Vehicle-mounted device includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (8) having at least one accelerometer or gyroscope, a GPS receiver (6), a camera (10) positioned to obtain unobstructed images of an area exterior of the vehicle (16) and a control system (20) coupled to these components. The control system (20) re-calibrates each accelerometer or gyroscope using signals obtained by the GPS receiver (6), and derives information about objects in the images obtained by the camera (10) and location of the objects based on data from the IMU (8) and GPS receiver (6). A communication system (18) communicates the information derived by the control system (20) to a location separate and apart from the vehicle (16). The control system (20) includes a processor that provides a location of the camera (10) and a direction in which the camera (10) is imaging based on data from the IMU corrected based on data from the GPS receiver (6), for use in creating the map database (12). (FIG. 2)

A method of monitoring a vehicle includes monitoring a precollision fuel level, detecting a collision event, and detecting a vehicle orientation based at least on the precollision fuel level and a postcollision fuel level. The method can be executed by a controller having a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions where the processor is programmed to monitor the precollision fuel level, detect the collision event, and detect the vehicle orientation based on at least a precollision fuel level and a postcollision fuel level.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine (10), a first motor generator (MG1), a second motor generator (MG2), a transmission unit (power transmission unit) (40), a differential unit (50), a clutch (CS) and a mechanical oil pump (501). The hybrid vehicle is able to switch between series-parallel mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the transmission unit and the differential unit and series mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the clutch. The differential unit (50) is a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear (S2) connected to the first motor generator (MG1), a ring gear (R2) connected to the second motor generator (MG2), and a carrier (CA2) connected to a ring gear (R1) that is an output element of the transmission unit (40). The mechanical oil pump (501) is driven by power that is transmitted from the carrier (CA2) of the differential unit.

A display control device is configured to include a pedal operation detecting unit to detect a pedal operation of a vehicle, and a display mode switching unit to switch a display mode of a meter, out of meters displayed on an instrument panel of the vehicle, whose presentation information is related to the pedal operation depending on a detection result of the pedal operation by the pedal operation detecting unit.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A controller for a cargo handling system. The controller includes a touch screen display, a processor, and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: present multiple cargo operating modes to an operator via the touch screen display; responsive to receiving a selection of a cargo operating mode from the multiple cargo operating modes, present a set of operations associated with the cargo operating mode to the operator; and, responsive to receiving a selection of at least one operation from the set of operations associated with the cargo operating mode, sending at least one command to the cargo handling system.

A through-the-road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introducing 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 trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, 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.

In one aspect, an apparatus for control of a driving torque for smooth riding on an uneven road is provided that comprises a pitch motion reduction objective function, a longitudinal acceleration reduction objective function, and a jerk reduction objective function are calculated using an acceleration value and a jerk constraint of a vehicle, and weights are reflected in these objective functions to calculate a final driving torque and applied to the vehicle, thereby reducing pitch motion, longitudinal acceleration, and jerk.

A method for detecting damage to an outer shell of a vehicle. The vehicle is of a specific type with specific vehicle data. Damage can be classified into at least two groups. Damage of a first group has a greater severity of the damage than damage of a second group. An acceleration of the vehicle is ascertained and/or a rotation rate of the vehicle is ascertained. Damage of the first group is ascertained if the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value of the acceleration and/or if the rotation rate of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value of the rotation rate. The acceleration and/or the rotation rate are compared to acceleration values and/or rotation rate values learned for the specific vehicle type. Damage of the second group is ascertained if damage is detected as a function of the comparison to the learned values.