Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system comprising a speed control system, the speed control system being configured automatically to attempt to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by causing a first vehicle speed value determined according to a first predetermined method to become or be maintained substantially equal to the predetermined target speed value at least in part by causing application of positive drive torque to one or more wheels by means of a powertrain, wherein the speed control system is configured to impose a constraint on the amount of driving torque that may be demanded of the powertrain in dependence on the target speed value and a second vehicle speed value determined according to a second predetermined method, said a second predetermined method being based on the mean speed of the driven wheels of the vehicle.

A vehicle behavior control device for controlling a vehicle equipped with a steering apparatus comprises: a PCM operable to acquire a steering speed in the steering apparatus, and, when the steering speed becomes equal to or greater than a given threshold (T.sub.S1) which is greater than 0, to reduce a driving force for the vehicle according to the steering speed, wherein the steering apparatus comprises a steering shaft coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable together with the steering wheel, wherein the steering shaft has a torsion bar whose torsional rigidity about a rotational axis of the steering shaft is less than a remaining portion of the steering shaft. The steering speed acquisition section is configured to acquire the steering speed of the steering apparatus at a position on the side of the front road wheels with respect to the low rigidity portion.

A vehicle behavior control device for controlling a vehicle equipped with a steering apparatus comprises: a PCM operable to acquire a steering speed in the steering apparatus, and, when the steering speed becomes equal to or greater than a given threshold (T.sub.S1) which is greater than 0, to reduce a driving force for the vehicle according to the steering speed, wherein the steering apparatus comprises a steering shaft coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable together with the steering wheel, wherein the steering shaft has a torsion bar whose torsional rigidity about a rotational axis of the steering shaft is less than a remaining portion of the steering shaft. The steering speed acquisition section is configured to acquire the steering speed of the steering apparatus at a position on the side of the front road wheels with respect to the low rigidity portion.

A method of operating a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, includes the steps of receiving a message from roadside infrastructure via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include the steps of receiving a message from another vehicle via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system.

A method of operating a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, includes the steps of receiving a message from roadside infrastructure via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include the steps of receiving a message from another vehicle via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system.

Control system and method which is adapted for use in a motor vehicle and intended to effect an at least semi-autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle by means of assigned actuators on the basis of environmental data which are obtained from one or more environment sensors assigned to the motor vehicle, and wherein the control system is adapted and intended to detect a failure of a conventional steering system of the motor vehicle and attempt a change of direction of the vehicle, which corresponds to a desired steering angle, from current driving parameters by means of matched acceleration and/or deceleration interventions at individual wheel drives or wheel brakes, respectively, of the vehicle.

Control system and method which is adapted for use in a motor vehicle and intended to effect an at least semi-autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle by means of assigned actuators on the basis of environmental data which are obtained from one or more environment sensors assigned to the motor vehicle, and wherein the control system is adapted and intended to detect a failure of a conventional steering system of the motor vehicle and attempt a change of direction of the vehicle, which corresponds to a desired steering angle, from current driving parameters by means of matched acceleration and/or deceleration interventions at individual wheel drives or wheel brakes, respectively, of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, motion planning and control data is received, where the motion planning and control data indicates that an autonomous vehicle is to move from a first point to a second point of a path within a predetermined route. In response to the motion planning and control data, the path from the first point to the second point is segmented into multiple path segments. For each of the path segments, one of predetermined driving scenes is identified that matches motion characteristics of the corresponding path segment. The motion planning and control data associated with the path segments is modified based on predetermined motion settings of the path segments. The autonomous vehicle is driven through the path segments of the path based on the modified motion planning and control data.

In one embodiment, motion planning and control data is received, where the motion planning and control data indicates that an autonomous vehicle is to move from a first point to a second point of a path within a predetermined route. In response to the motion planning and control data, the path from the first point to the second point is segmented into multiple path segments. For each of the path segments, one of predetermined driving scenes is identified that matches motion characteristics of the corresponding path segment. The motion planning and control data associated with the path segments is modified based on predetermined motion settings of the path segments. The autonomous vehicle is driven through the path segments of the path based on the modified motion planning and control data.

Provided is an obstacle avoidance apparatus that can specify a distance between a subject vehicle and an obstacle when making the subject vehicle avoid the obstacle. An obstacle avoidance apparatus includes: an obstacle movement predictor that predicts movement of the obstacle; and a constraint generator that establishes a constraint on a state quantity or a control input of the subject vehicle by determining whether to steer right or left around the obstacle and defining a no-entry zone for preventing the subject vehicle from colliding with the obstacle. The constraint generator incorporates, into the no-entry zone, an area to the left of the obstacle when determining to steer right around the obstacle, and incorporates, into the no-entry zone, an area to the right of the obstacle when determining to steer left around the obstacle.