A surroundings modeling device for a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, includes a separating device configured to separate a total vehicle surroundings model into a static vehicle surroundings model based on a first look-ahead distance and a dynamic vehicle surroundings model based on a second look-ahead distance. A first real-time computing device is configured to calculate the dynamic vehicle surroundings model on the basis of the first look-ahead distance within a maximum response time. A second real-time computing device is configured to calculate the static vehicle surroundings model on the basis of the second look-ahead distance with a characteristic response time. A situation analysis device is configured to change the separation process on the basis of an analysis of the total vehicle surroundings model.

A parking assistance control apparatus for assisting parking a vehicle including a charging port that is connectable to electrical supply equipment via a charging cable. In the apparatus, a charging port recognizer is configured to recognize a mounting location of the charging port on the vehicle. An electrical supply equipment recognizer is configured to recognize an installation location of the electrical supply equipment. A parking assistance controller is configured to, based on the mounting location of the charging port on the vehicle and the installation location of the electrical supply equipment, determine a parking manner to park the vehicle, and based on the determined parking manner, perform parking assistance control.

Methods and systems are provided for preparing an energy receiving apparatus of a vehicle for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage prior to a vehicle reaching an energy replenishment station for receiving the increase. In one example, a method comprises via a controller, requesting a confirmation as to whether a vehicle operator intends to stop at a particular energy replenishment station, and when confirmation is received, commanding one or more actions to prepare the energy receiving apparatus for accepting the energy level increase. In this way, a time-frame for accepting the energy level increase may be reduced as compared to situations where the one or more actions are not undertaken.

A driver assist design analysis system includes a processing system and a database that stores vehicle data, vehicle operational data, vehicle accident data, and environmental data related to the configuration and operation of a plurality of vehicles with driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system also includes one or more analysis engines that execute on the processing system to determine one or more driving anomalies (e.g., accidents or poor driving operation) based on the vehicle operational data, and that correlate or determine a statistical relationship between the driving anomalies and the operation of the driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system then determines an effectiveness of operation of one or more of the driver assist systems or features based on the statistical relationship to determine a potential design flaw in the driver assist systems or features, and the driver assist design analysis system notifies a user or receiver of the potential design flaw.

A system includes an acquisition unit that acquires an operation amount or a duration count, and a switching unit that switches a driving state. The switching unit switches the driving state to the cooperative driving state when the operation amount is equal to or greater than an intervention threshold and less than a start threshold or the duration count is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold during the autonomous driving state, switches the driving state to the autonomous driving state when the operation amount is less than the intervention threshold or the duration count is less than the first threshold during the cooperative driving state, and switches the driving state to the manual driving state when the operation amount is equal to or greater than the start threshold or the duration count is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

A platoon control system includes a platoon control in communication with a plurality of individual platoon vehicle controls associated with respective platoon vehicles of a platoon of vehicles traveling along a road. Responsive to a lane change instruction wirelessly communicated by the platoon control, the individual platoon vehicle control of a last platoon vehicle controls the last platoon vehicle to maneuver the last platoon vehicle from an initial traffic lane to another traffic lane. After maneuvering the last platoon vehicle to enter the other traffic lane, the individual platoon vehicle control of the last platoon vehicle controls the last platoon vehicle to allow the individual platoon vehicle controls of the other platoon vehicles to maneuver the other platoon vehicles to enter the other traffic lane ahead of the last platoon vehicle.

Disclosed embodiments include a method and apparatus for controlling system energy saving in an unmanned vehicle. In some embodiments, the method comprises: determining, via a sensing device and a high-precision map, whether the unmanned vehicle is in a stop-and-wait state; positioning the unmanned vehicle system in a standby state if the unmanned vehicle is in the stop-and-wait state. Some embodiments lower wear and loss of the unmanned vehicle system, improve the continued travel capacity of the unmanned vehicle and make the design of the unmanned vehicle more green and environment-friendly.

A vehicle tracker (102) and a method for monitoring vehicle's activity are described. The vehicle tracker (102) has a connection port (216) which provides plug and play functionality. The vehicle tracker (102) further has a plurality of sensors (504) for sensing various parameters associated with the vehicle. The sensing results in generation of current parameter values (518) which are processed in relative to plurality of parameter threshold values (520). The parameter threshold values (520) define minimum and maximum range of the parameters. Based on the processing, the vehicle tracker (102) determines anomalies in the operation of the vehicle. Once the anomaly is detected, the vehicle tracker (102) generates an alert and sends it to the concerned person or user.

A fuel economy and comfort control apparatus is provided for a motor vehicle. That apparatus includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller is configured to determine and advise an operator of the motor vehicle of the most fuel efficient mode of operating a climate control system of the motor vehicle to maintain occupant comfort while optimizing fuel efficient operation of the motor vehicle. A related method is also disclosed.

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies are provided. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating or adjusting an insurance policy is provided. With an insurance customer's permission, data regarding several factors associated with the customer may be received via wireless communication from their mobile device, vehicle controller, or smart home controller. The data may be related to (i) the customer's home, (ii) an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, and/or (iii) home and vehicle features, maintenance history, and/or repairs performed to each over time. Risk levels may be determined using the data received. Aspects of one or more insurance policies (auto, home, life, etc.) may be adjusted based upon the risk levels. An updated insurance discount may be transmitted to the customer's mobile device via wireless communication for their review and approval. As a result, insurance discounts may be provided to risk averse insurance customers.