A plurality of driving force transmitting components of the same kind is categorized into a plurality of groups depending on a frequency range with the loudest operation sound. A component selection device stores mapping data that is data that defines mapping learned by machine learning. When the user-related information is input as an input variable, the mapping outputs a value corresponding to the input variable as an output variable. The vehicle component selection method causes the component selection method to execute: an input process inputting the user-related information into the mapping as the input variable; a selection process selecting the group corresponding to the output variable output by the mapping from the groups; and a determination process determining the driving force transmitting component categorized into the group selected in the selection process as a component to be installed in the vehicle for the user identified by the user-related information.

A vehicle control apparatus operates in various modes, e.g., a normal mode in which plural travel functions of a vehicle are controlled by plural driving functions of a driver; an automatic mode in which all driving functions are performed by the vehicle; an optimization mode in which, when a temporary reduction of driving performance of any of the plural driving functions of the driver is detected, physical stimulation and/or information that makes the driver recognize the temporary reduction of the driving performance is provided to the driver; and an assistance mode in which, when a chronic reduction of the driving performance of any of the plural driving functions of the driver is detected, information on assistance with execution of the driving performance is provided to the driver.

Disclosed are a device and a method for controlling a driving mode of a vehicle. The device includes a sensor for collecting information about an access road to a controlled-access highway, and a controller which determines a switching point on the access road at which the driving mode of the vehicle is switched to a sport mode, based on the information about the access road to the controlled-access highway, and switches the driving mode of the vehicle to the sport mode when the vehicle reaches the switching point on the access road. Thus, the vehicle accesses the controlled-access highway naturally without interfering with flow of other vehicles.

Disclosed are a device and a method for controlling a driving mode of a vehicle. The device includes a sensor for collecting information about an access road to a controlled-access highway, and a controller which determines a switching point on the access road at which the driving mode of the vehicle is switched to a sport mode, based on the information about the access road to the controlled-access highway, and switches the driving mode of the vehicle to the sport mode when the vehicle reaches the switching point on the access road. Thus, the vehicle accesses the controlled-access highway naturally without interfering with flow of other vehicles.

A host vehicle including a plurality of sensors communicably coupled to the host vehicle. Additionally, the host vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to map-match a location of the host vehicle while the host vehicle is operating on a highway, receive obstruction information from the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors having a predetermined field of view corresponding to a host vehicle field of view, estimate a driver field of view based on the host vehicle field of view, determine whether a speed of the host vehicle is safe based on the driver field of view and the obstruction information, and modify driver operation in response to a determination that the speed of the host vehicle is not safe based on the driver field of view.

A host vehicle including a plurality of sensors communicably coupled to the host vehicle. Additionally, the host vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to map-match a location of the host vehicle while the host vehicle is operating on a highway, receive obstruction information from the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors having a predetermined field of view corresponding to a host vehicle field of view, estimate a driver field of view based on the host vehicle field of view, determine whether a speed of the host vehicle is safe based on the driver field of view and the obstruction information, and modify driver operation in response to a determination that the speed of the host vehicle is not safe based on the driver field of view.

A vehicle control device includes a communicator configured to communicate with a parking lot management device having a function of guiding a vehicle, a driving controller configured to perform driving control including at least one of speed control and steering control of the vehicle, and an abnormality determiner configured to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the parking lot management device. The driving controller is configured to perform the driving control based on guidance of the parking lot management device on the basis of information received by the communicator from the parking lot management device and to restrict the driving control based on the guidance of the parking lot management device in a case where the abnormality determiner determines that the abnormality has occurred in the parking lot management device.

A vehicle control device includes a communicator configured to communicate with a parking lot management device having a function of guiding a vehicle, a driving controller configured to perform driving control including at least one of speed control and steering control of the vehicle, and an abnormality determiner configured to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the parking lot management device. The driving controller is configured to perform the driving control based on guidance of the parking lot management device on the basis of information received by the communicator from the parking lot management device and to restrict the driving control based on the guidance of the parking lot management device in a case where the abnormality determiner determines that the abnormality has occurred in the parking lot management device.

A method for operating a vehicle includes detecting a road user in a predetermined portion of a vehicle's environment, detecting a start-up attempt by vehicle driver, blocking a vehicle start-up in response to the detection of a road user in the vehicle's environment and to the detected start-up attempt, and altering a vehicle control such that the comfort of the driver is reduced in comparison with an unaltered vehicle control when the vehicle start-up has been blocked.

A method for operating a vehicle includes detecting a road user in a predetermined portion of a vehicle's environment, detecting a start-up attempt by vehicle driver, blocking a vehicle start-up in response to the detection of a road user in the vehicle's environment and to the detected start-up attempt, and altering a vehicle control such that the comfort of the driver is reduced in comparison with an unaltered vehicle control when the vehicle start-up has been blocked.