The present invention relates to a vehicle assistant system of a vehicle comprising at least a first camera and a second camera, wherein the first camera is arranged such that the area in front of the vehicle can at least partially be captured, and wherein the second camera is arranged such that the interior of the vehicle can at least partially be captured, and wherein the vehicle assistant system comprises one common image data analysis unit which is configured to process image data received from the first camera and the second camera. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one vehicle assistant system.

A seating system for a vehicle is disclosed. The seating system includes a support surface having a surface contour formed by first springs having fixed stiffness values, a frame, and second springs having adjustable stiffness values coupling the support surface and the frame. The first springs and the second springs together control motion of the support surface in relation to motion of the frame.

A method and an apparatus for identifying occupancy of a seat use a camera. In order to achieve permanently reliable identification of the occupancy of a seat, the camera is oriented such that it captures at least one area of interest of the seat. An evaluation apparatus is used to identify the area of interest in a picture taken by the camera and to store a position for the area of interest. The evaluation apparatus selects the area of interest in pictures subsequently taken by the camera at the stored position and compares the area of interest with at least one stored picture sample. A result of this comparison is taken as a basis for identifying the seat as being occupied. In addition, an apparatus having a camera and an evaluation apparatus is described for performing the method.

The present disclosure relates to a method for collision impact force reduction for a vehicle. The method comprises determining a smallest relative distance (D) between a head of a driver of the vehicle and a steering wheel assembly comprising an airbag of the vehicle, obtaining information of an imminent collision, the collision being at least partly frontal, comparing (300) the smallest relative distance (D) to a pre-defined threshold, and, when said smallest relative distance (D) is equal to or less than said pre-defined threshold, initiating a forward displacement of a driver seat of the vehicle and a retraction of the steering wheel assembly comprising an airbag, preferably a retraction along the steering column of the steering wheel assembly.

A message is received that a mobile device is in proximity to a vehicle. For example, a cloud system may receive a message that the mobile device is in proximity to the car of a specific person. Based on the mobile device being in proximity to the vehicle, sensor information is received from one or more sensors on the vehicle. For example, an array of cameras on the vehicle may be used to detect a gesture. The received information from the one or more sensors on the vehicle is processed to identify one or more actions to implement on the vehicle. One or more commands are then sent to implement one or more actions on the vehicle. For example, the one or more commands may be to open a specific door on the vehicle and to turn on a specific heating system in the vehicle.

System and method for bi-directional autonomous vehicle. In one aspect, a vehicle's forward direction and front end are determined by a user's command or sitting orientation. In another aspect, a vehicle's forward direction and front end are determined by a user's records or prearrangements. Moreover, a vehicle's shape is adjustable according to front end selection.

Systems of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One example system includes an on-board computer that is part of the vehicle and communications circuitry of the vehicle usable by the on-board computer. The communications circuitry is configured to make connections with a wireless network for accessing a server. The on-board computer is configured to execute instructions for enabling portable devices that enter the vehicle to make a wireless connection with the vehicle. Vehicle electronics are interfaced with one or more vehicle systems and the on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to provide access to at least one graphical user interface viewable via the portable device using the wireless connection. The at least one graphical user interface includes input options that enable control for features of said vehicle systems of the vehicle. A location for the portable device within the vehicle is identified. The location is associated with select ones of the vehicle systems for an environment zone of the location, and vehicles systems that are not for the environment zone are not provided as input options via the graphical user interface provided for the portable device. The graphical user interface provides preferences associated with a user account when the portable device transfers credentials to the vehicle when making the wireless connection with the vehicle.

A vehicle includes one or more microphones that are each configured to selectively provide sound signals from one or more seating positions in the vehicle. A controller is programmed to receive an input indicative of a request to enter a group conversation mode upon initiation of a call, and, responsive to receiving the input, enable the microphones to selectively provide sound signals from all of the seating positions.

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.

Vehicle seat adjustment systems that move more than one seat in a linked manner are disclosed. A vehicle seat adjustment system for a vehicle includes a front seat of the vehicle, one or more passenger seats behind the front seat, an input device configured to receive an input for adjusting positions of the front seat, a first actuator configured to adjust positions of the front seat, a second actuator configured to adjust positions of the one or more passenger seats, and a controller communicatively coupled to the input device and the first and second actuators. The controller instructs the first actuator to move the front seat in a longitudinal direction for a first distance in response to the received input, and instructs the second actuator to move the one or more passenger seats in the longitudinal direction for a second distance in response to the received input.