A system for control of an automated device includes a control system configured to operate a device during an operating mode corresponding to a first state in which the control system automatically controls operation, the operating mode prescribing that a user monitor the device operation during automated control, and a scheduling module configured to, during the operating mode, receive a request for the user to temporarily stop monitoring in order to perform a task unrelated to the device operation, allocate a time period during which automated control is maintained and the user stops monitoring, the time period including a non-monitoring period having a duration based on a minimum amount of time for the task, and put the device into a temporary state at initiation of the allocated time period during which the user stops monitoring and automated control is maintained.

Computer-implemented methods, systems and computer program products for facilitating operationally customized access to smart vehicles are provided. Aspects include receiving request to access a smart vehicle. Aspects also include receiving vehicle operation constraints associated with the smart vehicle using a processor. Aspects also include generating a vehicle policy based at least in part on the request to access the smart vehicle and the vehicle operation constraints using the processor. The vehicle policy includes rules for operation of the smart vehicle. Aspects also include transmitting the vehicle policy to the smart vehicle. Aspects also include moderating the operation of the smart vehicle based on at least in part the vehicle policy.

Systems and methods for adjusting vehicle components based on audible commands are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of adjustable vehicle components, an audio device, and a controller. The audio device is configured to receive an audible command and generate corresponding command data. The controller is programmed to generate at least one confidence score based on the command data and (i) cause a first response to be output from the audio device after determining that the at least one confidence score does not meet a first threshold, (ii) cause a second response to be output from the audio device after determining that the at least one confidence score does not meet a second threshold, and (iii) cause an adjustment of at least one adjustable vehicle component after determining that the at least one confidence score meets the second threshold.

Traversing a vehicle transportation network includes operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance. The scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model of a distinct vehicle operational scenario. Operating the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes identifying a multi-objective policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model. The multi-objective policy may include a relationship between at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes receiving a candidate vehicle control action associated with each of the at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes selecting a vehicle control action based on a buffer value. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes performing the selected vehicle control action, determining a preference indicator for each objective, and updating the multi-objective policy.

In deceleration set processing, first-class and second-class deceleration are specified. The first-class deceleration is deceleration of the vehicle corresponding to a first-class state. The first-class state is a state of a slowdown target of the vehicle. The second-class deceleration is deceleration of a following moving body corresponding to a second-class state. The second-class state is a state of the vehicle as viewed from the following moving body. If a minimum value of the first-class deceleration (a first-class minimum value) is equal to or greater than a minimum value of the second-class deceleration (a second-class minimum value), target deceleration is set to the first-class minimum value. Otherwise, based on a second-class minimum value phase, the target deceleration is set to deceleration equal to or greater than the second-class minimum value. The second-class minimum value phase is a phase to which the second-class minimum value belongs in a second deceleration feature.

A computer-implemented method for controlling a vehicle. The method monitors one or more characteristics of one or more users within the vehicle, and compares the one or more characteristics of the one or more users with one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users. The method further determines, based on the comparison, that a difference between the one or more characteristics and the one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users exceeds a threshold value, and performs a controlling action associated with the vehicle, wherein the controlling action may be taking a higher level of autonomous control over the vehicle; varying speed and handling of the vehicle; and overriding the one or more characteristics of the one or more users in order to avoid an accident.

A vehicle control device includes a memory configured to store a first target speed applied under a specific traveling situation and a second target speed that is equal to or less than the first target speed and applied to a traveling situation other than the specific traveling situation, and a processor configured to determine whether or not a traveling situation of the vehicle corresponds to the specific traveling situation, control a traveling speed of the vehicle in accordance with the first target speed when a traveling situation of the vehicle corresponds to the specific traveling situation, and control a traveling speed of the vehicle in accordance with the second target speed when a traveling situation of the vehicle differs from the specific traveling situation.

A vehicle determines that a vehicle enhanced driving mode has been requested. The vehicle determines whether a condition for engaging such a mode has been met. Additionally, the vehicle offers a user-override, when the condition has not been met and the condition is a condition defined as over-rideable and responsive to override acceptance, engaging the requested driving mode. In other instances, the vehicle monitors mode usage against predefined maximum usage constraints, and may facilitate excess mode usage if constraints are exceeded.

A vehicle control system has a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system 28, a transmission controller 30, a steering controller 48, a brakes controller 62 and a suspension controller 82. These subsystem controllers are each operable in a plurality of subsystem modes, and are all connected to a vehicle mode controller 98 which controls the modes of operation of each of the subsystem controllers so as to provide a number of driving modes for the vehicle. Each of the modes corresponds to a particular driving condition or set of driving conditions, and in each mode each of the functions is set to the function in mode most appropriate to those conditions.

A predicted energy consumption calculation unit calculates, when an on-vehicle apparatus of a rental vehicle is operated during the period of depositing an article in a deposit space of the rental vehicle, a predicted energy consumption that is a predicted value of the amount of energy consumed by the on-vehicle apparatus. A rentable period determination unit determines a rentable period of the deposit space on the basis of the predicted energy consumption calculated by the predicted energy consumption calculation unit.