Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

A steering angle display device includes a display part disposed along a ring portion of a steering wheel of a vehicle; and a controller configured, during automated driving control in which a steering angle of the vehicle is controlled in accordance with road situations without rotating the steering wheel, to cause a steering angle indication indicating the controlled steering angle to be displayed at a position of the display part in accordance with the controlled steering angle.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for evaluating the driving of a vehicle performing a journey on a road network, comprising determining at least one constant speed zone of the road network, a constant speed zone being a portion of the road network at which the vehicle can travel at a constant speed, said determination being based upon expected speeds of travel along the road network determined from positional data relating to the movements of a plurality of vehicles over time along the road network. A speed of the vehicle traversing the road network is determined at a plurality of times during the journey, and a value indicative of a consistency of the speed of the vehicle within the at least one constant speed zone is further determined.

A user interface apparatus for a vehicle includes a display unit; an interface unit that receives information; at least one processor; and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations that include: receiving, through the interface unit, first information regarding a planned autonomous parking operation of the vehicle, and second information regarding a progress of an autonomous parking maneuver performed by the vehicle based on the planned autonomous parking operation; displaying, through the display unit, a graphic object corresponding to the first information regarding the planned autonomous parking operation of the vehicle; and controlling the display unit to apply an animation effect to the graphic object being displayed, the animation effect corresponding to the second information regarding the progress of the autonomous parking maneuver performed by the vehicle.

An audio system of a vehicle includes a selection module configured to, based on whether a gear shift of a transmission of the vehicle is occurring, set a selected torque to one of: a torque output of an engine of the vehicle; and a predicted torque output of the engine. A sound control module is configured to: determine frequencies for outputting a predetermined engine sound; and based on the selected torque, determine magnitudes for outputting the predetermined engine sound at the frequencies, respectively. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to speakers to output sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle at the magnitudes and frequencies, respectively.

A vehicle display control device, includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to cause a display unit provided in a vehicle cabin to display an inducement image requesting that an occupant grip a steering wheel in a case in which it is necessary for the occupant to grip the steering wheel, and cause the display unit to display the inducement image more prominently in a case of requesting that the occupant grip the steering wheel before the vehicle switches from an autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode as the vehicle is continuing to drive autonomously, than in a case of requesting that the occupant continue to grip the steering wheel as the vehicle is continuing to drive autonomously.

A motor vehicle includes a steering wheel and an activation device operable to cause the motor vehicle to switch to an activation state, in which the motor vehicle becomes responsive to one or more specific commands of a driver, characterized in that the steering wheel comprises a transparent portion and a light emission device configured to light the transparent portion when the motor vehicle switches to the activation state by means of the activation device.

During an at least partially autonomous driving operation of a motor vehicle, an arrangement and mode of action of environmental sensors of the motor vehicle, the sensor data of which are used in the at least partially autonomous driving operation, is visualized by use of a display device arranged in the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a data interface for wirelessly transmitting data to the display device.

A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, has a housing that holds a spray bar, rotatable brush and a wiper blade. An engagement mechanism moves spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade out from a disengaged position within the housing to an engaged position outside the housing so that they can be used to clean, brush, and dry the surface. After the spray bar, brush, and wiper blade are used to, respectively, clean, brush, and dry the surface, the engagement mechanism then moves the spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade to a disengaged position within the housing.