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The need for greater capacity in automotive transportation (in the midst of constrained resources) and the convergence of key technologies from multiple domains may eventually produce the emergence of a “swarm” concept of operations. The swarm, a collection of vehicles traveling at high speeds and in close proximity, will require management techniques to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable vehicle interactions. We propose a shared-autonomy approach in which the strengths of both human drivers and machines are employed in concert for this management. A fuzzy logic-based control implementation is combined with a genetic algorithm to select the shared-autonomy architecture and sensor capabilities that optimize swarm operations.

Through the use of finite-element modeling, pressure patterns on the underside of seat foam can be computed for a variety of occupants and seating positions. A design tool has been created which allows an engineer to evaluate different layouts for a pressure-sensing bladder in just minutes. This is important to meet FMVSS-208 safety regulations for vehicles sold in the US. Further, an artificial intelligence search engine has been applied to this problem to achieve near-optimal performance given the constraints of the seat design. Results are shown and compared with the traditional manual method of layout design.

Driver error is a major cause of vehicle accidents and fatalities. Many of these accidents are related to impaired driver cognition because of fatigue, drowsiness, stress, or mental workload. Physiological parameters such as heart rate and respiration rate are useful for monitoring the cognitive state of a vehicle driver. The Delphi Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS) is passive, non-invasive and non-intrusive. We studied the PODS AC output to explore its utility for measuring occupant physiological parameters in a static environment. We demonstrated that with suitable filtering, amplifying, and signal processing, PODS AC signals can give respiration rate, heart rate and heart rate variability.

An overview of model development for seated occupants is presented. Two approaches have been investigated for modeling the vertical response of a seated dummy: finite element and simplified mass-spring-damper methods. The construction and implementation of these models are described, and the various successes and drawbacks of each modeling approach are discussed. To evaluate the performance of the models, emphasis was also placed on producing accurate, repeatable measurements of the static and dynamic characteristics of a seated dummy.

A novel Blended Hydraulic Hybrid transmission architecture is presented in this paper with benefits over conventional designs. This novel configuration combines elements of a hydrostatic transmission, a parallel hybrid, and a selectively connectable high pressure accumulator using passive and actively controlled logic elements. Losses are reduced compared to existing series hybrid transmissions by enabling the units to operate efficiently at pressures below the current high pressure accumulator's pressure. A selective connection to the high pressure accumulator also allows for higher system precharge which increases regenerative braking torque and energy capture with little determent to system efficiency. Finally operating as a hydrostatic transmission increases transmission stiffness (i.e. driver response) and may improve driver feel in certain situations when compared to a conventional series hybrid transmission.