Systems and methods are provided for identifying an imminent low state of charge of a battery in an autonomous vehicle, and automatically powering down the vehicle before a zero state of charge event occurs. In particular, the autonomous vehicle automatically powers down while there is enough energy in the batteries to restart the vehicle and drive the vehicle a short distance to a charging station.

Disclosed are a power assisted towing mode control method and system for ecofriendly vehicles. The power assisted towing mode control method is executed to control a power assisted towing mode between a first vehicle as a towing vehicle and a second vehicle as a towed vehicle, and includes determining, by the first vehicle, whether or not an accelerator pedal amount exceeds a threshold value, calculating, by the first vehicle, driver request torque based on the accelerator pedal amount, calculating, by the first vehicle, motor allowable torque based on the driver request torque, receiving, by the second vehicle, the motor allowable torque and calculating motor dischargeable torque based on the motor allowable torque, and performing, by the second vehicle, motor torque output based on the motor dischargeable torque.

Disclosed are a power assisted towing mode control method and system for ecofriendly vehicles. The power assisted towing mode control method is executed to control a power assisted towing mode between a first vehicle as a towing vehicle and a second vehicle as a towed vehicle, and includes determining, by the first vehicle, whether or not an accelerator pedal amount exceeds a threshold value, calculating, by the first vehicle, driver request torque based on the accelerator pedal amount, calculating, by the first vehicle, motor allowable torque based on the driver request torque, receiving, by the second vehicle, the motor allowable torque and calculating motor dischargeable torque based on the motor allowable torque, and performing, by the second vehicle, motor torque output based on the motor dischargeable torque.

A self-driving motor vehicle including numerous control units and numerous program codes for controlling the functions of the autonomous driving and other functions of the self-driving vehicle. Numerous program codes used for an autonomous driving mode are applied redundantly to at least two different control units. The self-driving motor vehicle may then be operated in an at least a partially autonomous driving mode. In this mode, the functions directly needed for satisfying a passenger's desire are determined, and weighted with regard to their importance in fulfilling the passenger's desires. At least one function of a lower order is then shut off, if the available resources in functioning control units and/or the power level in the self-driving motor vehicle are insufficient to execute program code for executing this function of the lower order.

A self-driving motor vehicle including numerous control units and numerous program codes for controlling the functions of the autonomous driving and other functions of the self-driving vehicle. Numerous program codes used for an autonomous driving mode are applied redundantly to at least two different control units. The self-driving motor vehicle may then be operated in an at least a partially autonomous driving mode. In this mode, the functions directly needed for satisfying a passenger's desire are determined, and weighted with regard to their importance in fulfilling the passenger's desires. At least one function of a lower order is then shut off, if the available resources in functioning control units and/or the power level in the self-driving motor vehicle are insufficient to execute program code for executing this function of the lower order.

Technologies and techniques for dynamic, context-based distribution of program codes in a control system in a vehicle. The control system includes numerous control units. The allocation of the program codes to the corresponding control units in the control system takes place using a global placement chart. The global placement chart is calculated on a computer, which may be located outside the control system. The data from the global placement chart are sent to the control system. Other aspects include an at least partially autonomous motor vehicle that has a control system for executing dynamic, context-based distribution of program codes.

Technologies and techniques for dynamic, context-based distribution of program codes in a control system in a vehicle. The control system includes numerous control units. The allocation of the program codes to the corresponding control units in the control system takes place using a global placement chart. The global placement chart is calculated on a computer, which may be located outside the control system. The data from the global placement chart are sent to the control system. Other aspects include an at least partially autonomous motor vehicle that has a control system for executing dynamic, context-based distribution of program codes.

A method includes an initial trailer health assessment and real-time trailer health monitoring. The initial trailer health assessment includes autonomous pre-trip maneuvers of the autonomous vehicle during a first time period, and detecting a pre-trip vehicle health condition. A vehicle health score is calculated based on the pre-trip vehicle health condition. If the vehicle health score is at least a threshold value, real-time trailer health monitoring is performed during a trip of the autonomous vehicle during a second time period, by actively monitoring vehicle dynamics data and/or image data associated with the autonomous vehicle, to determine a fault condition of the autonomous vehicle. If the fault condition meets a first criteria, a control parameter and/or a travel plan of the autonomous vehicle is adjusted. If the fault condition meets a second criteria different from the first criteria, a signal is sent to cause the autonomous vehicle to cease movement.

A method includes an initial trailer health assessment and real-time trailer health monitoring. The initial trailer health assessment includes autonomous pre-trip maneuvers of the autonomous vehicle during a first time period, and detecting a pre-trip vehicle health condition. A vehicle health score is calculated based on the pre-trip vehicle health condition. If the vehicle health score is at least a threshold value, real-time trailer health monitoring is performed during a trip of the autonomous vehicle during a second time period, by actively monitoring vehicle dynamics data and/or image data associated with the autonomous vehicle, to determine a fault condition of the autonomous vehicle. If the fault condition meets a first criteria, a control parameter and/or a travel plan of the autonomous vehicle is adjusted. If the fault condition meets a second criteria different from the first criteria, a signal is sent to cause the autonomous vehicle to cease movement.

An automated parking movement path is generated such that a vehicle speed and a steering angle are set so as to enable a full steering axial force to be applied within a range of being less than a maximum driving force which depends on the temperature of a steering motor. Consequently, a load on the steering motor is suppressed, and thus a rise in the temperature of a steering motor is suppressed within the movement path from a movement starting position to a movement ending position.