Methods and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate vehicle locking. An example vehicle comprises an engine, wheels, a door, a door lock, a torque lock, and a processor and memory. The torque lock is to disable torque transfer from the engine to the wheels. The door lock is to secure the door. The processor and memory are in communication with the torque lock and the door lock and configured to: engage the torque and door locks based on receipt of at least one lockout code and, if received authentication information matches the at least one lockout code, disengage the torque and door locks.

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for unlocking a vehicle. An example vehicle includes an ultraviolet keypad coupled to a window. The vehicle also includes a camera directed at the window, configured to capture a key press of the ultraviolet keypad and an iris of a person outside the vehicle. And the vehicle further includes a processor configured to detect the key press and iris, unlock the vehicle based on the detected key press, and modify a vehicle setting based on a profile corresponding to the detected iris.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.

A robot that recognizes a user by identifying elements in a captured image that match elements in at least one previously captured image of the user, identifying biometric data that matches previously captured biometric data of the user, or identifying voice data that matches previously captured voice data of the user. Upon recognition of the user, the user is authorized to use the robot, control the robot, modify settings of the robot, add or delete or modify access of users to the robot, actuate the robot, program the robot, and assign a task to the robot.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

Methods and systems autonomously parking and retrieving vehicles are disclosed. Available parking spaces or parking facilities may be identified, and the vehicle may be navigated to an available space from a drop-off location without passengers. Special-purpose sensors, GPS data, or wireless signal triangulation may be used to identify vehicles and available parking spots. Upon a user request or a prediction of upcoming user demand, the vehicle may be retrieved autonomously from a parking space. Other vehicles may be autonomously moved to facilitate parking or retrieval.

An occupant identification system for a vehicle and method of operating the same includes a plurality of biometric sensors generating sensor signals. A controller is programmed to determine static data from the biometric sensors, determine dynamic data over time from the biometric sensors, determine a sensor fusion based on the static data and the dynamic data, compare the sensor fusion to a user profile and enable a vehicle function when the sensor fusion corresponds to the user profile.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.

A scanning apparatus is disposed on a vehicle and included an external rearview assembly having a housing and an electro-optic element. The electro-optic element includes a first substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface. The electro-optic element also includes a second substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate define a cavity. An electro-optic medium is contained in the cavity. An image sensor is disposed on the housing and directed outward, the image sensor configured to capture biometric data from an individual that is processed by a controller to unlock a door of the vehicle.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.