A vehicle includes one or more processors. The one or more processors include a controller. The controller is configured to: perform an acceleration suppression control, in which the acceleration suppression control is configured to suppress acceleration of the vehicle based on pressing of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle performed by a driver who drives the vehicle; and cancel the acceleration suppression control, when two or more operation elements provided in the vehicle are operated by the driver.

An apparatus, method and computer program product provide a map layer of one or more temporary dynamic obstructions. For example, the apparatus is configured to receive vehicle/driver behavior data associated with a vehicle at a portion of a road, determine a likelihood of a temporary dynamic obstruction existing proximate to the portion based on the vehicle behavior data, and update a datapoint of a map layer based on the likelihood. The datapoint indicates a state of existence of the temporary dynamic obstruction at the portion.

One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to detect the vehicle operational shortcomings related to fuel consumption by determining whether fuel used during operation of the vehicle is normal fuel use or wasted fuel use. Considerations of idling, speeding and inappropriate gear shifts are some ways to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to operator shortcomings. Communicating this information to the operator in real-time so adjustments can be made will improve vehicle fuel efficiency. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.

One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to detect the vehicle operational shortcomings related to fuel consumption by determining whether fuel used during operation of the vehicle is normal fuel use or wasted fuel use. Considerations of idling, speeding and inappropriate gear shifts are some ways to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to operator shortcomings. Communicating this information to the operator in real-time so adjustments can be made will improve vehicle fuel efficiency. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.

This gear shifting control device is equipped with a pedal operation detection unit (42) and a control unit (60). The control unit (60) includes a change rate calculation unit (60a) which calculates a time change rate (DFSA) of a pedal load detection value (FS), a load prediction unit (60b) which obtains a pedal load prediction value (FSC), a pedal load determination unit (60c) which determines whether or not the pedal load detection value (FS) reaches a first threshold value (FSCC), a predicted value determination unit (60d) which determines whether or not the pedal load prediction value (FSC) exceeds a second threshold value (FSCTC) when the pedal load detection value (FS) reaches the first threshold value (FSCC), and an output suppression control unit (60e) which performs output suppression control when it is determined that the pedal load prediction value (FSC) exceeds the second threshold value (FSCTC).

Automated drive assisting systems, methods, and programs acquire an expected travel route for a vehicle that includes an automated drive section in which automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted, and execute the automated drive control for the vehicle such that the vehicle travels along the expected travel route in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route. The systems, methods, and programs make a changeover from the automated drive control to manual drive based on a drive operation by a user in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in a travel direction of the vehicle which travels through the automated drive control in the automated drive section, the changeover being made before the branch point.

Aspects of the present invention relates to a vehicle control system (1) for controlling a vehicle transfer case (3). The transfer case (3) is operable in a high range and a low range. The vehicle control system (1) is configured to output a range change signal to implement a transfer case range change. The vehicle control system (1) also outputs a brake control signal for controlling vehicle braking during the range change. The present invention also relates to a vehicle (5) and a related method of operating a vehicle control system (1) and optionally also a transmission (7).

A driving mode switching device includes a determination section, a notification section, a detection section, and a control section. The determination section is configured to determine whether a state has occurred in which automatic driving needs to be terminated. The notification section is configured to notify a driver of the instruction for performing a switching operation as a predetermined operation of a vehicle in the case of determining, by the determination section, that the state has occurred in which the automatic driving needs to be terminated. The detection section is configured to detect the switching operation. The control section is configured to switch travelling from automatic driving to manual driving in the case of detecting the switching operation by the detection section.

A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a vehicle driving control portion configured to permit reverse driving of the vehicle in a reverse direction while the automatic transmission is placed in a forward-drive low-speed gear position, with the motor/generator being operated in a negative direction to generate a negative torque, and a transmission shifting control portion configured to implement a control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, when switching from forward driving of the vehicle to its reverse driving of the vehicle is required in the process of a shifting action of the automatic transmission to the forward-drive low-speed gear position. The transmission shifting control portion implements the control for promotion to establish the forward-drive low-speed gear position, according to a state of control of the engaging-side coupling device to be brought into its engaged state for establishing the forward-drive low-speed gear position.

A vehicle behavior control method is suitable for a vehicle behavior control device. The vehicle behavior control device includes: a lateral acceleration sensor, detecting lateral acceleration occurring in a vehicle body; a wheel speed sensor, detecting a wheel speed of a wheel; a steering angle sensor, detecting a steering angle of the wheel; a steering angle lateral acceleration calculation unit, calculating steering angle lateral acceleration from the wheel speed and the steering angle; and a yaw moment control unit, applying yaw moment to the vehicle body. In the vehicle behavior control method, when the lateral acceleration and the steering angle lateral acceleration meet a predetermined condition, a yaw moment directed inward in a turning direction of the vehicle body is applied by the yaw moment control unit.