A method for estimating an effective length of a first vehicle segment of a vehicle combination, the vehicle combination comprising a towing vehicle which is connected to the first vehicle segment via a first articulation joint and a perception sensor mounted on one of the towing vehicle and the first vehicle segment and arranged to obtain an image of the other one of the towing vehicle and the first vehicle segment; the method comprising identifying that the vehicle combination is provided in a first steady vehicle state, identifying that a turning and driving manoeuvre is initiated, identifying when the vehicle combination reaches a second steady vehicle state, determining a time period required for driving the vehicle combination from the first steady vehicle state to the second steady vehicle state, and estimating the effective length by use of the time period, the specific angular change, and the specific speed.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A parking guidance system includes a parking guidance device that sets a position of a parking area in a distribution hub and generates a travel path to the parking area and an autonomous vehicle that controls movement of the autonomous vehicle to the position of the parking area set by the parking guidance device.

A method is proposed for stabilizing a tractor-trailer combination comprising a tractor vehicle and a trailer. The tractor vehicle has front and rear axle steering. The distinguishing feature of the method is that while driving, and braking while rounding a curved trajectory, the steering angle of the wheels on the rear axle is set to be in the same direction as the steering angle of the wheels on the front axle in order to stabilize the tractor-trailer combination.

A system for granting access to an autonomous vehicle comprises the autonomous vehicle, a control device, and a communication device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The communication device receives a signal from a device associated with a user that indicates the user requests the autonomous vehicle to pull over. The control device pulls the autonomous vehicle over to a side of road traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The control device receives a credential associated with the user. The control device determines whether the credential is verified. In response to determining that the credential is verified, the control device grants the user to access the autonomous vehicle.

A system comprises an autonomous vehicle (AV) and a control device operably coupled with the AV. The control device receives, from an operation server, a command to navigate the AV to avoid an expected road condition. The control device receives, from sensors of the AV, sensor data comprising location coordinates of a plurality of objects ahead of the AV. The control device determines whether at least one object from the plurality of objects impedes performing the command. In response to determining that at least one object impedes performing the command, the control device updates the command, such that the updated command comprises one or more navigation instructions to avoid the at least one object while performing the command. The control device navigates the AV according to the updated command.

A system comprises a lead autonomous vehicle (AV), a control device associated with the lead AV, and a following AV. The control device receives a command to navigate the lead AV to avoid an unexpected road condition. The control device receives sensor data from a sensor of the lead AV, comprising location coordinates of objects ahead of the lead AV. The control device accesses environmental data associated with a portion of a road between the lead AV and following AV. The environmental data comprises location coordinates of objects between the lead AV and following AV. The control device determines whether an object in the sensor data or environmental data impedes performing the command by the following AV. The control device updates the command, if the control device determines that an object impedes performing the command by the following AV, and communicates the updated command to the following AV.

A system comprises an autonomous vehicle (AV) and an operation server operably coupled with the AV. The operation server accesses environmental data associated with a road traveled by the AV. The environmental data is associated with a time window during which the AV is traveling along the road. The operation server compares the environmental data with map data that comprises expected road conditions ahead of the AV. The operation server determines whether the environmental data comprises an unexpected road condition that is not included in the map data. In response to determining that the environmental data comprises the unexpected road condition that is not included in the map data, the operation server determines a location coordinate of the unexpected road condition, and communicates a command to the AV to maneuver to avoid the unexpected road condition.

Provided is a system and method that can control a merge of an autonomous vehicle when other vehicles are present on the road. In one example, the method may include iteratively estimating a series of values associated with one or more vehicles in an adjacent lane with respect to an ego vehicle, identifying a trend associated with the one or more vehicles from the iteratively estimated series of values, determining merge intentions of the one or more vehicles with respect to the ego vehicle based on the identified trend over time, verifying the merge intentions against a simulated change in the trend, selecting a merge position of the ego vehicle with respect to the one or more vehicles within the lane based on the verified merge intentions, and executing an instruction to cause the ego vehicle to perform a merge operation based on the selected merge position.

A vehicle control system includes at least one sensor and a power supply control system. The sensor is on board a vehicle system and configured to generate vehicle data relating to a condition or parameter associated with the vehicle system. The power supply control system is configured to control one or more power supplies on board the vehicle system and to receive the vehicle data from the at least one sensor. The power supply control system is also configured to compare the vehicle data to one or more criteria relating to vehicle movement, and, in response to a determination that the vehicle data meets the criteria and receipt of a signal indicative of the vehicle system carrying (or being configured to carry) cargo of a predetermined material, generate a control signal to deactivate at least one of the power supplies.