Door handle positioner system for vehicle

Abstract

A door handle locator system for a vehicle includes one or more modalities that provide sensing feedback to a user indicative of a position of a door handle as part of a door of the vehicle. The door handle locator system also includes one or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more modalities. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a wireless signal indicative of a position of a user relative to the vehicle. The one or more controllers determine that the user is approaching the vehicle based on a location of the user relative to the vehicle. In response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, the one or more controllers instruct one or more modalities to provide sensory feedback to the user indicative of the position of the door handle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a door handle locator system for a vehicle that includes one or more modalities that provide sensory feedback to a user indicative of the position of a vehicle door handle. Background Art

[0002] Individuals may actuate door handles to enter or exit a vehicle. The vehicle includes interior door handles that allow passengers to exit the vehicle and exterior door handles that allow individuals to enter the interior cabin of the vehicle. Some individuals may find it difficult to locate door handles in low light conditions, such as at dusk or at night. It should be understood that visually impaired individuals may have extreme difficulty locating a vehicle's door handles in low light conditions due to their limited visual capabilities. Furthermore, it should be understood that for aesthetic purposes, the door handles of a vehicle are designed to blend in with the vehicle, which exacerbates the problems that individuals may encounter when locating door handles in low light conditions.

[0003] Therefore, while vehicle door handles perform their intended purpose, there is a need in the art for a method to assist an individual in locating the door handle. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to several aspects, a door handle locator system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a door having a door handle. The door handle locator system includes one or more modalities that provide sensory feedback to a user indicating a position of the door handle, and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more modalities. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a wireless signal indicating a position of the user relative to the vehicle. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine that the user is approaching the vehicle based on the position of the user relative to the vehicle. In response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more modalities to provide sensory feedback to the user indicating a position of the door handle.

[0005] In another aspect, one or more modalities include one or more haptic mechanisms that produce haptic feedback.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the one or more haptic mechanisms create a vibration pattern comprising a plurality of individual vibrations dissipated throughout a body of the vehicle door, wherein a user positions the door handle based on the intensities of the individual vibrations.

[0007] In one aspect, one or more haptic mechanisms are located within the body of the vehicle door.

[0008] In another aspect, one or more tactile mechanisms are positioned within the door handle.

[0009] On the other hand, one or more controllers adjust at least one of the following: the intensity, length, and pitch of the tactile feedback to convey information about one or more of the following: the door handle, the vehicle door opened by the door handle, and the interior seat of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle door opened by the door handle.

[0010] In yet another aspect, one or more modalities include one or more light emitting elements that emit visible light.

[0011] In one aspect, one or more controllers adjust at least one of: intensity and color of visible light to convey information about one or more of: a door handle, a door opened by the door handle, and an interior seat of the vehicle corresponding to the door opened by the door handle.

[0012] On the other hand, one or more controllers instruct one or more light-emitting elements to create an animation to indicate one or more of the following: the specific position of the door handle relative to the vehicle door, the door state of the vehicle door with the door handle open, and the occupancy state of the interior seat corresponding to the vehicle door.

[0013] In yet another aspect, one or more modalities include one or more speakers that produce sound audible to humans.

[0014] In one aspect, the one or more controllers adjust at least one of: a frequency and an intensity of a sound emitted by the one or more speakers to guide a user toward the door handle.

[0015] In another aspect, the sounds emitted by the one or more speakers include voice commands.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the one or more modes include one or more actuation elements that actuate the door handle between the retracted position and the deployed position.

[0017] In one aspect, in response to determining that a user is approaching the vehicle, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more actuation elements to rotate the door handle from the retracted position to the deployed position.

[0018] In another aspect, when the door handle is in the deployed position, the distal end of the door handle protrudes outwardly relative to an outer surface of the vehicle door.

[0019] In yet another aspect, one or more modalities include one or more electromagnets that generate a magnetic field when an electric current is provided.

[0020] In one aspect, the user wears a complementary magnet that includes a polarity opposite to that of the one or more electromagnets.

[0021] In another aspect, a magnetic force is generated when one or more electromagnets attract a complementary magnet, and wherein the magnitude of the magnetic force is sufficient to urge a user's hand toward a door handle of the vehicle.

[0022] In yet another aspect, a method for indicating a position of a door handle of a vehicle by a door handle locator system is provided. The method includes receiving, by one or more controllers, a wireless signal indicating a position of a user relative to the vehicle. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, that a user is approaching the vehicle based on the position of the user relative to the vehicle. In response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, the method includes instructing one or more modalities to provide sensory feedback to the user indicating the position of the door handle.

