One or more embodiments are described for facilitating a vision based active steering system. An example steering system includes a handwheel actuator that generates a first feedback torque based on road surface forces at a roadwheel. The steering system further includes a controller that receives, from an image-based system, a control signal indicative of a type of road surface based on an image of the road surface. Further, in response, the controller adjusts one or more parameters of the handwheel actuator to generate a second feedback torque based on the road surface forces at the roadwheel.

One or more embodiments are described for facilitating a vision based active steering system. An example steering system includes a handwheel actuator that generates a first feedback torque based on road surface forces at a roadwheel. The steering system further includes a controller that receives, from an image-based system, a control signal indicative of a type of road surface based on an image of the road surface. Further, in response, the controller adjusts one or more parameters of the handwheel actuator to generate a second feedback torque based on the road surface forces at the roadwheel.

A steering system includes an electric motor, a detector, and a controller of a vehicle. The controller is configured to control the electric motor by switching an autonomous steering mode, a manual steering mode, and a cooperative steering mode. The controller is configured to control the electric motor in the cooperative steering mode unconditionally or when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a case where a situation to switch a steering mode to the manual steering mode during control in the autonomous steering mode is predicted and a manual steering request is transmitted at a time point that is prior, by a first predetermined time, to occurrence of the situation, or is transmitted when the vehicle arrives at a point that is located a first predetermined distance before a point where the situation is to occur.

A steering system includes an electric motor, a detector, and a controller of a vehicle. The controller is configured to control the electric motor by switching an autonomous steering mode, a manual steering mode, and a cooperative steering mode. The controller is configured to control the electric motor in the cooperative steering mode unconditionally or when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a case where a situation to switch a steering mode to the manual steering mode during control in the autonomous steering mode is predicted and a manual steering request is transmitted at a time point that is prior, by a first predetermined time, to occurrence of the situation, or is transmitted when the vehicle arrives at a point that is located a first predetermined distance before a point where the situation is to occur.

A motor control device includes a plurality of systems capable of controlling current supply to a motor. Each microcomputer of first and second systems is configured to communicate information of the own system and the other system by inter-computer communication and has an independent ground potential. A power supply current flowing between a power supply and a power converter is assumed to be positive and negative in a power running state and a regeneration state. Each microcomputer monitors the power supply current of each system by the inter-computer communication, and executes a power supply current balancing process of limiting a current command value or a voltage command value of at least one of the two systems thereby to decrease a power supply current difference between the two systems when the power supply current difference between the two systems exceeds a target value.

A method for controlling a vehicle includes operating a steering system in manual steer-by-wire control state and determining that a transition to an automated steer-by-wire control state is to be performed by the steering system. The method also includes entering the automated steer-by-wire control state upon determining that all conditions from a group of state entry conditions are satisfied, and operating the steering system in the automated steer-by-wire control state until determining that any condition from a group of state exit conditions is satisfied. The method also includes entering the manual steer-by-wire control state upon determining that any condition from the group of state exit conditions is satisfied.

A method for controlling a vehicle includes operating a steering system in manual steer-by-wire control state and determining that a transition to an automated steer-by-wire control state is to be performed by the steering system. The method also includes entering the automated steer-by-wire control state upon determining that all conditions from a group of state entry conditions are satisfied, and operating the steering system in the automated steer-by-wire control state until determining that any condition from a group of state exit conditions is satisfied. The method also includes entering the manual steer-by-wire control state upon determining that any condition from the group of state exit conditions is satisfied.

A steer by wire steering system includes a steering wheel selectively coupled to a steering shaft, the steering wheel and steering shaft axially movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; an advanced driver assist system configured to steer the steerable wheels of a vehicle that is in communication with the steering wheel and steering shaft, the ADAS configured to selectively control the steering of the steerable wheels in an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode; and a steering system controller in communication with the ADAS, the steering system controller programmed to, while the steering wheel is in the retracted position, move the steering wheel to the deployed position and operatively couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft, in response to a vehicle operator request to deactivate a portion of the ADAS and transition from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

A steer by wire steering system includes a steering wheel selectively coupled to a steering shaft, the steering wheel and steering shaft axially movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; an advanced driver assist system configured to steer the steerable wheels of a vehicle that is in communication with the steering wheel and steering shaft, the ADAS configured to selectively control the steering of the steerable wheels in an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode; and a steering system controller in communication with the ADAS, the steering system controller programmed to, while the steering wheel is in the retracted position, move the steering wheel to the deployed position and operatively couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft, in response to a vehicle operator request to deactivate a portion of the ADAS and transition from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

A method is described for operating a steering system (2) of a motor vehicle. A steering means (8) is connected to a steering gear (14) by means of an active steering system (4). During autonomous operation of the motor vehicle, a driver's intervention (40) in the steering means (8) is determined. The active steering system (4) is operated in such a way that a coupling (30) between an angle (26) of the steering means and an angle (28) input into the steering gear (14) is adjusted depending on the thus determined driver's intervention (40).