The present disclosure relates to autonomous driving vehicles and methods for improving stability and occupant comfort of the same. The vehicle includes: a frame member; a cabin, movable with respect to and independent from the frame member; wheels; at least one suspension between the wheels and frame member; actuation device configured to control at least the orientation of the cabin with respect to the frame member; a perception module comprising perception sensors and algorithm configured to at least identify road boundaries and obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle; and a planning module configured to plan the motions of the steering means using information from at least the perception module.

Methods and systems of determining and controlling a vehicle travel speed on a roadway determine a grade of the roadway at defined intervals along the roadway; calculate a maximum straight line vehicle speed for each defined interval based on the determined grade and vehicle performance data; determine a radius of curvature and a superelevation of the roadway for each defined interval; determine a lateral friction coefficient for a vehicle/roadway system; calculate a maximum cornering vehicle speed for each defined interval based on the curvature, superelevation, and lateral friction coefficient; calculate the travel speed for each defined interval based on the maximum straight line vehicle speed and the maximum cornering vehicle speed; and control the speed of the vehicle so that it does not exceed the calculated travel speed for each defined interval.

A helmet is provided with a shell and an opening wherein a first controller is supported by the shell. A pod is operatively coupled to the first controller and the pod comprises an input device. The input device provides an input to the first controller and the pod is receivable within the opening.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of “modules” that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

A device for controlling traveling of a vehicle is provided. The device includes a sensor that obtains vehicle traveling information, a navigation that obtains vehicle position information, and a controller that determines whether the vehicle has entered a building based on the vehicle traveling information and the vehicle position information. The controller calculates a traveling control amount based on the determination result. Accordingly, the device actively adjusts a vehicle height even when the vehicle enters the building and travels on a slope in the building preventing damage to a lower portion of the vehicle.

A parking assist system includes: a control device configured to execute a driving process for autonomously moving a vehicle to a target position; a steering operation member configured to receive a steering operation performed by an occupant; a vehicle state detecting device; and a notification device configured to make a notification to the occupant. In the driving process, the control device executes vehicle speed control and steering control. When, during execution of the driving process, the control device determines that the vehicle is a suspension state in which the driving process should be temporarily suspended, the control device causes the notification device to output a prescribed notification and executes a suspension process. In the suspension process, the control device executes the vehicle speed control to stop the vehicle and stops the steering control.

A system, comprising a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a height of a curb that is at least one of within or bordering a parking area having a specified length and width. The instructions include instructions to identify a location of the curb. The instructions include instructions to determine a parking position within the parking area based on the height of the curb and the location of the curb. The instructions include instructions to park a vehicle at the parking position within the parking area.

Some embodiments may provide a method for a desired operating environment. A signal to place a vehicle in a designated mode corresponding to a desired operating environment may be received. The designated mode may include modifications to one or more default operating characteristics of the vehicle. The modifications may be while the vehicle is in parked mode and a vehicle access key associated with the vehicle is within proximity of the vehicle. In response to receiving the signal, characteristics of the vehicle to be modified in order to create the desired operating environment may be identified. The default operating characteristics may relate to power-consuming features or available power for connected accessories. One or more settings of the vehicle to change the default operating characteristics of the vehicle while in the designated mode may be modified.

A method for controlling a vehicle includes applying torque to a set of tires to cause the vehicle to move along a surface, reducing an amount of downward force applied to the surface by a first tire from the set of tires using an active suspension component, and actuating the first tire to control the dynamic response of the first tire relative to the surface. The method also includes determining a traction force of the first tire relative to the surface at each of multiple values for the dynamic response of the first tire relative to the surface, and determining a maximum available traction force based on the multiple values of the dynamic response and the corresponding values for the traction force. The method also includes determining a friction parameter based on the maximum available traction force, and controlling an operation of the vehicle based on the friction parameter.

A number of illustrative variations may include a method or product for alerting or refocusing an inattentive driver.