An automatic speed control including repeated autonomous establishment of a setpoint variable regarding a setpoint speed and/or a setpoint acceleration of the vehicle in such a way that the setpoint speed is smaller or equal to a specified or established maximum speed and/or the setpoint acceleration of the vehicle remains smaller or equal to a specified or established maximum acceleration controlling at least one vehicle component by taking into account the autonomously newly established setpoint variable so that an actual speed of the vehicle corresponds to the setpoint speed and/or an actual acceleration of the vehicle corresponds to the setpoint acceleration; and establishing the maximum speed and/or the maximum acceleration by taking into account a measured and/or estimated temperature of a component of a wheel brake caliper and/or a driving variable that is relevant for overheating of the component of the wheel brake caliper.

A vehicular breaking force control system includes: a plurality of actuators capable of generating a braking force for a vehicle; a coasting state detection unit configured to detect that a coasting state has been established; a target braking force calculation unit configured to calculate a target braking force on the basis of a state of the vehicle when the coasting state detection unit detects that the coasting state has been established; and a braking force distribution control unit configured to determine a distribution braking force that is a braking force to be caused to be generated by each actuator, such that the distribution braking force is equal to or less than a braking force generable by the actuator and a sum of the distribution braking forces is equal to the target braking force, and to perform control of causing each actuator to generate the distribution braking force.

A control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle is configured to acquire wheel speed differences, which are differences between wheel speeds of respective wheels and a reference speed, and execute traction control of causing a braking device to apply braking forces to wheels having wheel speed differences equal to or more than a predetermined control start value, the control apparatus being configured to, when a temperature of an actuator in a hydraulic circuit of the braking device is equal to or higher than a predetermined first temperature threshold value, select, as the reference speed, a wheel speed higher than a wheel speed that is selected as the reference speed when the temperature of the actuator is lower than the first temperature threshold value.

A method for improving operating a vehicle that includes an accelerator pedal is disclosed. In one example, the method assesses a vehicle for accelerator pedal degradation and applies control actions to the vehicle is accelerator pedal degradation is determined. The control actions may include adjusting a throttle position and adjusting vehicle brakes.

A method of increasing engine braking of an engine for a vehicle, the method including: determining the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle over a period; determining the energy output from a drivetrain of the vehicle over the period; comparing the change in kinetic energy to the energy output; and increasing the engine braking of the vehicle when the change in kinetic energy is greater than the energy output over the period.

A vehicle control system includes a central ECU configured to calculate target outputs of actuators, and relay devices each disposed in a communication path between the central ECU and a corresponding actuator among the actuators. The relay devices include a specific relay device capable of communicating with a specific actuator related to driving control, braking control, or steering control of a vehicle. The specific relay device among the relay devices includes a specific abnormality diagnosis unit configured to diagnose an abnormality in the specific relay device, and a backup calculation unit capable of calculating a control amount of the specific actuator coupled to the specific relay device. A relay device other than the specific relay device among the relay devices does not have a self-diagnosis function.

A brake temperature monitoring system configured to monitor at least one of a rotor and hydraulic fluid of a brake mechanism for a vehicle. The system including a controller including a processor and an electronic storage medium, a vehicle velocity sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and a pre-programmed module. The vehicle velocity sensor is configured to output a velocity signal to the processor. The ambient temperature sensor is configured to output an ambient temperature signal to the processor. The model is pre-programmed into the electronic storage medium, and is adapted to estimate the temperature of at least one of the rotor and the hydraulic fluid. The estimation is based on an ambient air temperature, and a pre-established relationship between a conductive heat transfer factor and a convective heat transfer factor. The convective heat transfer factor is a function of vehicle velocity.

An automated parking system is equipped with an estimation unit that estimates a state of a target vehicle, and a setting unit that sets a running mode of the target vehicle as a low-risk running mode in which a risk regarding the target vehicle is reduced, on condition that the target vehicle be in a low-temperature state.

Systems and methods for assessing runway conditions are disclosed. The system may comprise a brake control unit having an internal inertial sensor. The brake control unit may be configured to calculate a runway coefficient of friction to assess surface conditions of the runway. The brake control unit may monitor braking in an aircraft to detect a skid condition. In response to detecting the skid condition, the brake control unit may calculate an aircraft deceleration of the aircraft with the inertial sensor. The brake control unit may estimate the runway coefficient of friction based on the aircraft deceleration, an aerodynamic drag force of the aircraft, and a thrust reverse force of the aircraft.

Systems and methods for assessing runway conditions are disclosed. The system may comprise a brake control unit having an internal inertial sensor. The brake control unit may be configured to calculate a runway coefficient of friction to assess surface conditions of the runway. The brake control unit may monitor braking in an aircraft to detect a skid condition. In response to detecting the skid condition, the brake control unit may calculate an aircraft deceleration of the aircraft with the inertial sensor. The brake control unit may estimate the runway coefficient of friction based on the aircraft deceleration, an aerodynamic drag force of the aircraft, and a thrust reverse force of the aircraft.