The invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a method to determine the operation of a vehicle and provide monitoring of the same and the condition of a storage area capable of being transported as part of the vehicle. The storage area includes one or more detection devices provided in the same and which are in communication with the operator of the vehicle and/or external personnel or organisations so as to detect a change in condition of the vehicle and in particular if the change exceeds predetermined parameters.

The invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a method to determine the operation of a vehicle and provide monitoring of the same and the condition of a storage area capable of being transported as part of the vehicle. The storage area includes one or more detection devices provided in the same and which are in communication with the operator of the vehicle and/or external personnel or organisations so as to detect a change in condition of the vehicle and in particular if the change exceeds predetermined parameters.

An autonomous vehicle control system is provided. The control system may include a plurality of cameras to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of a vehicle; and at least one processing device configured to: recognize a curve to be navigated based on map data and vehicle position information; determine an initial target velocity for the vehicle based on at least one characteristic of the curve as reflected in the map data; adjust a velocity of the vehicle to the initial target velocity; determine, based on the plurality of images, observed characteristics of the curve; determine an updated target velocity based on the observed characteristics of the curve; and adjust the velocity of the vehicle to the updated target velocity.

An autonomous vehicle control system is provided. The control system may include a plurality of cameras to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of a vehicle; and at least one processing device configured to: recognize a curve to be navigated based on map data and vehicle position information; determine an initial target velocity for the vehicle based on at least one characteristic of the curve as reflected in the map data; adjust a velocity of the vehicle to the initial target velocity; determine, based on the plurality of images, observed characteristics of the curve; determine an updated target velocity based on the observed characteristics of the curve; and adjust the velocity of the vehicle to the updated target velocity.

A neural network method, comprising: modeling an environment; implementing a policy based on the modeled environment, to perform an action by an agent within the environment, having at least one estimated dynamic parameter; receiving an observation and a temporally-associated cost or reward based on operation of the agent in the environment controlled according to the policy; and updating the policy, dependent on the received observation and the temporally-associated cost or reward, to improve the policy to optimize an expected future cumulative cost or reward. The policy may represent a set of parameters defining an artificial neural network having a plurality of hierarchical layers and having at least one layer which receives inputs representing aspects of the received observation indirectly from other neurons, and produce outputs to other neurons which indirectly implement the policy, the plurality of hierarchical layers being trained according to respectfully distinct training criteria.

To provide stopping assistance, the disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, in which a stopping point for the motor vehicle is determined using a sensor device of the motor vehicle. In the method, the motor vehicle determines a need to stop at the stopping point and initiates stopping of the motor vehicle at the stopping point when the need is present. If the need is absent, a control device of the motor vehicle performs a movement of the motor vehicle or issues a message characterizing the absence of the need to a driver of the motor vehicle. The disclosure further relates to a motor vehicle.

To provide stopping assistance, the disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, in which a stopping point for the motor vehicle is determined using a sensor device of the motor vehicle. In the method, the motor vehicle determines a need to stop at the stopping point and initiates stopping of the motor vehicle at the stopping point when the need is present. If the need is absent, a control device of the motor vehicle performs a movement of the motor vehicle or issues a message characterizing the absence of the need to a driver of the motor vehicle. The disclosure further relates to a motor vehicle.

The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. The method includes the steps of receiving Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle is determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data in accordance with a risk model. If the first risk satisfies a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode if the second risk satisfies a second criterion.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for monitoring a dedicated roadway the runs in parallel to a railroad. In some implementations, a system includes a central server, an interface, and sensors. The interface receives data from a railroad system that manages the railroad parallel to the dedicated roadway. The sensors are positioned in a fixed location relative to the dedicated roadway. Each sensor can detect vehicles in a first field of view on the dedicated roadway. For each detected vehicle, each sensor can generate sensor data based on the detected vehicle in the dedicated roadway and the data received at the interface. Each sensor can generate observational data and instruct the detected vehicle to switch to an enhanced processing mode. Each sensor can determine an action for the detected vehicle to take based on the generated observational data.

A method for synchronizing devices in a vehicle may make use of the Controller Area Network (CAN) communication bus. A bus interface of each of two or more devices coupled to the bus may be configured to accept a same message broadcast via the communication bus, in which the message has a specific message identification (ID) header. A message may be received from the communication bus that has the specific message ID simultaneously by each of the two or more devices. Operation of the two or more devices may be synchronized by triggering a task on each of the two or more devices in response to receiving the message having the specific message ID.