A vehicle control system that allows a vehicle to travel easily and smoothly on a slippery road, a bumpy road, and a narrow road. A controller of the vehicle control system comprises: a running condition determiner that determines whether the vehicle travels under the particular condition; a control mode selector that selects one of vehicle speed control modes; and a driving force controller that controls a driving force such that an actual vehicle speed is adjusted to a target vehicle sped based on the selected vehicle speed control mode.

Systems and methods for detecting a convenient time to play an audible announcement. The techniques described herein can be implemented for audible announcements in various settings, including, for example, audible announcements in an autonomous vehicle and audible announcements from a mapping service on a mobile device. In an autonomous vehicle, interior microphones can be used to detect voices within the vehicle and identify pauses in conversation. Audible notifications and announcements within the autonomous vehicle can then be made during the pauses.

Systems and methods for detecting a convenient time to play an audible announcement. The techniques described herein can be implemented for audible announcements in various settings, including, for example, audible announcements in an autonomous vehicle and audible announcements from a mapping service on a mobile device. In an autonomous vehicle, interior microphones can be used to detect voices within the vehicle and identify pauses in conversation. Audible notifications and announcements within the autonomous vehicle can then be made during the pauses.

The inventive subject matter provides devices and methods for improving driving safety using information obtained from images taken by a camera in a device. Among other things, contemplated devices and methods can produce alarms when it appear from rates of speed and acceleration/deceleration, that a vehicle will likely go through a red light, or fail to stop or sufficiently slow down at a stop sign. A significant feature of preferred devices and methods is that they are not dependent on WI-FI, cellular, satellite and radio signals, or any other external data transmission, and are not even dependent on speed, acceleration, or other information native to the vehicle.

The inventive subject matter provides devices and methods for improving driving safety using information obtained from images taken by a camera in a device. Among other things, contemplated devices and methods can produce alarms when it appear from rates of speed and acceleration/deceleration, that a vehicle will likely go through a red light, or fail to stop or sufficiently slow down at a stop sign. A significant feature of preferred devices and methods is that they are not dependent on WI-FI, cellular, satellite and radio signals, or any other external data transmission, and are not even dependent on speed, acceleration, or other information native to the vehicle.

A parking assistance apparatus includes a first sensor configured to sense a first environment corresponding to a first distance around a vehicle; a second sensor configured to sense a second environment corresponding to a second distance around the vehicle that is greater than the first distance; and a display configured to display a graphic image. The parking assistance apparatus also includes at least one processor configured to: acquire first information regarding the first environment around the vehicle and second information regarding the second environment around the vehicle; detect an available parking space based on the first information and based on the second information; and based on an available parking space being detected outside of the first environment, control the display to display information regarding the available parking space.

A wheel bolt torque monitoring system for a vehicle includes a torque sensor disposed at each bolt that is used to mount a wheel at a wheel mount of a vehicle. A transmitting device is disposed at the wheel mount of the vehicle, and the transmitting device receives data from the torque sensors at the wheel mounted at the wheel mount. The transmitting device transmits data to a control unit, which processes data received from the transmitting device to determine when a torque at a bolt is below a threshold torque level. Responsive to the control unit determining that a torque at a bolt is below the threshold torque level, the control unit generates an alert.

A wheel bolt torque monitoring system for a vehicle includes a torque sensor disposed at each bolt that is used to mount a wheel at a wheel mount of a vehicle. A transmitting device is disposed at the wheel mount of the vehicle, and the transmitting device receives data from the torque sensors at the wheel mounted at the wheel mount. The transmitting device transmits data to a control unit, which processes data received from the transmitting device to determine when a torque at a bolt is below a threshold torque level. Responsive to the control unit determining that a torque at a bolt is below the threshold torque level, the control unit generates an alert.

A method for assembling a vehicular camera includes providing a front camera housing, providing a rear camera housing, and providing a PCB. The rear camera housing includes a coaxial electrical connector and the PCB has inner and outer electrically conductive traces. The coaxial electrical includes inner and outer electrically conductive terminals. The rear camera housing is moved toward engagement with the front camera housing so that the terminals contact the traces. The rear camera housing is attached at the front camera housing so that the terminals remain in contact with the traces. After the rear camera housing is attached at the front camera housing, the terminals are in electrical connection with the traces at the PCB. The coaxial electrical connector includes a cable connecting end that is opposite the terminals and that is configured to electrically connect to a coaxial connector of a coaxial cable of a vehicle.

An energy storage system for vehicles is provided which is formed by a battery and a compartment for its accommodation which allows the insertion and removal of batteries and their connection to the electrical system of the vehicle with ease, quickly and at a low cost, both manually and based on auxiliary tools with different degrees of automation; the battery includes electrical connection elements and communication connection elements and is inserted in or removed from the compartment with a horizontal movement. The compartment includes electrical connection elements and communication connection elements complementary to those of the battery and allows cooling the battery; in this way, an electric vehicle can incorporate batteries as needed, adjusting its cost to its real use and reducing the waiting times due to charging its energy storage.