A control device to be applied to a vehicle equipped with an imaging device and a safety device is configured to, based on moving-object detection information detected from images captured by the imaging device, actuate the safety device for a moving object. In the control device, a control unit is configured to, in response to any of certain information that it is certain that the object is a moving object and uncertain information indicating that it is not certain whether the object is a moving object being acquired as moving-object detection information, actuate the safety device based on a position of the object subjected to detection with the certain information or the uncertain information. An actuation region setting unit is configured to, when the moving-object detection information is the uncertain information, narrow an actuation region as compared to when the moving-object detection information is the certain information.

A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.

A vehicle control system can determine a location and/or vector of a second vehicle by analyzing sounds received from the second vehicle. The vehicle control system can automatically configure the instrument display to indicate the location of the second vehicle to the vehicle operator. The vehicle control system can also provide a warning of an approaching emergency vehicle (law enforcement, medical, fire) to the vehicle operator. For example, the vehicle control system may generate and provide an alert that includes information related to traffic actions to take to avoid, or make way for, the approaching emergency vehicle.

A system and method for coordination between at least two participating vehicles for peer-to-peer trade of the vehicles' positions including a local device on the participating vehicle that measures and transmits at least one output signal; a computing device configured to receive the at least one output signal from the device and display the at least one output signal in real-time; a graphical user interface on the computing device that allows a system administrator to view and customize options for monitoring the at least one output signal; and a hosted server that initiates a peer-to-peer trade of the participating vehicle's position based on determination of a multitude of factors, wherein the local device and the computing device are communicatively connected to each other via a communications network, and wherein the participating vehicle is human-driven, partially-automated, or fully-automated.

A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensors to detect other vehicles, and computing environments programmed to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment devices are provided to enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.

Apparatus for determining the ground speed of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of sensing systems each of which is configured to provide a respective data source indicative of the ground speed of the vehicle; a controller configured to receive each of the data sources from the plurality of sensing systems; wherein the controller is configured to arbitrate between the received plurality of data sources from the plurality of sensing systems, determine a ground speed parameter from one of the data sources, and output the ground speed parameter for use within the vehicle. The invention also resides in a method for determining the ground speed of a vehicle and a computer program product that embodies said method.

Human drivers generally cannot plan a collision evasion maneuver in the brief interval before impact, other than simply slamming on the brakes and hoping for the best. Often the collision could have been avoided by swerving or other sequence of actions. Therefore, improved collision avoidance and mitigation procedures are disclosed, based on a well-trained artificial intelligence (AI) model that takes over the accelerator, brake, and steering in an emergency. With fast electronic reflexes and AI-based computational power, the AI model can find a more effective avoidance maneuver, or at least an action that would minimize the harm (for example, by swerving to miss the passenger compartment). The AI model can then implement the sequence instantly, without fear or hesitation. The resultfewer collisions and less fatality on our highways.

A method and/or computer program product controls an operational mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV) that is initially being operated in a nominal autonomous mode. Detectors on an SDV detect an erratically driven vehicle (EDV) that is being operated in an unsafe manner within a predetermined distance of an SDV. In response to detecting the EDV, a driving mode device in the SDV changes an operational mode of the SDV from the nominal autonomous mode to an evasive autonomous mode.

A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.

A subject vehicle in traffic can detect a second vehicle using sensors that measure motions of the second vehicle, and thereby determine one or more future trajectories of the second vehicle, and thereby determine whether a collision between the subject and second vehicles is imminent. The subject vehicle can calculate one or more sequences of actions, each action comprising an acceleration, a deceleration, and/or a steering action of the subject vehicle. The subject vehicle can also calculate whether any of the one or more sequences of actions can avoid the imminent collision, and also calculate an expected harm of the imminent collision according to each of the one or more sequences of actions. The subject vehicle can then autonomously select and implement a particular sequence of actions that is calculated to avoid the imminent collision or to minimize the harm of the imminent collision.