A speed control device can execute continuous deceleration control and speed setting change control. In the continuous deceleration control, a vehicle is decelerated over a period of time that a first operation is effective. In the speed setting change control, upon reception of a second operation, one set speed is selected out of a plurality of set speeds that are set in advance, and a target speed of the vehicle is changed to the selected set speed. When a deceleration completion speed, which is a speed at completion of the continuous deceleration control, is equal to or above a slowest set speed among the set speeds, the speed control device is configured to set as a new target speed the set speed that is equal to or below the deceleration completion speed and that is closest to the deceleration completion speed.

A speed control device can execute continuous deceleration control and speed setting change control. In the continuous deceleration control, a vehicle is decelerated over a period of time that a first operation is effective. In the speed setting change control, upon reception of a second operation, one set speed is selected out of a plurality of set speeds that are set in advance, and a target speed of the vehicle is changed to the selected set speed. When a deceleration completion speed, which is a speed at completion of the continuous deceleration control, is equal to or above a slowest set speed among the set speeds, the speed control device is configured to set as a new target speed the set speed that is equal to or below the deceleration completion speed and that is closest to the deceleration completion speed.

A monitor monitors whether a person is present inside a vehicle that travels in an automated driving mode. The monitor also monitors the state of the vehicle. A controller performs one or more actions according to the result of monitoring of the monitor. This means that when one or more persons are present inside the vehicle, the controller performs one or more actions according to the state of the vehicle. In other words, when no person is present inside the vehicle, the controller does not perform one or more actions. Here, the controller generates control information for controlling the vehicle according to the result of the monitoring, and transmits it to the vehicle.

A monitor monitors whether a person is present inside a vehicle that travels in an automated driving mode. The monitor also monitors the state of the vehicle. A controller performs one or more actions according to the result of monitoring of the monitor. This means that when one or more persons are present inside the vehicle, the controller performs one or more actions according to the state of the vehicle. In other words, when no person is present inside the vehicle, the controller does not perform one or more actions. Here, the controller generates control information for controlling the vehicle according to the result of the monitoring, and transmits it to the vehicle.

A cruise control method to control a driven vehicle includes: determining projected speeds of the driven vehicle at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations; determining a plurality of following times at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations of the driven vehicle and the projected speeds of the followed vehicle; determining whether at least one of the plurality of following times is less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold; and in response to determining that at least one plurality of following times is less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold, commanding, by the controller, the propulsion system of the driven vehicle to decrease the commanded axle torque by a torque adjustment in order to prevent each of the plurality of following times at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations from being less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold.

Techniques are described for vehicle activity information collection and analysis. A vehicle activity information unit in a vehicle generates vehicle activity information including video data that is captured by interior and/or exterior camera(s) on the vehicle. The vehicle activity information can also include sensor data generated by an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, a Global Positioning System module, and/or other sensor(s). The vehicle activity information can also include audio data generated by at least one microphone. In some implementations, at least a portion of the vehicle activity information is collected during a period of time that includes an event (e.g., an accident). The information is stored in data storage with an association between the information and the event, and is processed to generate performance data associated with a driver of the vehicle. The performance data can be presented through a user interface to the driver or other(s).

A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades and/or based on vertical movement that a mower deck is experiencing. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. If the vertical movement or load exceeds a threshold, the ground speed can be reduced. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower. A density map can be created based on monitored load, vertical movement and possibly other characteristics as a mower is cutting a particular area. The density map can be employed by any mower that is subsequently used to cut the same area.

A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades and/or based on vertical movement that a mower deck is experiencing. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. If the vertical movement or load exceeds a threshold, the ground speed can be reduced. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower. A density map can be created based on monitored load, vertical movement and possibly other characteristics as a mower is cutting a particular area. The density map can be employed by any mower that is subsequently used to cut the same area.

Provided is a weight estimation system (S) including: a change amount calculation device (2) which acquires a height of a loading platform (N) before loading a vehicle and a height of the loading platform (N) after loading the vehicle and calculates an amount of change between the heights of the loading platform (N) between before and after the loading; and a loaded weight estimation device (4) which estimates a loaded weight on the basis of a correlation between the amount of change and a loaded weight stored in advance.

A vehicle control apparatus configured to control a driving motor coupled to at least one wheel includes a motor controller, a vehicle speed calculator, and a vehicle speed setter. The motor controller controls the driving motor in a constant speed driving mode. The vehicle speed calculator calculates a first vehicle speed based on a rotation angle of the driving motor. The vehicle speed setter sets, as a driving speed in the constant speed driving mode, a second vehicle speed based on the first vehicle speed and a brake operation amount. The vehicle speed setter sets zero as the second vehicle speed when the brake operation amount exceeds its threshold and the first vehicle speed falls below its threshold, and sets the first vehicle speed as the second vehicle speed when the brake operation amount does not exceed its threshold r the first vehicle speed does not fall below its.