Method and system for improving fuel consumption efficiency. For example, the method includes collecting user driving data for one or more vehicle trips made by a user between a particular pair of origination and destination points, analyzing the user driving data to determine one or more user driving features of a user driving behavior for the particular pair of origination and destination points, comparing the one or more user driving features with one or more desired driving features of a desired driving behavior for the particular pair of origination and destination points, determining a performance feedback based at least in part on the comparison, and providing the performance feedback to the user to improve a user fuel consumption efficiency for the particular pair of origination and destination points.

Method and system for selecting a vehicle route. For example, the method includes collecting information for a future vehicle trip that will be made by a user, generating multiple routes for the same future vehicle trip, predicting an amount of fuel consumption for each of the multiple routes based at least in part upon information for the route and user driving features of the user, and selecting a route from the multiple routes based at least in part upon the amounts of fuel consumption predicted for the user, where the selected route corresponds to a least amount among the amounts of fuel consumption predicted for the user.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system having a memory, a plurality of self-driving systems for controlling a vehicle, and one or more processors. The processors are configured to receive at least one fallback task in association with a request for a primary task and at least one trigger of each fallback task. Each trigger is a set of conditions that, when satisfied, indicate when a vehicle requires attention for proper operation. The processors are also configured to send instructions to the self-driving systems to execute the primary task and receive status updates from the self-driving systems. The processors are configured to determine that a set of conditions of a trigger is satisfied based on the status updates and send further instructions based on the associated fallback task to the self-driving systems.

Methods for extending a range of a vehicle are disclosed and include receiving a first data, the first data being indicative of a distance of the vehicle from a target destination, receiving a second data, the second data being indicative of a level of potential energy of an energy source for a power plant of the vehicle, receiving an operating parameter indicative of estimated future energy usage of the power plant, estimating, by a processor, an expected range of the vehicle based on the second data and the estimated future energy usage of the power plant, and adjusting a performance parameter of the power plant to extend an actual range of the vehicle when the estimated expected range is less than the distance of the vehicle from the target destination are disclosed. Systems for extending the range of the vehicle are also disclosed.

A hybrid vehicle includes a generator, a driving motor, and a battery. The control system includes the hybrid vehicle, and a controller for controlling the generator and the driving motor. The controller calculates a battery output request value and a power-generating output request value based on traveling conditions of the vehicle, and controls the driving motor and the power generator based on these values. At this time, when a state of the battery is a state in which the power-generating output request value is not satisfied, the controller executes an adjustment process for adjusting the battery output request value and the power-generating output request value. In the adjustment process, the smaller the remaining capacity of the battery, the smaller the battery output request value is and the larger the power-generating output request value is.

Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel economy and reducing undesired emissions. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine speed being within a first threshold speed of an engine idle speed during a speed reduction request with engine cylinders unfueled, maintaining the cylinders unfueled, and controlling the engine to a desired stopping position responsive to the engine speed being greater than a second threshold speed lower than the idle speed. In this way, fuel usage and emissions may be reduced and engine restart requests may be conducted at least in part via vehicle inertia.

A system for providing vehicle information to a user via audible signals. The system includes a data acquisition and transfer device disposable in communication with a vehicle computer on a vehicle to receive diagnostic data therefrom. A remote diagnostic server is disposable in communication with the data acquisition and transfer device to receive the diagnostic data. The remote diagnostic server includes a plurality of preset vehicle conditions stored thereon, and is operative to analyze the diagnostic data and generate an alert signal when the diagnostic data represents at least one of the preset vehicle conditions. The alert signal is receivable by a mobile communication device and is configured to allow the mobile communication device to generate an audible signal based on the alert signal. The audible signal includes diagnostic information associated with the diagnostic data received from the vehicle computer.

A control device of a vehicle includes a power source and a power transmission device, and comprises: a state determining portion determining whether a vehicle state is a state in which a running performance of the vehicle is limited; a drive torque calculating portion calculating a drive torque as a maximum drive torque which the vehicle outputs based on the vehicle state; a remaining running distance calculating portion calculating a remaining distance as a maximum distance for which the vehicle travels based on the vehicle state; a destination setting portion setting a destination of the vehicle based on the drive torque and the remaining distance; and a driving control portion providing an automatic driving control in which acceleration/deceleration and steering are automatically performed based on the destination when it is determined that the vehicle is in a state in which the running performance thereof is limited.

A system for providing vehicle information to a user via audible signals. The system includes a data acquisition and transfer device disposable in communication with a vehicle computer on a vehicle to receive diagnostic data therefrom. A remote diagnostic server is disposable in communication with the data acquisition and transfer device to receive the diagnostic data. The remote diagnostic server includes a plurality of preset vehicle conditions stored thereon, and is operative to analyze the diagnostic data and generate an alert signal when the diagnostic data represents at least one of the preset vehicle conditions. The alert signal is receivable by a mobile communication device and is configured to allow the mobile communication device to generate an audible signal based on the alert signal. The audible signal includes diagnostic information associated with the diagnostic data received from the vehicle computer.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for improving fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The apparatus for assisting driving of a host vehicle includes an input configured to receive an input for activation of a fuel efficiency mode; and a controller configured to: in response to receiving the input for activation of the fuel efficiency mode, determine a control factor for power distribution based on route information received from a navigation device of the host vehicle and a state of a battery, and perform power distribution based on the control factor.