[0023] In one aspect, a door handle locator system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a door having a door handle. The door handle locator system includes one or more modalities that provide sensory feedback to a user indicating the position of the door handle, wherein the one or more modalities include one or more of the following: one or more tactile mechanisms, one or more light-emitting elements, one or more speakers, one or more actuation elements, and one or more electromagnets. The door handle locator system includes one or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more modalities. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a wireless signal indicating a user's position relative to the vehicle, determine that the user is approaching the vehicle based on the user's position relative to the vehicle, and in response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, instruct the one or more modalities to provide sensory feedback to the user indicating the position of the door handle.

[0024] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including a disclosed door handle locator system according to an exemplary embodiment, the door handle locator system including one or more controllers in electronic communication with one or more modalities that provide sensory feedback to a user indicating the position of a door handle;

[0027] Figure 2A One of the doors of a vehicle including one or more haptic mechanisms as a modality is shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2B According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 2A A vibration pattern produced by the haptic mechanism shown in along a door of a vehicle;

[0029] Figure 3AOne of the vehicle's doors is shown including one or more light emitting elements placed as a modality within a door handle according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3B One of the vehicle's doors is shown including one or more light emitting elements placed as a modality around a door handle according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] Figure 4A is a top view of one of the doors of a vehicle including one or more actuation elements as a modality according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the one or more actuation elements are in a retracted position;

[0032] Figure 4B is a top view of one of the doors of a vehicle including one or more actuation elements as a modality according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the one or more actuation elements are in a deployed position;

[0033] Figure 5 shows one of the vehicle's doors including one or more electromagnets as a modality according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for providing sensory feedback indicative of a position of a door handle by a door handle locator system according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , a schematic diagram of an exemplary door handle locator system 10 for a vehicle 12 is shown. It should be understood that the vehicle 12 can be any type of vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a van, or an RV. As explained below, the door handle locator system 10 includes one or more modalities 14 that provide sensory feedback to a user 16 indicating the position of a door handle 18 that is part of the vehicle 12 when activated. The door handle locator system 10 includes one or more controllers 20 in electronic communication with the one or more modalities 14 and the one or more door handles 18. In a non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the one or more modalities 14 include one or more of the following: one or more tactile mechanisms 22, one or more light emitting elements 24, one or more speakers 26, one or more actuating elements 28, and one or more electromagnets 30. It should be understood that although Figure 1 Only a single door handle 18 is shown, but only for the purposes of simplicity and clarity, and each door 42 that is part of the vehicle 12 includes an interior door handle as well as an exterior door handle.

[0037] The one or more controllers 20 of the door handle locator system 10 wirelessly communicate with a personal electronic device 32, wherein the personal electronic device 32 sends a wireless signal to the one or more controllers 20 indicating the location of the user 16 relative to the vehicle 12. The one or more controllers 20 determine when the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12 based on the location of the user 16 relative to the vehicle 12. For example, when the location of the user 16 is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 12, the one or more controllers 20 determine that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12. In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, the one or more controllers 20 instruct the one or more modalities 14 to provide sensory feedback to the user 16 indicating the location of the door handle 18. The personal electronic device 32 is any type of portable electronic device with wireless communication capabilities so that the individual can carry the personal electronic device 32 with them. Some examples of personal electronic devices 32 include, but are not limited to, key fobs, smartphones, and smart watches.

[0038] Where the door handle locator system 10 includes more than one modality 14, in one embodiment, the user 16 may select which modality 14 to activate to indicate the position of the door handle 18. The user 16 may activate the modality 14 by entering user input into an interface 40 that is part of the vehicle 12 or alternatively through the personal electronic device 32. The interface 40 is any type of user interface that receives and processes user input, such as an infotainment system. For example, if the personal electronic device 32 is a smartphone, the user 16 may enter user input into the smartphone that activates one or more light-emitting elements 24 as the modality 14 that is activated to indicate the position of the door handle 18.

[0039] In one embodiment, the user 16 enters user input into the personal electronic device 32 or the user interface 40 to customize the sensory feedback generated by one or more modalities 14. Specifically, the sensory feedback can be customized to only allow activation of specific modalities 14 corresponding to one or more door handles 18 that are part of the vehicle 12. For example, in one embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a ride-sharing vehicle. In this example, the tactile feedback is customized to only allow activation of modalities 14 corresponding to door handles 18 that provide access to the back seat of the vehicle 12 because ride-sharing passengers do not typically ride in the front seats of the vehicle 12.

