An automated parking system and a method enable a driverless vehicle to autonomously travel and park in a vacant parking slot through communication with a parking infrastructure. The automated parking system and method also control the driverless vehicle to autonomously travel from a parking slot to a pickup area through communication with the parking infrastructure.

An automated parking system and a method enable a driverless vehicle to autonomously travel and park in a vacant parking slot through communication with a parking infrastructure. The automated parking system and method also control the driverless vehicle to autonomously travel from a parking slot to a pickup area through communication with the parking infrastructure.

A system for controlling the locking of accessories by a vehicle includes a vehicle door, a door lock, and an input device configured to receive user input including an unlock request. The system further includes an accessory lock configured to alternate between a locked accessory state and an unlocked accessory state. The system further includes a network access device. The system further includes an ECU designed to determine a door unlock event in response to the input device receiving the unlock request and to control the door lock to alternate from the locked door state to the unlocked door state in response to determining the door unlock event. The ECU is further designed to control the network access device to instruct the accessory lock to alternate from the locked accessory state to the unlocked accessory state in response to determining the door unlock event.

A system for controlling the locking of accessories by a vehicle includes a vehicle door, a door lock, and an input device configured to receive user input including an unlock request. The system further includes an accessory lock configured to alternate between a locked accessory state and an unlocked accessory state. The system further includes a network access device. The system further includes an ECU designed to determine a door unlock event in response to the input device receiving the unlock request and to control the door lock to alternate from the locked door state to the unlocked door state in response to determining the door unlock event. The ECU is further designed to control the network access device to instruct the accessory lock to alternate from the locked accessory state to the unlocked accessory state in response to determining the door unlock event.

A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.

A vehicle may include a movable roof, a sensor supported by the roof, and an actuator for selectively raising and lowering the roof.

A vehicle may include a movable roof, a sensor supported by the roof, and an actuator for selectively raising and lowering the roof.

Systems and methods for reducing latency in vehicle access requests are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first vehicle access request from a user, determining a pre-authenticated status for the user based on authenticating the user in response to the first vehicle access request, determining a pre-authorized status for the user based on the determination of the pre-authenticated status, receiving a second first vehicle access request from the user, and granting access to the vehicle when the user has the pre-authenticated status. Access to the vehicle can be conditioned upon the pre-authorized status of the user.

Systems and methods for reducing latency in vehicle access requests are provided herein. An example method includes receiving a first vehicle access request from a user, determining a pre-authenticated status for the user based on authenticating the user in response to the first vehicle access request, determining a pre-authorized status for the user based on the determination of the pre-authenticated status, receiving a second first vehicle access request from the user, and granting access to the vehicle when the user has the pre-authenticated status. Access to the vehicle can be conditioned upon the pre-authorized status of the user.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for passenger authentication and entry for autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A vehicle receives information over a first communication channel from a first mobile device. The information specifies a geographical location. The information causes the vehicle to arrive at the geographical location. The vehicle transmits a first message to a second mobile device indicating that the vehicle has arrived at the geographical location. The first message includes a graphical icon representing the vehicle. The graphical icon is for display on a user interface of the second mobile device. The vehicle receives a second message from the second mobile device over a second communication channel. The second message indicates that the graphical icon was dragged across the user interface into a graphical receptacle displayed on the user interface. Responsive to receiving the second message, at least one door of the vehicle is unlocked.