A wheel lock indicator for use with wheels on a tractor trailer. The wheel lock indicator includes an elongated bar having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion. The second end includes a light that is configured to be selectively turned on or off, while the first end has a magnetized portion to secure the first end to the wheel on the tractor trailer.

A vehicle is provided that includes a safety system that can provide an alert, external to the vehicle, that can warn other vehicles, people, etc. that a driver and/or passenger(s) are exiting the vehicle. Methods and systems determine when an occupant of a vehicle is about to exit by sensing the exit movement or an exit sequence, which may be detected by internal vehicle sensors. In response to the exit sequence, the vehicle may control one or more alert features, associated with the vehicle, to provide an external alert to other vehicles and/or users outside of the vehicle that a driver and/or passenger(s) is/are about to exit.

A vehicle illumination system provided to a vehicle capable of traveling in an autonomous driving mode includes: an illumination unit configured to emit a light pattern toward an outside of the vehicle; and an illumination controller configured to control the illumination unit to irradiate the light pattern to a predetermined position. When the vehicle changes a traffic lane from a first traffic lane to a second traffic lane, the illumination controller: controls the illumination unit to irradiate the light pattern on a road surface between a first other vehicle traveling on the second traffic lane and a second other vehicle which is a following vehicle of the first other vehicle; and changes a length of the light pattern, depending on an interval between the first other vehicle and the second other vehicle.

A notification device provided in a vehicle and configured to notify pedestrians of information includes a recognition unit configured to recognize, based on a result of detection performed by an external sensor, a plurality of pedestrians, a notification unit configured to perform notification about the information with respect to an outside of the vehicle, and a notification controller configured to generate the information, about which the notification unit performs notification, for each pedestrian in response to recognizing the plurality of pedestrians by the recognition unit and to cause the notification unit to perform notification about the generated information for each pedestrian.

Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information to be displayed; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information to be displayed acquired by the acquisition unit.

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector and a mirror back plate disposed at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate and has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. A blind spot indicator module includes a body portion and a connector portion extending laterally from the body portion. Light emitted by at least one light emitting diode passes through the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle who is driving the vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

Disclosed herein is school bus safety device comprising a rigid arm configured to move outwardly from a school bus in order to block vehicular traffic, and to be stored along the side, rear, front, bottom or top of the school bus when not in use, and a recording device mounted proximate or on the arm and being configured to record a position and/or movement of a nearby vehicle. A school bus including the device, and corresponding methods, also are disclosed.

An automated operation vehicle control unit is configured to perform a detection process in which an abnormal condition of a passenger of a vehicle is detected and a notification process in which pedestrians are notified of the abnormal condition detected in the detection process in a case where the abnormal condition of the passenger is detected in the detection process.

A system is provided for providing communication from automation to third parties. The system is able to receiving data about the environment around the automation and to process this data into messaging to be communicated to the third party. A method is also provided for facilitating messaging from an automation to a third party. The present system provides means for third parties to better understand the awareness, actions or intended actions of an automation. The messaging facilitates assurance and safety to third parties moving, living and working around automation.

A vehicle grille assembly is provided herein. The grille assembly includes a panel sealingly coupled to a substrate and defining a cavity therebetween. A light source is disposed within the cavity. A diffuser is disposed between the light source and a portion of the panel.