Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine idle-stop based on upcoming traffic and road conditions. In one example, a method may include receiving data including traffic information and road characteristics immediately ahead of a vehicle from one or more remote sources, and adjusting one or more vehicle thresholds based on the received data. A duration of a prospective engine idle-stop may be estimated based on the received data and an engine idle-stop may be initiated based on the duration of the prospective engine idle-stop and the adjusted one or more vehicle threshold.

An engine idle reduction control apparatus includes a first data acquiring unit, a detecting unit, a first determining unit, a control unit, and a second determining unit. The detecting unit is configured to detect a traffic circle, on the basis of traveling environment data acquired by the first data acquiring unit. The control unit is configured to execute an idle reduction, in a case where the first determining unit determines that a control condition for a pre-stop idle reduction control is satisfied. The second determining unit is configured to determine whether a prohibition condition for the pre-stop idle reduction control is satisfied, in a case where the traffic circle is detected. The control unit is configured to prohibit the idle reduction even in a case where the control condition is determined to be satisfied, on a condition that the prohibition condition is determined to be satisfied.

Methods and systems are provided for a start/stop feature. In one example, a method includes adjusting start/stop conditions in response to a vehicle operator customizing start/stop conditions. The vehicle operator customizes start/stop conditions for a plurality of different driving conditions.

A vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a preceding vehicle information acquiring device for acquiring preceding vehicle information relating to a preceding vehicle, including a parameter relating to a distance between vehicles which becomes greater the wider the distance between a host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and an electronic control unit for controlling the internal combustion engine, in which, the electronic control unit is configured so that when the parameter becomes a first predetermined value or more during the idle reduction mode where the internal combustion engine is automatically made to stop, it makes the internal combustion engine automatically restart and so that if the host vehicle continues stopped even after making the internal combustion engine automatically restart, it again makes the internal combustion engine automatically stop when the preceding vehicle has stopped before the parameter becomes a second predetermined value larger than the first predetermined value.

A motor vehicle stop/start control system for controlling at least a portion of a powertrain of a vehicle, the system being configured to: receive speed information indicative of vehicle speed; and receive brake information indicative that a braking system has been activated to apply brake torque; wherein the control system is further configured to cause an engine of the motor vehicle to be switched off when a first set of predetermined conditions are met, the first set of conditions including the conditions that the brake information indicates that the braking system is active and the speed information indicates that vehicle speed is a below a predetermined engine-off speed, the engine-off speed being determined by the control system at least in part by reference to information received by the control system.

Methods and systems are provided for a start/stop feature. In one example, a method includes adjusting start/stop conditions in response to a vehicle operator customizing start/stop conditions. The vehicle operator customizes start/stop conditions for a plurality of different driving conditions.

When a vehicle is in a traveling state having a low necessity to quickly increase required traveling torque, high-rotational-speed engine starting unit that reduces an emission amount of particulate matter emitted during engine starting starts the engine. Since quick torque response is not required when the vehicle is in the traveling state having the low necessity to quickly increase the required traveling torque, the high-rotational-speed engine starting unit starts the engine, so that increase of the emission amount of particulate matter emitted during engine starting can be curbed.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an artificial intelligence apparatus for controlling an auto stop function, including: an input unit configured to receive at least one of image information or sound information with respect to a periphery of a vehicle; a communication unit configured to receive data from an external device; a storage unit configured to store a control model for the auto stop function; and a processor configured to: acquire input data with respect to traffic information through at least one of the input unit or the communication unit, acquire base data used for determining a control of the auto stop function from the input data, determine a control mode for the auto stop function by using the base data and the control model for the auto stop function, and control the auto stop function according to the determined control mode, wherein the control mode is one of an activation mode which activates the auto stop function or a deactivation mode which deactivates the auto stop function.

An electronic control unit is a control device for controlling a vehicle including a vehicle speed sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to identify a section from start to stop of the vehicle using a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor, determine whether the number of times of a low-speed section is more than a prescribed number of times, the low-speed section being the identified section where a representative value of the vehicle speed is less than a prescribed speed, and determine that the vehicle is in a specific situation where low-speed travel is inevitable, when it is determined that the number of times of the low-speed section is more than the prescribed number of times.

A method of vehicular control includes providing a camera and a control at a vehicle. Image data captured by the camera is processed at the control to determine presence of a stopping area ahead of the vehicle and being approached by the vehicle as the vehicle is maneuvered along the road. Responsive to determination of presence of the stopping area, and responsive to determination that the driver releases the accelerator pedal of the vehicle, the operating capacity of the vehicle engine is reduced so that the engine operates at reduced capacity as the vehicle moves toward and stops, via the driver applying the brake pedal of the vehicle, at the determined stopping area. After stopping the vehicle, the control determines if a hazard is present in the field of view of the camera and restores the operating capacity of the engine its normal operating capacity if no hazard is present.