A method and system for a responsive climate control interface are disclosed. The climate control interface includes an interactive element further comprised of a climate settings map and a climate setting selector. The climate setting selector can be moved to different locations on the climate settings map in order to select a climate setting with a particular temperature and fan speed. The appearance of both the climate settings map and the climate setting selector can be changed as the climate change selector is moved in order to visually indicate temperature and fan speed settings. The system also includes a haptic feedback module that can convert climate settings into haptic feedback levels.

A vehicle camera includes an image sensor and a variable lens. The variable lens includes a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystal molecules having an arrangement that depends on a voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. The variable lens is configured to, based on the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, alter light that is introduced into the image sensor.

A device and a method for warning a driver of a vehicle. The vehicle includes one or multiple surroundings sensor(s) that detect objects in the vehicle surroundings, and an evaluation device is provided in which a surroundings model is created from the object detections by the one or multiple surroundings sensor(s). Also provided is an actuator system that informs the driver of recognized objects of the surroundings model, in that the actuator system for informing the driver contains a piece of spatial warning information, and the driver is haptically informed of the position of the object.

A device and a method for warning a driver of a vehicle. The vehicle includes one or multiple surroundings sensor(s) that detect objects in the vehicle surroundings, and an evaluation device is provided in which a surroundings model is created from the object detections by the one or multiple surroundings sensor(s). Also provided is an actuator system that informs the driver of recognized objects of the surroundings model, in that the actuator system for informing the driver contains a piece of spatial warning information, and the driver is haptically informed of the position of the object.

A manual mode training system for a vehicle having a manual transmission or a “manual mode” transmission controlled by a paddle shifter. The system includes a sensor to obtain force and position information from a foot pedal of the vehicle, and a processor to receive the information. Based on the information, the processor may predict an intended vehicle response, determine an appropriate gear to achieve the intended vehicle response, and notify a driver, through a haptic feedback mechanism, how to shift the transmission of the vehicle to reach the appropriate gear. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A system includes a vehicle transmission shifter input device; and a computer. The computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to detect, via the shifter input device, a user input to shift the vehicle transmission; and generate, a haptic feedback via the shifter input device.

A system includes a vehicle transmission shifter input device; and a computer. The computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to detect, via the shifter input device, a user input to shift the vehicle transmission; and generate, a haptic feedback via the shifter input device.

A computer in a vehicle includes a processor programmed to apply, on the vehicle, upon detecting an occupant alertness level below a first threshold, a first periodic component to a first torque applied to one or more first-end wheels and a second periodic component to a second torque applied to one or more second-end wheels.

Provided is a portable electronic device including: a sensor; and a control unit controlling the sensor so as to obtain movement information of the portable electronic device in order to detect a movement of at least a part of a user's arm, determining whether the user is in a driving state on the basis of the movement information, automatically switching into a driving mode on the basis of the determination, and activating at least one function relating to driving among the functions of the portable electronic device on the basis of the switching into the driving mode.

The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.