If a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value when a hybrid control mode is a series mode and a charge mode is selected (S10-S14), it is determined whether an SOC of a high voltage battery is less than a predetermined value or not (S16), and when the SOC of the high voltage battery is less than the predetermined value, ignition timing is corrected to be retarded (S18).

A vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, and a rechargeable power source can be configured for reduced fuel consumption at idle. The vehicle drive system includes an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover. The control system causes fuel to be eliminated to the first prime mover while the vehicle is stopped and causes the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed, thereby reducing fuel consumption at idle for the vehicle.

An autonomous driving control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a processor that determines whether a current driving condition of the vehicle is a limit situation during an autonomous driving control, performs a demand for control authority transition to a user during the autonomous driving control when the current driving condition is the limit situation, and starts a minimum risk maneuver to transmit a signal for disabling reactivation of the autonomous driving control when control authority is not transferred to the user; and a storage to store a set of instructions and driving condition data to be used by the processor. In particular, the processor demands for engagement of an electronic parking brake device when the vehicle is stopped after the minimum risk maneuver ends.

System and method for safe over-the-air (OTA) update of electronic control units in vehicles are provided. The method includes checking whether a vehicle condition allows firmware update of an electronic control unit in a vehicle. If the vehicle condition allows the firmware update, the method includes causing a telematics device to complete the firmware update for the electronic control unit.

A vehicle comprises an autonomous driving system and a vehicle platform that controls the vehicle in response to a command received from the autonomous driving system. In the vehicle, when a first signal indicates an autonomous mode, the vehicle platform performs a shift change requested through a first command only while the second signal indicates a standstill.

A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to power driven wheels, an accelerator pedal, and a brake pedal. A controller is programmed to, in response to driver-demanded torque corresponding to a position of the accelerator pedal, selectively brake the vehicle via operation of the electric machine, in further response to a speed of the vehicle being greater than a threshold, limit a rate of change of the driver-demanded torque commanded to the powertrain based on a first rate limit, and, in further response to the speed being less than another threshold, limit a rate of change of the driver-demanded torque commanded to the powertrain based on a second rate limit that is higher than the first rate limit such that, for a given driver-demanded torque, acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle is more responsive than when the first rate limit is applied.

Enabling or disabling vehicle applications for execution is described. When a request to execute an application is received by a vehicle processing system or a change in the operational status of a vehicle is detected, the vehicle processing system may obtain classification data classifying the application and the current operational status of the vehicle. The classification data may indicate an application type of the application and the types of vehicle operation statuses that the application can be executed under. Based on the classification data, vehicle operation status, and one or more rules, the vehicle processing system may determine whether to enable execution of the application or deny execution of the application in the vehicle.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle hill control. An example of a method may include during a vehicle stopped condition, operating with a clutch of a transmission engaged to mechanically lock the transmission, the transmission having a plurality of power inputs including receiving input from an electric machine and a prime mover; releasing at least one of the clutch or a service brake, and while releasing, concurrently adjusting an output magnitude of the electric machine responsive to speed control to control to a zero vehicle speed. In some examples, the method may further include learning a torque output of the electric machine required to maintain the zero vehicle speed upon fully releasing the clutch or service brake. In an example, the method may include estimating a road grade based on the learned torque output.

A method and a corresponding device are provided for preventing an undesired vehicle motion during an automatic switch-off process of a drive machine in a motor vehicle. An automatic switch-off process is initiated by a start-stop apparatus before the standstill is reached if the motor vehicle is braked because of a deceleration request and the speed of the vehicle is less than a specified first speed threshold. A brake pressure of suitable magnitude is caused to be locked-in in the brake system even before the vehicle reaches the standstill if a first signal indicating that the vehicle standstill will soon be reached and a second signal indicating that an inability of the drive machine to operate in a self-sustaining manner will soon be reached are acquired because of an initiated automatic switch-off process of the drive machine.

A method for controlling an electric drive unit (EDU) having a motor-driven torque converter includes receiving a request signal indicative of a requested output torque of the EDU, and operating the motor at a target motor speed using the requested output torque. The target motor speed minimizes system losses while achieving the requested output torque. When the requested output torque remains below a calibrated threshold and a turbine speed is less than a corner speed of the motor, a torque converter clutch (TCC) transitions to or remains in a locked state. The controller commands the TCC to transition to an unlocked state to reach the target motor speed, thereby selectively enabling torque multiplication. A powertrain system includes a driven load and the EDU. A computer readable storage medium may include executable instructions for performing the method.