An apparatus for controlling a towing mode of an electric vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a first sensor that measures a speed of the electric vehicle and a second sensor that measures a gradient of a road on which the electric vehicle is driven. A controller detects a reference output of the electric vehicle based on the speed and the gradient of the road and detects a towing weight of the electric vehicle based on an excess rate of a current output with respect to the reference output. The towing mode of the electric vehicle is then executed based on the detected towing weight.

A method of performing a towing process by a towing vehicle (10) involves activating a towing mode (S1) and adapting a vehicle speed of the towing vehicle to a towing speed (S2). A camera system (100) for recognizing a towing process includes at least one camera (12) arranged on the rear of a vehicle, for detecting at least one sub-region located behind the vehicle, and an image processing device (16) configured to recognize a towing device (14) in detected image data, whereby a towing mode may be activated and/or terminated.

Systems and methods are provided for vehicle battery charge reduction. A hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine; an electric motor; a battery electrically coupled to the electric motor; a battery charger electrically coupled to the battery and mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine; one or more sensors, wherein each sensor provides a respective sensor signal, wherein each sensor signal represents a respective current operating condition of the hybrid electric vehicle; and a computing component configured to: perform a first comparison of a state-of-charge of the battery to a charge threshold, perform a second comparison of one or more of the current vehicle operating conditions to respective nominal vehicle operating conditions, wherein none of the vehicle operating conditions describe a condition of the battery, and reduce charging of the battery based on the first comparison and the second comparison.

A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically adapting vehicle acceleration responsive to a cruise control setpoint acceleration associated with a detected speed limit, and a drive setpoint acceleration based on the cruise control setpoint acceleration, wherein a cruise controller determines a distance control setpoint acceleration based on a detected vehicle distance from a vehicle traveling ahead, and wherein the drive setpoint acceleration is limited by the distance control setpoint acceleration.

A method of performing a towing process by a towing vehicle (10) involves activating a towing mode (S1) and adapting a vehicle speed of the towing vehicle to a towing speed (S2). A camera system (100) for recognizing a towing process includes at least one camera (12) arranged on the rear of a vehicle, for detecting at least one sub-region located behind the vehicle, and an image processing device (16) configured to recognize a towing device (14) in detected image data, whereby a towing mode may be activated and/or terminated.

The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling operation of an articulated vehicle combination (AVC), the AVC comprising a tractor unit comprising a primary prime mover for propulsion of the AVC, a first trailer unit coupled to the tractor unit by a first articulated coupling, a dolly comprising a secondary prime mover, the dolly being coupled to the first trailer unit by a second articulated coupling, and a second trailer unit coupled to the dolly by a third articulated coupling, the method comprising determining at least one property indicative of a stability of the AVC; comparing the property with a predetermined property specific range; and controlling the secondary prime mover to generate a propulsion torque for the AVC when the property is within the predetermined property specific range.

A method for the computer-aided estimation or determination of a value for the total mass of a vehicle system, comprising a towing vehicle and possibly at least one trailer coupled to the towing vehicle, wherein physical data relating to the vehicle system, which change depending on a load of the vehicle system and a number of trailers coupled to the towing vehicle are captured, and a first value for the total mass of the vehicle system is estimated or determined as part of a first estimation or determination at a first point in time, in particular irrespective of the physical data, wherein the first value is retained as a valid value for the total mass of the vehicle system or is used as an initial value for a further determination or estimation of the total mass of the vehicle system if it has been identified.

A hitch angle module determines a hitch angle based on an input from at least one of a vehicle rear camera and a hitch angle sensor. The hitch angle is an angle between a longitudinal centerline of a trailer and a longitudinal centerline of a vehicle. A trailer load sensor measures a load on a trailer hitch of the vehicle. A trailer wheel speed sensor measures a wheel speed of the trailer. A trailer dimension module determines at least one of a width of the trailer, a mass of the trailer, a drawbar length of the trailer, a height of the trailer, and a trailer hitching length of the vehicle based on at least one of the hitch angle, the trailer load, and the trailer wheel speed. The trailer hitching length is a distance from a rear axle of the vehicle to a distal end of the trailer hitch.

A control system for a vehicle for determining whether a trailer is attached to the vehicle, the system being configured to receive an input of pitch data for the vehicle and to determine from the pitch data whether a trailer is attached to the vehicle.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing a variation of force between a trailer and a towing vehicle and for maintaining the performance of the towing vehicle when the trailer is attached to it. A trailer may be configured to attach to a towing vehicle. The trailer may comprise a load sensor configured to detect a towing force between the trailer and the towing vehicle and to generate a load signal based on the towing force. The trailer may also comprise a control system coupled to the load sensor that includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The motor may be configured to apply a propulsive force to the trailer. The control system may be configured to receive the load signal and to decrease the propulsive force based on the load signal. The increasing or decreasing of the propulsive force may reduce the towing force.