The invention relates to a system and method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. First information on an environment of the vehicle is obtained and an instruction from the vehicle driver is received. An evaluation task defining an aspect of a current traffic situation encountered by the vehicle and to be evaluated is defined from the received instruction. An evaluation of the obtained information according to the evaluation task is performed, and an evaluation result is generated. Other aspects of the traffic situation and their relation to the aspect defined in the task are then evaluated additionally. Finally an information on the basis of the evaluation result and the other determined aspects is generated and output.

A method for enabling a user to temporarily customize an operating characteristic of a first vehicle feature. The method includes temporarily customizing an operating characteristic of a first vehicle feature by means of the vehicle electronic control unit based on acquired personal information. The temporary customized operating characteristic of the first vehicle feature does not remain customized more than a single driving cycle.

A server apparatus includes a communication interface and a controller configured to transmit/receive information to/from another apparatus using the communication interface. Upon determining, based on behavior classification, that a behavior of a passenger detected from a captured image or a sound of the inside of a vehicle is threatening, the controller is configured to execute a process for evaluation of the passenger such that vehicle dispatch to the passenger is restricted.

A control apparatus includes a controller configured to, upon determining, based on behavior classification, that a behavior of a passenger detected from a captured image or a sound of inside of a vehicle is threatening, transmit a first instruction to increase tension of a seat belt worn by the passenger.

Signals are received from a plurality of sources, representing aspects of the vehicle, a vehicle operator, and an environment surrounding the vehicle. An alertness factor and a readiness factor are developed based at least in part on the signals. Control of the vehicle is transitioned between levels of autonomous control based at least in part on the alertness factor and the readiness factor.

An action probability factor is developed based at least in part on a plurality of probability arrays predicting one or more probabilities of a deviation from at least one of a planned vehicle direction, position, speed, and acceleration. Levels of autonomous control are transitioned based at least in part on the action probability factor.

Signals are from a plurality of sources representing aspects of the vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle. An autonomous confidence factor is developed based on component confidence levels for at least one of the signals. Control of the vehicle is transitioned between levels of autonomous control based at least in part on the autonomous confidence factor.

Signals are received from a plurality of sources, representing operating characteristics of a vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle. A plurality of operational factors are developed based on the signals. The vehicle is controlled according to one of at least three levels of control, including an autonomous, a semi-autonomous, and a manual level of control, based on the operational factors.

A confusion degree determining unit determines a degree of confusion of an occupant by using occupant state information acquired by an occupant state acquiring unit. A recognition degree determining unit determines a degree of recognition of the occupant, with respect to surrounding conditions and automatic control of a vehicle, by using surrounding condition information and control information acquired by a host vehicle status acquiring unit and the occupant state information acquired by the occupant state acquiring unit. An information generation unit generates information to be provided to the occupant by using the surrounding condition information and control information acquired by the host vehicle status acquiring unit, the degree of confusion determined by the confusion degree determining unit, and the degree of recognition determined by the recognition degree determining unit.

A voice interaction method and a vehicle using the same are disclosed. A voice interaction method according to an embodiment of the present invention activates a personal terminal through which a voice signal of an occupant is received as a voice interaction assisting device between the vehicle and the occupant and changes presence or absence of a voice interaction between the vehicle and the occupant and voice interaction settings according to states of the vehicle and the occupant.