Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a housing. A column gear is positioned within the housing and adapted to be coupled to a steering column, and the column gear has a first diameter, rotates about a first axis, and has teeth along its perimeter. A steering wheel gear is positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the column gear and adapted to be coupled to a steering wheel; the steering wheel gear has a second diameter, rotates about a stationary hub having a second axis, and has teeth along its perimeter. A transfer gear is positioned within the housing. The transfer gear rotates about a third axis, has teeth along its perimeter, and is positioned so that the teeth of the transfer gear engage the teeth of the column gear and the teeth of the steering wheel gear.

A remote driving device configured to remotely operate a vehicle includes a remote operation device, a reaction force unit, a receiver, and a processor. The remote operation device is operated by an operator in order to remotely operate the vehicle. The reaction force unit is configured to generate an operation reaction force to be applied to the remote operation device. The receiver is configured to receive a parameter affecting vehicle characteristics of the vehicle from the vehicle. The processor is configured to control the reaction force unit so as to generate a magnitude of the operation reaction force according to the received parameter.

The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive user interface and control input mechanism for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer. The control input mechanism uses the tilt and heading of the mobile device to provide a propulsion command and a steering curvature command.

An integrated automated robotic test system for automated driving systems is disclosed, which is operable to provide an automated testing system for coordinated robotic control of automobiles equipped with automation functions (i.e., test vehicles) and unmanned target robots with which test vehicles may safely collide. The system may include a system for controlling a vehicle that includes a brake actuator, a throttle actuator, and a steering actuator. The brake actuator is controlled by a brake motor and configured to press and release a brake pedal of the vehicle. The throttle actuator is controlled by a throttle motor and configured to press and release a gas pedal of the vehicle. The steering actuator is configured to control a steering wheel of the vehicle. The steering actuator includes a steering motor configured to attach to the steering wheel and a reaction stand configured to support the steering motor.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist. An example key fob for a vehicle includes buttons including a lock button, an unlock button, and a trigger button. The example key fob also includes an antenna and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a lock signal responsive to detecting the lock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, an unlock signal responsive to detecting the unlock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote-start signal responsive to detecting a remote-start combination of the buttons is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote park-assist (RePA) signal to initiate RePA of the vehicle responsive to detecting a RePA combination of the buttons is pressed.

Technologies and techniques for operating a backup assistance system for a vehicle, wherein the backup assistance system enables travel in reverse along a previously travelled trajectory, wherein a maximum distance for the reverse travel along the previously travelled trajectory is determined and output using a control unit on the basis of an expected error for the reverse travel along the previously travelled trajectory, in which the expected error exceeds a predefined error threshold value.

An apparatus for remotely controlling an exit mode in a vehicle includes a driver detector that detects a location of a driver, an obstacle detector that detects an obstacle located around the vehicle, and a controller that sets an exit mode of a remotely started vehicle based on the location of the driver, detected by the driver detector, and the location of the obstacle, detected by the obstacle detector.

A system and method for a vehicle including a communication gateway in a vehicle configured to establish a wireless communication connection with a portable device; a plurality of object sensors that detects objects surrounding the vehicle; a remote park assist system configured to (i) identify at least one parking space based on data received from the plurality of object sensors; (iv) determine a movement trajectory for the vehicle; (v) transmit a vehicle maneuver request to the portable device; (vi) receive a plurality of responses from the portable device in response to transmitting the vehicle maneuver request; and (vii) maneuver the vehicle based on the plurality of object sensors, the plurality of responses, and the movement trajectory; and the portable device, in response to receiving a request from the remote park assist system, is configured to transmit the plurality of responses.

A system and method for a vehicle including a communication gateway in a vehicle configured to establish a wireless communication connection with a portable device; a plurality of object sensors that detects objects surrounding the vehicle; a remote park assist system configured to (i) identify at least one parking space based on data received from the plurality of object sensors; (iv) determine a movement trajectory for the vehicle; (v) transmit a vehicle maneuver request to the portable device; (vi) receive a plurality of responses from the portable device in response to transmitting the vehicle maneuver request; and (vii) maneuver the vehicle based on the plurality of object sensors, the plurality of responses, and the movement trajectory; and the portable device, in response to receiving a request from the remote park assist system, is configured to transmit the plurality of responses.

The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.