication with a lighting system, a wireless transceiver, an illumination assembly received within a housing, and a controller. The controller may be configured to command the illumination assembly to emit light according to a first pattern, responsive to a communication from a remote device received through the wireless transceiver. The communication may include a request to operate the illumination assembly in a vehicle locator mode, while a vehicle ignition is off.

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 in electrical communication 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 light-based vehicle-device communication includes a computer programmed to generate a first light pattern based on a received identifier, actuate a vehicle light according to the first light pattern, and then identify, from received image data, a second light pattern emitted from outside of the vehicle. The system may further include a mobile computing device programmed to generate the second light pattern based on a received vehicle identifier, and actuate a mobile device light according to the second light pattern. The mobile computing device may be programmed to identify, from received image data, the first light pattern.

As the number of autonomous vehicles on the road increases, the need to better integrate those vehicles with traffic also increases. As discussed, various entities in common traffic scenarios (e.g., other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, etc.) are all accustomed to navigating traffic in particular ways. Embodiments provide techniques, including systems and methods, for autonomous vehicles to identify entities in traffic and communicate messages to those entities based on the autonomous vehicle's planned movements. For example, embodiments allow the use of one or more notification devices distributed across an autonomous vehicle to provide messages to nearby entities. Accordingly, embodiments utilize available sensor data to identify nearby entities and provide messages to these entities.

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 roof rail assembly (10) including at least one stanchion portion (12) having a cover (14) and at least one lighting device (16). A light permeable film (22) provides a predetermined surface appearance and/or design and is translucent to allow light from the lighting device (16) to pass through under predetermined conditions. When the lighting device (16) is not illuminating, the light permeable film (22) provides a predetermined surface appearance. The film (22) is operatively translucent when the lighting source (16) is illuminated and additionally provides a predetermined design appearance when backlit. The selective lighting on the stanchions of the roof rails (18) provides illumination and a higher location of the indicator of unlock for easier location of a vehicle at greater distances.

An antenna apparatus includes a bottom member mounted on the vehicle, an antenna module including at least one antenna and disposed on a first portion of the bottom member, at least one light emitting element disposed on a second portion of the bottom member, and a cover member coupled to the bottom member to surround the antenna module and the at least one light emitting element therein.

An aerial light projection system is provided for locating a motor vehicle. That system includes a light projector configured to project a light beam above the motor vehicle, a transmitting device for transmitting an operator identification signal specific to the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to activate the light projector when an operator of the motor vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of the motor vehicle as indicated by receipt of the operator identification signal specific to the motor vehicle. A related method is also disclosed.