In a vehicle control device, a switching hyperplane generation unit generates a switching hyperplane based on a travel state of a vehicle and cornering stiffness dependent on a travel surface state as a state of a road surface on which the vehicle travels. A deviation computation unit calculates a deviation between a target trajectory and an actual trajectory of the vehicle. A state estimation unit estimates a state to be controlled of the vehicle based on the deviation calculated by the deviation computation unit. A target steering angle and acceleration/deceleration computation unit calculates a target steering angle and a target acceleration/deceleration rate of the vehicle based on the switching hyperplane generated by the switching hyperplane generation unit and an estimated state as the state estimated by the state estimation unit.

Systems and methods for controlling navigation of an autonomous vehicle through an intersection are disclosed. The methods include determining a loiter pose of an autonomous vehicle for stopping at a point within the intersection before initiating an unprotected turn for traversing the intersection. One or more distinct classes of trajectories are then identified, each of which is associated with multiple trajectories that take the same combination of discrete actions with respect to the loiter pose. A constraint set for each of the one or more distinct classes of trajectories is then be computed based on the loiter pose, and a candidate trajectory is determined for each of the one or more distinct classes based on the corresponding constraint set. A trajectory for the autonomous vehicle for executing the unprotected turn for traversing the intersection is selected from amongst the candidate trajectories.

Systems and methods for controlling navigation of an autonomous vehicle through an intersection are disclosed. The methods include determining a loiter pose of an autonomous vehicle for stopping at a point within the intersection before initiating an unprotected turn for traversing the intersection. One or more distinct classes of trajectories are then identified, each of which is associated with multiple trajectories that take the same combination of discrete actions with respect to the loiter pose. A constraint set for each of the one or more distinct classes of trajectories is then be computed based on the loiter pose, and a candidate trajectory is determined for each of the one or more distinct classes based on the corresponding constraint set. A trajectory for the autonomous vehicle for executing the unprotected turn for traversing the intersection is selected from amongst the candidate trajectories.

A steering control system adapted for use on a vehicle having two or more wheels each configured to rotate about a rotational axis, at least one of the wheels being a driven wheel and at least one of the wheels being a turning wheel, and an automatic pivot steer mode. The system further comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor, a steering control device, a speed control device, and a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering sensor, and the speed control device. The controller receives inputs from the speed sensor and the steering sensor and, if both inputs fall within a predetermined range, activates a speed control device thereby altering the rotational speed or direction of at least one of the two or more wheels of the vehicle, reducing the turning radius of the vehicle.

A steering control system adapted for use on a vehicle having two or more wheels each configured to rotate about a rotational axis, at least one of the wheels being a driven wheel and at least one of the wheels being a turning wheel, and an automatic pivot steer mode. The system further comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor, a steering control device, a speed control device, and a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering sensor, and the speed control device. The controller receives inputs from the speed sensor and the steering sensor and, if both inputs fall within a predetermined range, activates a speed control device thereby altering the rotational speed or direction of at least one of the two or more wheels of the vehicle, reducing the turning radius of the vehicle.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for vehicle turning in confined spaces are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein instructions, at least one memory, a processor to execute the instructions to operate a first brake of a first wheel of a vehicle, operate a second brake of a second wheel of the vehicle, determine a frictional coefficient of a driving surface of the vehicle by rotating a third wheel of the vehicle, determine based on the frictional coefficient, if a turn command can be conducted by the vehicle, and when the turn command can be conducted, conduct the turn command.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for vehicle turning in confined spaces are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein instructions, at least one memory, a processor to execute the instructions to operate a first brake of a first wheel of a vehicle, operate a second brake of a second wheel of the vehicle, determine a frictional coefficient of a driving surface of the vehicle by rotating a third wheel of the vehicle, determine based on the frictional coefficient, if a turn command can be conducted by the vehicle, and when the turn command can be conducted, conduct the turn command.

A steering control device 10 is equipped with: a first specification unit 121 for specifying an expected travel position where a vehicle is expected to travel in the traffic lane in which the vehicle is travelling; a second specification unit 122 for specifying information about the weight of the vehicle; an adjustment unit 123 for adjusting the expected travel position in the vehicle-widthwise direction on the basis of the expected travel position of the vehicle and the weight information; and a steering control unit 124 for controlling steering on the basis of the adjusted expected travel position.

Disclosed is a vehicle control method which comprises the steps of: determining whether or not a squat of a rear end of a vehicle body is equal to or greater than a given level; determining whether or not turning manipulation of a steering device has been made; and, when the turning manipulation of the steering device is determined to have been made, controlling each part of an engine (4) to reduce an output torque of the engine (4), wherein, in response to the determination that the turning manipulation of the steering device has been made, a reduction amount of the output torque of the engine is increased when the squat of the rear end of the vehicle body is equal to or greater than the given level, as compared to when the squat is less than the given level.

Disclosed is a vehicle control method which comprises the steps of: determining whether or not a squat of a rear end of a vehicle body is equal to or greater than a given level; determining whether or not turning manipulation of a steering device has been made; and, when the turning manipulation of the steering device is determined to have been made, controlling each part of an engine (4) to reduce an output torque of the engine (4), wherein, in response to the determination that the turning manipulation of the steering device has been made, a reduction amount of the output torque of the engine is increased when the squat of the rear end of the vehicle body is equal to or greater than the given level, as compared to when the squat is less than the given level.