[0040] Figure 2A Shows Figure 1 One or more tactile mechanisms 22 are shown in the drawings for an exterior door handle 18 disposed along an exterior door 42 of the vehicle 12. It should be understood that while the drawings show a door handle 18 located on a door 42 on the exterior of the vehicle 12, in another embodiment, the door handle 18 may be an interior door handle located within the interior cabin of the vehicle 12. Figure 2AIn the illustrated example, the one or more haptic mechanisms 22 are shown in phantom and are located within the body 44 of the vehicle door 42 and around the door handle 18. However, it should be understood that in another embodiment, the one or more haptic mechanisms 22 may be positioned within the door handle 18. The one or more haptic mechanisms 22 include any device that produces haptic feedback, such as an eccentric rotating mass actuator.

[0041] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, one or more controllers 20 ( Figure 1 ) instructs one or more tactile mechanisms 22 to generate sensor feedback, which is tactile feedback. The tactile feedback produces a vibration pattern 46 that includes a plurality of individual vibrations 48 that are dissipated throughout the body 44 of the vehicle door 42. Figure 2B As shown, individual vibrations 48 included as part of the vibration pattern 46 are stronger near the door handle 18, wherein the intensity of the vibrations 48 gradually dissipates as the individual vibrations 48 travel through the body 44 of the vehicle door 42. Figure 1 ) locates the door handle 18 based on the intensity of the individual vibrations 48 generated by one or more tactile mechanisms 22.

[0042] In one embodiment, the intensity, length, pitch, or a combination of intensity, length, or pitch of the tactile feedback generated by one or more tactile mechanisms 22 is modulated to convey information about one or more of the following: the door handle 18, the door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and the interior seat of the vehicle 12 corresponding to the door 42 opened by the door handle 18. Specifically, in one embodiment, one or more of the intensity, length, and pitch of the tactile feedback are modulated to indicate a specific position of the door handle 18 relative to the door 42, a door state of the door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and an occupancy state of the interior seat corresponding to the door 42. The door state indicates whether the door 42 is locked or unlocked, and the occupancy state indicates when a passenger occupies a specific seat. For example, in one embodiment, one or more tactile mechanisms 22 are modulated to produce a repetitive vibration pattern to indicate a specific position of the door handle 18 relative to the door 42. As another example, one or more tactile mechanisms 22 are modulated to produce three higher pitch vibrations to indicate that the seat is occupied.

[0043] Figure 3A Shows Figure 1 One or more light emitting elements 24 are shown for the door handle 18. Figure 3A In the embodiment shown, the light emitting element 24 is placed in the door handle 18. Alternatively, in Figure 3BIn the illustrated embodiment, the light emitting elements 24 are positioned along the exterior surface 60 of the vehicle door 42 and around the door handle 18. The one or more light emitting elements 24 include any device that produces visible light, such as a light emitting diode (LED). Figure 3A and Figure 3B In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, one or more controllers 20 ( Figure 1 ) instructs one or more light emitting elements 24 to generate visible light. The visible light provides illumination and guides the hand of the user 16 toward the door handle 18. In an embodiment, the visible light is white light, however, it should be understood that any other color of light may also be used, such as red light, blue light, or green light.

[0044] In one embodiment, one or more controllers 20 ( Figure 1 ) modulates the visible light emitted by one or more light-emitting elements 24 to convey information about one or more of the following: the door handle 18, the door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and the interior seat of the vehicle 12 corresponding to the door 42 opened by the door handle 18. Specifically, in one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 modulate the color, intensity, or both of the color and intensity of the visible light to indicate a specific position of the door handle 18 relative to the door 42, the door state of the door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and the occupancy state of the interior seat corresponding to the door 42. For example, in one embodiment, to indicate the door state, the one or more controllers 20 may instruct the light-emitting elements 24 to generate blue light to indicate when the door 42 is unlocked, and instruct the light-emitting elements 24 to generate white light to indicate when the door 42 is locked. In another example, the one or more controllers 20 instruct the light-emitting elements 24 to flash or emit light to guide the user 16 toward a specific door handle 18 corresponding to one of the doors 42 as part of the vehicle 12.

