A radar device for detecting a distance between vehicles by the transmission and reception of survey waves is mounted in a vehicle as an object detection means for detecting an object. A cruise control apparatus includes a trajectory calculation means for calculating a moving locus of a preceding vehicle traveling in front of an own vehicle on the basis of the detection result of the radar device, a route prediction means for calculating a predicted route of the vehicle on the basis of the moving locus of the preceding vehicle calculated by the trajectory calculation means, an axial deviation detection means for detecting the axial deviation of the radar device, and an invalidation processing means for invalidating the predicted route calculated by the route prediction means when it is detected that the axial deviation detection means has detected axial deviation of the radar device.

Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a method for navigating a user vehicle may include acquiring, using at least one image capture device, a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the user vehicle; determining from the plurality of images a first lane constraint on a first side of the user vehicle and a second lane constraint on a second side of the user vehicle opposite to the first side of the user vehicle; enabling the user vehicle to pass a target vehicle if the target vehicle is determined to be in a lane different from the lane in which the user vehicle is traveling; and causing the user vehicle to abort the pass before completion of the pass, if the target vehicle is determined to be entering the lane in which the user vehicle is traveling.

Method for controlling a vehicle, comprising: identifying an upcoming curve and determining its properties; determining current vehicle speed, v.sub.v, estimating friction, .sub.e, between a tire of the vehicle and the road; estimating maximum allowable vehicle speed, v.sub.max.sub._.sub.e, when entering the curve based on the properties, speed and friction; if the current vehicle speed is higher than the estimated maximum allowable vehicle speed, determining that a friction measurement is required; if distance, d.sub.v, between the vehicle and a curve entrance is higher than a predetermined threshold distance, d.sub.T, and if a braking action is detected, performing a friction measurement during the braking action to determine current friction, .sub.c; if a distance between the vehicle and the curve entrance is lower than the predetermined threshold distance, performing a friction measurement to determine a current friction; and determining a maximum allowable vehicle speed v.sub.max.sub._.sub.d based on the curve radius, speed and friction.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods avoiding collisions by monitoring the presence and alertness of a person in a vehicle. The alertness of that person may be monitored by identifying actions performed by that person when an automated driving assistant is used in a vehicle. Systems and method consistent with the present disclosure may monitor the alertness of a person that is located in a driving position of a vehicle according to criteria associated with particular individuals or with criteria associated with specific protocols. When a system or method consistent with the present disclosure identifies that a person is not alert, a corrective action may be initiated that reduces likelihood of a collision.

Methods and systems are disclosed for vehicle cruise control smoothness adaptation. An example vehicle includes a GPS receiver for receiving expected road incline data, a camera for determining a half lane width position, and a radar for determining two respective leading vehicle angles of arrival. The vehicle also includes a processor for determining an actual road incline by filtering the expected road incline, half lane width position, and leading vehicle angles of arrival. And the processor is further for modifying a cruise control system based on the actual road incline.

A longitudinal driver assistance system is provided in a motor vehicle. A first detection system identifies a first event which, starting from an actual speed, leads to the specification of an increased target speed at a predefined location-dependent first moment in time, and for identifying a subsequent second event which, starting from the increased target speed, leads to the specification of a target speed that is reduced in relation thereto at a predefined location-dependent second moment in time. A second detection system identifies, in an anticipatory manner, a predefined deceleration potential starting from the increased target speed to the reduced target speed. A functional unit reduces the acceleration to the increased target speed if, otherwise, the subsequent deceleration to the reduced target speed with the predefined deceleration potential cannot be completed at the location-dependent moment in time of the second event.

A method and system for operating a vehicle having a trip information determination device that continuously determines a current position of the vehicle as current trip information, a transceiver that transmits the current trip information and vehicle information to an evaluation station, a driving strategy determination device that captures whether a bend is in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, and, if a bend is captured the driving strategy determination device, an optimum driving strategy, in terms of energy consumption for driving through the bend. The determined driving strategy is transmitted from the evaluation station to the and therefore to the vehicle.

When no diagnostic signal is detected, an activation determination operation unit 15B determines whether to activate a controlled object 16 based on the result of calculation (FSN information) by an FSN computation unit 14 and the vehicle state of the own vehicle input by a vehicle state input unit 13. An activation determination diagnosis unit 15C determines whether the activation determination operation unit 15B has properly performed an activation determination. When it is determined that the activation determination operation unit 15B has properly performed the activation determination, the control of the controlled object 16 based on the activation determination is permitted. When it is determined that the activation determination operation unit 15B has not properly performed the activation determination, the control of the controlled object 16 based on the activation determination is not permitted.

Systems and methods for automated control of vehicle lane change maneuvers are disclosed. Some implementations may include detecting, based on data from a sensor in the first vehicle, one or more other vehicles that are moving in a target lane of the road. Some implementations may include determining, based on the kinematic state of the vehicle and a prediction of motion of the one or more other vehicles in the target lane, estimates of headway in relation to at least one of the one or more other vehicles in the target lane. Some implementations may include determining, based at least in part on the estimates of headway, overtake decisions for the one or more other vehicles traveling in the target lane. Some implementations may include determining a motion plan that will transition the first vehicle from the current lane to the target lane based the overtake decisions.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for assisting driving capable of calculating a speed limit of a vehicle using curvature information of a road and accurately recognizing a traffic sign through this. The apparatus for assisting driving of a host vehicle includes a front sensor mounted to the host vehicle and having a field of view in front of the host vehicle, the front sensor configured to obtain front image data; and a controller including a processor configured to process the front image data. The controller may be configured to detect a speed displayed on a sign based on the front image data, to calculate a limit speed of the host vehicle on a driving road based on the front image data, and to display a sign speed smaller than the limit speed on a display of the host vehicle.