A method performed by a control unit for handling safe stop mode of a vehicle. The control unit obtains an activation request for activating the safe stop mode. When the activation request has been obtained, the control unit verifies that all safety conditions of the vehicle are fulfilled. The control unit activates the safe stop mode when the activation request has been obtained and when all safety conditions are fulfilled. The control unit triggers at least one light source to be turned on when all safety conditions are fulfilled. After the safe stop mode has been activated, the control unit obtains an inactivation request for inactivating the safe stop mode of the vehicle. The control unit inactivates the safe stop mode of the vehicle when the inactivation request has been obtained.

A method for managing energy consumption in a vehicle along a first route from a source location to a first target destination includes estimating an energy consumption, E.sub.PC, of the vehicle travelling from the source location to the first target destination along the first route. In case the amount of energy, E.sub.TOTAL, available in the vehicle is not on a level above E.sub.C that ensures arrival of the vehicle at the first target destination according to a first determined level of certainty, an estimated energy consumption, E.sub.AUX, of each auxiliary system on-board the vehicle for the first route, and an energy utilization information, EU.sub.INFO, indicating a priority level of each auxiliary system on-board the vehicle for the first route is obtained. An energy consumption adaption sequence of the auxiliary systems is determined for the first route based on the obtained E.sub.AUX and EU.sub.INFO of each auxiliary system such that E.sub.TOTAL is maintained on a level above E.sub.PC that ensures arrival of the vehicle at the first target destination according to a second determined level of certainty.

Various aspects of a system and method for driving assistance along a path are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, a unique identifier is received from a communication device at an electronic control unit (ECU) of a first vehicle. The unique identifier is received when the first vehicle has reached a first location along a first portion of the path. A communication channel is established between the first vehicle and the communication device based on the received unique identifier. Data associated with a second portion of the path is received by the ECU from the communication device based on the established communication channel. Alert information associated with the second portion of the path is generated by the ECU based on the received data.

Various aspects of a system and method for driving assistance along a path are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, a unique identifier is received from a communication device at an electronic control unit (ECU) of a first vehicle. The unique identifier is received when the first vehicle has reached a first location along a first portion of the path. A communication channel is established between the first vehicle and the communication device based on the received unique identifier. Data associated with a second portion of the path is received by the ECU from the communication device based on the established communication channel. Alert information associated with the second portion of the path is generated by the ECU based on the received data.

A vehicle control system executing a voice control system for facilitating voice-based dialog with a driver to enable the driver or autonomous vehicle to control certain operational aspects of an autonomous vehicle is provided. Using environmental and sensor input, the vehicle control system can select optimal routes for operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode or choose a preferred operational mode. Occupants of the autonomous vehicle can change a destination, route or driving mode by engaging with the vehicle control system in a dialog enabled by the voice control system.

A vehicle control system executing a voice control system for facilitating voice-based dialog with a driver to enable the driver or autonomous vehicle to control certain operational aspects of an autonomous vehicle is provided. Using environmental and sensor input, the vehicle control system can select optimal routes for operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode or choose a preferred operational mode. Occupants of the autonomous vehicle can change a destination, route or driving mode by engaging with the vehicle control system in a dialog enabled by the voice control system.

Provided is an acceleration suppression apparatus having improved practicality. The acceleration suppression apparatus includes: an in-vehicle sensor (20) configured to acquire information relating to a position of an own vehicle and information relating to an operation of an operating element of the own vehicle to output the acquired information; and a parking assist ECU (10) configured to execute, based on the information acquired from the in-vehicle sensor (20), acceleration suppression control for suppressing acceleration of the own vehicle by controlling at least one of a drive device (30) or a braking device (40) mounted on the own vehicle. The parking assist ECU (10) is configured to execute the acceleration suppression control when, in a situation in which the own vehicle is positioned in a predetermined region including a parking space, a traveling mode of the own vehicle matches a predetermined mode defined in advance as a traveling mode when the own vehicle is being parked in the parking space.

Provided is an acceleration suppression apparatus having improved practicality. The acceleration suppression apparatus includes: an in-vehicle sensor (20) configured to acquire information relating to a position of an own vehicle and information relating to an operation of an operating element of the own vehicle to output the acquired information; and a parking assist ECU (10) configured to execute, based on the information acquired from the in-vehicle sensor (20), acceleration suppression control for suppressing acceleration of the own vehicle by controlling at least one of a drive device (30) or a braking device (40) mounted on the own vehicle. The parking assist ECU (10) is configured to execute the acceleration suppression control when, in a situation in which the own vehicle is positioned in a predetermined region including a parking space, a traveling mode of the own vehicle matches a predetermined mode defined in advance as a traveling mode when the own vehicle is being parked in the parking space.

A vehicle driving support apparatus includes a forward environment recognizing device configured to recognize a traveling environment forward of a vehicle, a control device configured to perform adaptive cruise control and active lane keep centering control based on the recognized traveling environment, an electric power steering device configured to control a turning angle of wheels in a ganged manner in accordance with a steering angle received from a steering handle, and a driver monitoring system configured to detect changes in biological information of a driver who drives the vehicle. When the driver monitoring system detects a drop in alertness of the driver, the control device is configured to perform the adaptive cruise control and the active lane keep centering control and execute a steering handle idle mode that stops the electric power steering device from controlling the turning angle in the ganged manner in accordance with the steering angle.

A robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an authentication interface for authenticating a user's boarding of the robot using authentication information of the user, a position detector for detecting a position of the robot in a space, a processor for identifying a first section corresponding to the detected position among at least one section in the space, recognizing at least one driving mode for the first section among a plurality of driving modes with different driving speeds, setting one of the recognized at least one driving mode as a driving mode for the first section based on the authentication information, and controlling driving of the robot based on the set driving mode, and a display for outputting information on the set driving mode.