[0045] In one embodiment, one or more controllers 20 instruct one or more light-emitting elements 24 to create animations to indicate the specific position of the door handle 18 relative to the vehicle door 42, the door state of the vehicle door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and the occupancy state of the interior seat corresponding to the vehicle door 42. It should be understood that the light-emitting elements 24 are active by dynamically flashing, blinking, changing colors, and changing intensities. For example, if the seat corresponding to one of the door handles 18 is occupied, one or more controllers 20 can instruct the light-emitting elements 24 to produce relatively short blue and white light flashes to indicate that the corresponding seat is occupied. In one embodiment, the color, intensity, and animation of the visible light emitted by one or more light-emitting elements 24 are specially customized to attract the attention of guide dogs or other service animals.

[0046] refer to Figure 1In one embodiment, one or more of the modes 14 include one or more speakers 26. The one or more speakers 26 may be positioned within a body 44 of one of the vehicle doors 42 in an area directly behind the door handle 18 ( Figure 2A and Figure 2B In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, one or more controllers 20 ( Figure 1 ) instructs the one or more speakers 26 to generate a sound audible to humans. The sound guides the user 16 toward the door handle 18. Specifically, in one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 can guide the user 16 toward the door handle 18 by modulating the frequency, intensity, or both the frequency and intensity of the sound emitted by the one or more speakers 26. In another embodiment, the sound emitted by the one or more controllers 20 includes a voice instruction, wherein the voice instruction guides the user 16 toward the door handle 18.

[0047] In one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 direct the sound emitted by the one or more speakers 26 to convey information about one or more of the following: the door handle 18, the vehicle door 42 opened by the door handle 18, and the vehicle door 42 opened by the door handle 18 ( Figure 2A ) corresponding to an interior seat of the vehicle 12 that is part of the vehicle 12. In one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 direct a sound to indicate the door status of a door 42 opened by a door handle 18 or the occupancy status of an interior seat corresponding to the door 42. For example, a voice instruction is used to indicate when a seat is occupied, such as a voice instruction indicating "seat is occupied, please find another door". As another example, a sound prompt or voice instruction can be used to indicate when a door is locked, such as a voice instruction indicating "door is locked" or "door is unlocked". In another example, the one or more controllers 20 direct a sound emitted by the speaker 26 to guide the user 16 toward a specific door handle 18 corresponding to one of the doors 42 that is part of the vehicle 12. For example, if the user 16 attempts to open the passenger side door when the user 16 is calling a ride-sharing vehicle that has the user 16 sitting in the back seat, the voice instruction may indicate "door error".

[0048] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A top view of a door 42 of a vehicle 12 including one or more actuating elements 28 is shown. Specifically, Figure 4A The door handle 18 is shown in a retracted position, Figure 4BThe door handle 18 is shown in a deployed position, wherein one or more actuating elements 28 actuate the door handle 18 between the retracted position and the deployed position. The one or more actuating elements 28 are any device that actuates the door handle 18 between the retracted position and the deployed position, such as, but not limited to, an electric motor. The one or more actuating elements 28 are positioned within the body 44 of the vehicle door 42 and are operably connected to the proximal end 62 of the door handle 18.

[0049] The door handle 18 is normally in the retracted position, as Figure 4A 4, wherein the proximal end 62 and the distal end 64 of the door handle 18 are positioned flush with the exterior surface 60 of the vehicle door 42. In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, one or more controllers 20 ( Figure 1 ) instructs one or more actuating elements 28 to move the door handle 18 from Figure 4A Rotate to the retracted position shown Figure 4B When in the deployed position, the distal end 64 of the door handle 18 projects outwardly at an angle θ relative to the outer surface 60 of the vehicle door 42, thereby making the door handle 18 more prominent than in the retracted position. Figure 1 ) makes it easier to see the door handle 18. In addition to making the door handle 18 more prominent, the door handle 18 is also easier for the user 16 to grasp, which is particularly beneficial for individuals who have problems grasping or manipulating objects.

[0050] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 One or more electromagnets 30 are shown as one or more modes 14 of the door handle 18. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, one or more electromagnets 30 are positioned within the body 44 of the vehicle door 42 directly adjacent to the door handle 18, however, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the electromagnets 30 may be positioned within the door handle 18. Figure 1 and Figure 5 In response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12 , the one or more controllers 20 activate the one or more electromagnets 30 by providing current to the one or more electromagnets 30 to generate a magnetic field M.

[0051] like Figure 5As shown, the user 16 wears a complementary magnet 70. The complementary magnet 70 worn by the user 16 has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the one or more electromagnets 30 of the vehicle 12. The complementary magnet 70 is part of an accessory 72 worn on the hand 74 or forearm 76 of the user 16. The accessory 72 can be a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, a bracelet, or a watch band. Therefore, when the one or more electromagnets 30 are activated and the complementary magnet 70 worn by the user 16 enters the magnetic field M, a magnetic force is generated due to the one or more electromagnets 30 attracting the complementary magnet 70 worn by the user 16. The magnitude of the magnetic force is sufficient to push the hand 74 of the user 16 in the direction toward the door handle 18 of the vehicle 12. That is, in other words, the magnitude of the magnetic force is strong enough so that the user 16 detects the force that draws his hand 74 toward the door handle 18.

