Terrain assist apparatus and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a condition of a vehicle associated with driving on sand. The vehicle controller is also to generate, via an output device, information instructing a vehicle occupant to configure a driving mode of the vehicle that is associated with controlling vehicle speed. The vehicle controller is also to control a parameter of the vehicle based on a setting of the driving mode to resolve the condition.

The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.

A driving control system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a steering device, a steering operation amount sensor that detects a steering operation amount of the driver, and an abnormality determining device configured to determine whether the driver is in an abnormal state. The driving control system includes: an actuator configured to adjust a turning state quantity; and an electronic control unit configured to calculate a target turning state quantity of the vehicle based on the steering operation amount and control the turning state quantity adjusting device. The electronic control unit is configured to correct the target turning state quantity such that a magnitude of the target turning state quantity does not exceed a predetermined allowable range and to control the actuator based on the corrected target turning state quantity when the driver is in the abnormal state.

A system and method for mitigating or avoiding risks due to hazards encountered by platooning vehicles. The system and method involve interrogating, with one or more sensors, a space radially extending from a lead vehicle as the lead vehicle travels over the road surface, perceiving the environment within the space, ascertaining a hazard caused by an object in the space, and causing a following vehicle, operating in a platoon with the lead vehicle, to take a preemptive braking action to avoid or mitigate risks resulting from the hazard caused by the object in the space.

Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, vehicle onboard systems supply various data (breadcrumbs) to a Network Operations Center (NOC), which in turn provides data (authorization data) to the vehicles to facilitate platooning. The NOC suggests vehicles for platooning based on, for example, travel forecasts and analysis of relevant roadways to identify platoonable roadway segments. The NOC also can provide traffic, roadway, weather, or system updates, as well as various instructions. In some aspects, a mesh network ensures improved communication among vehicles and with the NOC. In some aspects, a vehicle onboard system may provide the authorization data.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a cutoff duration estimation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle model module having a vehicle profile model of the vehicle, a front vehicle detection module having a front vehicle deceleration model operable to determine a rate of close between the vehicle and a front vehicle, and a cutoff duration estimation system operable to determine an amount of time an engine of the vehicle will be operating in an overrun condition based on the vehicle profile model and the front vehicle deceleration model.

Motorcycles can become unstable when operating at high speeds and at high cornering levels. For example, they can exhibit an oscillation at the rear wheel commonly known as weave. A system and method is provided which utilizes a high-fidelity computer simulation model of a 2- or 3-wheel motorcycle to predict operating states such as yaw rate, lateral acceleration and roll angle for a stable motorcycle at a given speed and steer angle. The operating state of a physical motorcycle can be measured and compared to that of the model at every instant in time to determine if the operating state of the physical motorcycle differs from that of the simulation model in such a way as to indicate loss of stability. The nature of that difference can then be used to intervene in the operation of the motorcycle independent of driver actions by application of brakes, modulating the engine torque or applying torques to urge the steering system in a corrective direction. Thus by comparing the physical response of the motorcycle to that of the computer model in an on-board controller these interventions can be applied at a time and intensity to stabilize the motorcycle and prevent a loss of control.

A vehicle control apparatus controls a vehicle that is performing automated driving traveling. The vehicle control apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to acquire deceleration information of another vehicle by communication with the other vehicle; a setting unit configured to set, for a deceleration of the vehicle, a range of an allowable deceleration that allows a vehicle speed change within a predetermined range; a determination unit configured to compare the deceleration of the vehicle with a deceleration included in the deceleration information and determine whether deceleration control of matching the deceleration of the vehicle with the deceleration of the other vehicle can be performed within the range of the allowable deceleration; and a control unit configured to perform the deceleration control of the vehicle based on a determination result of the determination unit.

A method of managing the deceleration of a vehicle. The method comprises receiving a brake command and determining an actual rate of deceleration of the vehicle. The method further comprises monitoring the speed of the vehicle as the vehicle decelerates in response to the brake command. The method still further comprises modifying the amount of brake torque being applied to one or more wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined threshold, by first decreasing the amount of brake torque being applied and then subsequently increasing the amount of brake torque being applied to bring the vehicle to a standstill. A system for implementing the methodology is also provided.

A system and method for operating an automatic start/stop system in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and a torque converter with an impeller disconnect clutch is disclosed. A controller may implement an engine start/stop system by, at appropriate times, stopping engine by halting fuel and restarting engine when propulsion is needed. During an engine start/stop event, the engine is automatically shut down and the impeller clutch of the torque converter may be disengaged to decouple the impeller and the engine to provide for fuel and emissions savings.