A drive assist apparatus includes an arrival window time calculation unit configured to calculate an arrival window time before the vehicle arrives at a switching completion point, a driving concentration degree estimation unit configured to estimate a driving concentration degree of a driver based on a state of the driver when the arrival window time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, and a stimulation providing unit configured to provide a stimulus to the driver according to the driving concentration degree. In a case where the driving concentration degree is equal to or less than a threshold value set in advance, the stimulation providing unit provides a stimulus to the driver, which is stronger than that in a case where the driving concentration degree is greater than the threshold value, or provides a stronger stimulus to the driver in accordance with reduction in the driving concentration degree.

A drive assist apparatus includes an arrival window time calculation unit configured to calculate an arrival window time before the vehicle arrives at a switching completion point, a driving concentration degree estimation unit configured to estimate a driving concentration degree of a driver based on a state of the driver when the arrival window time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, and a stimulation providing unit configured to provide a stimulus to the driver according to the driving concentration degree. In a case where the driving concentration degree is equal to or less than a threshold value set in advance, the stimulation providing unit provides a stimulus to the driver, which is stronger than that in a case where the driving concentration degree is greater than the threshold value, or provides a stronger stimulus to the driver in accordance with reduction in the driving concentration degree.

A monitoring system for a vehicle can connect with a computing device of a driver of the vehicle. The system can detect that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, and based on detecting that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, the system can receive sensor data from the one or more sensors of the vehicle to monitor an interior of the vehicle. The system may then detect an anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, and in response to detecting the anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, the system can output an alert indicating the anomaly to the computing device of the driver.

A monitoring system for a vehicle can connect with a computing device of a driver of the vehicle. The system can detect that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, and based on detecting that the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, the system can receive sensor data from the one or more sensors of the vehicle to monitor an interior of the vehicle. The system may then detect an anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, and in response to detecting the anomaly within the interior of the vehicle, the system can output an alert indicating the anomaly to the computing device of the driver.

A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. During a hitching maneuver event undertaken by the driver to hitch a trailer hitch of the vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer, and while the driver of the vehicle is maneuvering the vehicle to hitch the vehicle to the trailer, the control outputs video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera for display by the video display screen. At least one overlay overlays the displayed video images to guide the driver during the hitching maneuver. The at least one overlay aids in guiding connection of the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer.

A vehicular trailer hitching assist system includes a rear backup camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and a control disposed in the vehicle. A display device includes a video display screen operable to display video images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. During a hitching maneuver event undertaken by the driver to hitch a trailer hitch of the vehicle to a trailer tongue of a trailer, and while the driver of the vehicle is maneuvering the vehicle to hitch the vehicle to the trailer, the control outputs video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera for display by the video display screen. At least one overlay overlays the displayed video images to guide the driver during the hitching maneuver. The at least one overlay aids in guiding connection of the trailer hitch of the vehicle to the trailer tongue of the trailer.

This invention relates in general to the field of safety devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods for providing advanced warning and risk evasion when hazardous conditions exist. In one embodiment, a vicinity monitoring unit is provided for monitoring, for example, oncoming traffic near a construction zone. In some embodiments, the vicinity monitoring unit may be mounted onto a construction vehicle to monitor nearby traffic and send a warning signal if hazardous conditions exist. In some embodiments, personnel tracking units may be worn by construction workers and the personnel tracking units may be in communication with the vicinity monitoring unit. In some embodiments, a base station is provided for monitoring activities taking place in or near a construction site including monitoring the locations of various personnel and vehicles within the construction site.

Audio-derived information is provided to a vehicle control system of a vehicle by attaching a microphone externally to a vehicle to generate an analog signal in response to sound waves external to the vehicle. An enclosure containing sound-attenuating material mechanically filters low frequency sounds from reaching the microphone transducer. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A vehicle data bus transfers the digital signal to the vehicle control system.

Audio-derived information is provided to a vehicle control system of a vehicle by attaching a microphone externally to a vehicle to generate an analog signal in response to sound waves external to the vehicle. An enclosure containing sound-attenuating material mechanically filters low frequency sounds from reaching the microphone transducer. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A vehicle data bus transfers the digital signal to the vehicle control system.

The audible vehicular warning system is a transportation safety device that is adapted for use with vehicles. The audible vehicular warning system is adapted for use as a collision avoidance device. The audible vehicular warning system monitors the visual signal signaling devices of the vehicle that indicate that: 1) the vehicle is capable of motion in the reverse direction; 2) the driver of the vehicle intends to turn left; and, 3) the driver of the vehicle intends to turn left. Should any of these conditions occur, the audible vehicular warning system generates an audible signal through a plurality of speakers to indicate when one of these three hazard conditions exist. The audible vehicular warning system comprises a logic module and a plurality of speakers.