[0052] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 600 for providing sensory feedback indicating the position of a door handle 18 as part of a vehicle 12 to a user 16 via the door handle locator system 10. Figure 1 and Figure 6 , the method 600 may begin at block 602. In block 602, the one or more controllers 20 receive a wireless signal from the personal electronic device 32 indicating the location of the user 16 relative to the vehicle 12. The method 600 may then proceed to block 604.

[0053] In decision block 604, the one or more controllers 20 determine whether the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12 based on the location of the user 16 relative to the vehicle 12 indicated by the wireless signal. For example, when the location of the user 16 is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 12, the one or more controllers 20 determine that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12. In response to determining that the user 16 is not approaching the vehicle 12, the method 600 terminates. However, in response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, the method 600 continues to block 606.

[0054] In block 606, in response to determining that the user 16 is approaching the vehicle 12, the one or more controllers 20 direct the one or more modalities 14 to provide sensory feedback to the user 16 indicating the position of the door handle 18. It should be understood that the user 16 may select which modalities 14 to activate to indicate the position of the door handle 18. The method 600 may then terminate.

[0055] In general, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed door handle locator system provides various technical effects and benefits. Specifically, the disclosed door handle locator system provides a method for providing sensory feedback indicating the position of a vehicle door handle. It should be understood that the sensory feedback provided by one or more modalities may be particularly helpful for individuals who are visually impaired and have particular difficulty locating a vehicle's door handle in low-light conditions. In addition to the position of the door handle, the door handle locator system may also provide other information to the individual, such as information about the state of the vehicle door and the occupancy state of the interior seat corresponding to the vehicle door.

[0056] A controller may refer to an electronic circuit, a combinatorial logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code, or a portion of an electronic circuit, a combinatorial logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code, or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip. In addition, the controller may be based on a microprocessor, for example, a computer having at least one processor, memory (RAM and / or ROM), and associated input and output buses. The processor may operate under the control of an operating system residing in the memory. The operating system may manage computer resources so that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications (such as applications residing in the memory) may have instructions executed by the processor. In an alternative embodiment, the processor may execute the application directly, in which case the operating system may be omitted.

[0057] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A door handle locator system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a door having a door handle, the door handle locator system comprising: one or more modalities that provide sensory feedback to a user indicating a position of the door handle; as well as one or more controllers in electronic communication with the one or more modalities, wherein the one or more controllers execute instructions to: receiving a wireless signal indicative of the user's position relative to the vehicle; determining that the user is approaching the vehicle based on the position of the user relative to the vehicle; as well as In response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, the one or more modalities are directed to provide sensory feedback to the user indicative of a position of the door handle. 2 . The door handle locator system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more modalities include one or more tactile mechanisms that produce tactile feedback.

3. The door handle locator system of claim 2, wherein the one or more tactile mechanisms produce a vibration pattern comprising a plurality of individual vibrations dissipated throughout a body of the vehicle door, wherein: The user positions the door handle based on the intensity of the individual vibrations.

4. The door handle positioner system of claim 2, wherein the one or more tactile mechanisms are located within a body of the vehicle door.

5. The door handle locator system of claim 2, wherein the one or more tactile mechanisms are positioned within the door handle.

6. The door handle locator system of claim 2, wherein the one or more controllers adjust at least one of: the intensity, length, and pitch of the tactile feedback to convey information about one or more of: the door handle, the vehicle door opened by the door handle, and the vehicle interior seat corresponding to the vehicle door opened by the door handle.

7. The door handle positioner system of claim 1, wherein the one or more modes include one or more actuation elements that actuate the door handle between a retracted position and a deployed position. 8 . The door handle positioner system of claim 7 , wherein in response to determining that the user is approaching the vehicle, the one or more controllers instruct the one or more actuation elements to rotate the door handle from the retracted position to the deployed position. 9 . The door handle positioner system of claim 7 , wherein when the door handle is in the deployed position, a distal end of the door handle protrudes outwardly relative to an outer surface of the vehicle door.

10. The door handle locator system of claim 1, wherein the one or more modalities include one or more electromagnets that generate a magnetic field when an electric current is provided.

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