The invention relates to a method for a control unit (10) for stopping a vehicle (1) when stopping at different types of stop positions (2, 3, 4), the method comprising the following steps: —(S1) the control unit receiving input about a specific stop position for the vehicle, associated with when the vehicle is about to stop during a stopping sequence, the input being indicative of whether the specific stop position requires a high-precision stop or if a stop with a lower precision can be used; and —(S2) when the stop position requires a high-precision stop, the control unit controlling the stopping sequence such that the vehicle stops with a first stopping precision level with respect to the specific stop position, and when a lower precision can be used for the stop, the control unit controlling the stopping sequence such that the vehicle stops with a second stopping precision level which is lower than the first precision level. The invention further relates to a control unit and to a vehicle comprising the control unit.

Driving support ECU transmits a communication connection request to a help net center HNC when a driver of a vehicle has been determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, and when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has been established, the driving support ECU transmits the help signal (the positional information of the vehicle) and decelerates the vehicle at a constant deceleration to make the vehicle stop. On the other hand, when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has not been established, the driving support ECU makes the vehicle travel at a constant speed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the vehicle stop under a situation where the help net center HNC recognizes the vehicle position inside which the driver who has been determined to be in the abnormal state is.

A system and method of mu estimation may include the steps of collecting vehicle travel data on a road surface via a plurality of a sensors including at least one of an accelerometer or microphone; collecting external source data over a network; and aggregating the vehicle travel data and external source data to form an aggregated data set. The method may include performing feature extraction processing of the aggregated data set to transform the aggregated data set and into a processed aggregated data set; communicating the processed aggregated data set to a machine learning model; and generating at least one of an estimated mu value of the road surface or road surface classification via the machine learning model.

A brake pad state estimation device estimates a brake pad state including at least one of a wear volume and a temperature of a brake pad of a vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device acquires sensor detection information including a vehicle speed and a brake pressure, and calculates the brake pad state based on the sensor detection information during braking of the vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device variably sets a sampling period for acquiring the sensor detection information from a sensor according to a driving environment for the vehicle. The sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be lower is set to be longer than the sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be higher.

Driving support ECU transmits a communication connection request to a help net center HNC when a driver of a vehicle has been determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle, and when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has been established, the driving support ECU transmits the help signal (the positional information of the vehicle) and decelerates the vehicle at a constant deceleration to make the vehicle stop. On the other hand, when the communication connection to the help net center HNC has not been established, the driving support ECU makes the vehicle travel at a constant speed. Accordingly, it is possible to make the vehicle stop under a situation where the help net center HNC recognizes the vehicle position inside which the driver who has been determined to be in the abnormal state is.

Driving support ECU sets a driver's state to “temporarily abnormal” and decelerates a vehicle when a driver of the vehicle has been first determined to be in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability to drive the vehicle. Driving support ECU changes the driver's state to “regularly abnormal” in a case when the abnormal state of the driver remains unchanged when a vehicle speed decreases to a set vehicle speed, and at this point, reports to a help net center HNC. With this configuration, a report to the help net center HNC can be made at an appropriate timing.

A vehicle and associated method for calculating tire saturation is provided. The method may include the stability control computer calculating slip ratio and longitudinal force for the tire, calculating tire longitudinal stiffness by dividing longitudinal force by slip ratio, calculating tire saturation from tire longitudinal stiffness, and the stability control computer altering dynamic control of the vehicle based on calculated tire saturation. The stability control computer may calculate tire saturation from a tire saturation membership function which includes a first tire longitudinal stiffness value representing an unsaturated tire, a second tire longitudinal stiffness value representing a saturated tire, and a function line connecting the first tire longitudinal stiffness value to the second tire longitudinal stiffness value.

An agricultural vehicle-trailer-combination includes a traction vehicle including an engine and at least one ground engagement mechanism. A trailer is coupled to the traction vehicle. A service brake connected to the at least one ground engagement mechanism. The combination includes a sensor and a control unit disposed in communication with the sensor, wherein a slip or a slip gradient on the ground engagement mechanism is sensed between the ground engagement mechanism and the ground surface. A trailer brake disposed on the trailer is adjustably controlled by the control unit. The trailer brake is adjustably controlled when the service brake of the traction vehicle is actuated, and the trailer is braked by the trailer brake as a function of the slip or the slip gradient when the slip reaches or exceeds a predeterminable slip braking value or the slip gradient reaches a predeterminable slip gradient braking interval.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for the utilization of vehicle control systems to cause a vehicle to take preventative action responsive to the detection of a near short term adverse driving scenario. A vehicle control system may receive information corresponding to vehicle operator data and ancillary data. Based on the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data, a multi-dimension risk score module may calculate risk scores associated with the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data. Subsequently, the vehicle control systems may cause the vehicle to perform at least one of a close call detection action and a close call detection alert to lessen the risk associated with the received vehicle operator data and the received ancillary data.

An approach to determining vehicle usage makes use of a sensor that provides a vibration signal associated with the vehicle, and that vibration signal is used to infer usage. Usage can include distance traveled, optionally associated with particular ranges of speed or road type. In a calibration phase, auxiliary measurements, for instance based on GPS signals, are used to determine a relationship between the vibration signal and usage. In a monitoring phase, the determined relationship is used to infer usage from the vibration signal.