The disclosure is generally directed to providing a relaxation regimen to an occupant of a vehicle. In one example method, a processor evaluates a physiological condition of the occupant. The physiological condition can be a heart rate, hear-rate variability, a breathing rate, and/or a blood oxygen level. The processor also identifies an opportune time to offer the relaxation regimen. The relaxation regimen may be offered based on evaluating the physiological condition of the occupant and on identifying the opportune time. Furthermore, the relaxation regimen may be recommended based on the customer preference or usage patterns and the opportune time. The opportune time can be when the vehicle is moving in a cruising mode of operation, is in a stopped or parked state, or is moving in stop-and-go traffic, or location. In another example method, a processor may offer the relaxation regime based on a movement status of the vehicle.

The disclosure is generally directed to providing a relaxation regimen to an occupant of a vehicle. In one example method, a processor evaluates a physiological condition of the occupant. The physiological condition can be a heart rate, hear-rate variability, a breathing rate, and/or a blood oxygen level. The processor also identifies an opportune time to offer the relaxation regimen. The relaxation regimen may be offered based on evaluating the physiological condition of the occupant and on identifying the opportune time. Furthermore, the relaxation regimen may be recommended based on the customer preference or usage patterns and the opportune time. The opportune time can be when the vehicle is moving in a cruising mode of operation, is in a stopped or parked state, or is moving in stop-and-go traffic, or location. In another example method, a processor may offer the relaxation regime based on a movement status of the vehicle.

A monitoring device comprises a processor configured to estimate whether or not a non-stimulating environment has appeared in front of a driver which may cause the driver to have a lower alertness level or to engage in unfocused driving, based on multiple images taken of an environment ahead of a vehicle across a predetermined time period, and to act on the driver via a notification unit to increase a level of contribution to driving when the non-stimulating environment has appeared ahead.

A monitoring device comprises a processor configured to estimate whether or not a non-stimulating environment has appeared in front of a driver which may cause the driver to have a lower alertness level or to engage in unfocused driving, based on multiple images taken of an environment ahead of a vehicle across a predetermined time period, and to act on the driver via a notification unit to increase a level of contribution to driving when the non-stimulating environment has appeared ahead.

The present invention discloses an automotive instrument cluster with a continuous LED bar graph. The automotive instrument includes a base, LED light sources placed on the base, LED compartments resulting from mounting plate separating plurality of LED lights from each other, an applique covering the top surfaces of the LED compartments wherein the top surface of the applique is perceived by a user, and the bottom surface of the applique covers the LED compartments from inside. The mounting plate is designed in a manner that the inner walls of subsequent LED compartments maintain a predetermined gap with bottom surface of the applique to enable the light to pass to the adjacent LED compartment.

The present invention discloses an automotive instrument cluster with a continuous LED bar graph. The automotive instrument includes a base, LED light sources placed on the base, LED compartments resulting from mounting plate separating plurality of LED lights from each other, an applique covering the top surfaces of the LED compartments wherein the top surface of the applique is perceived by a user, and the bottom surface of the applique covers the LED compartments from inside. The mounting plate is designed in a manner that the inner walls of subsequent LED compartments maintain a predetermined gap with bottom surface of the applique to enable the light to pass to the adjacent LED compartment.

Disclosed is a sound design method for overcoming sense of difference when there is no virtual sound while an auto cruise control is activated. The method includes determining whether an accelerator pedal is actuated; upon determining that the accelerator pedal is not actuated, determining whether an auto cruise control system is operating; upon determining whether the auto cruise control system is operating, classifying a vehicle speed-based order component from a driving sound; and reproducing a speed sensitive virtual sound based on the classified vehicle speed-based order component.

A sensor protection device is configured to protect an environmental sensor of a vehicle. The sensor protection device includes a protector that is disposed to face the environmental sensor and configured to be movable with respect to the environmental sensor and includes a movement mechanism configured to provide power to the protector. The movement mechanism has a structure to move the protector.

A sensor protection device is configured to protect an environmental sensor of a vehicle. The sensor protection device includes a protector that is disposed to face the environmental sensor and configured to be movable with respect to the environmental sensor and includes a movement mechanism configured to provide power to the protector. The movement mechanism has a structure to move the protector.

A braking control system and method for an autonomous vehicle, may transmit information on surrounding vehicles monitored by autonomous traveling-related sensors of each vehicle while the autonomous vehicles are traveling to the cloud, and transmit a braking induction signal to a specific vehicle when the cloud determines that a distance with a leading vehicle of the specific vehicle has reached a reference distance or less at which braking is required so that the specific vehicle may be braked, checking occurrence of an error or a failure of autonomous traveling-related sensors of a specific vehicle, and easily preventing the safety accidents such as collision with the leading vehicle.