Among other things, techniques are described for receiving, from at least one sensor of a vehicle, sensor data associated with a surface along a path to be traveled by a vehicle; using a surface classifier to determine a classification of the surface based on the sensor data; determining, based on the classification of the surface, drivability properties of the surface; planning, based on the drivability properties of the surface, a behavior of the vehicle when driving near the surface or on the surface; and controlling the vehicle based on the planned behavior.

A method of operating a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, includes the steps of receiving a message from roadside infrastructure via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include the steps of receiving a message from another vehicle via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system.

A computer-implemented method for controlling a vehicle comprises: receiving tracking data associated with a surrounding environment of the vehicle; detecting, based upon the tracking data, an object in the surrounding environment of the vehicle; determining a location of the object; determining, based on navigation assistance data, whether the location of the object is at least partially within a classified area in the surrounding environment; and configuring a control system of the vehicle to: initiate, based upon determining that the location of the object is not at least partially within the classified area, a first collision avoidance response procedure for responding to the object; and initiate, based upon determining that the location of the object is at least partially within the classified area, a second collision avoidance response procedure for responding to the object, the second collision avoidance response procedure different from the first collision avoidance response procedure.

A message can be received from a first object. The message can include information about a position of the first object. An electromagnetic energy can be caused to be transmitted in a direction of the first object at a time in which the first object is in motion. A reflection of the electromagnetic energy can be received from the direction of the first object. A first possible position of a second object can be determined based on the reflection of the electromagnetic energy having traveled entirely along a path defined by a line formed by the first object and the vehicle. A second possible position of the second object can be determined based on the reflection of the electromagnetic energy having traveled along a path outside of the line. An actual position of the second object being the second possible position of the second object can be determined.

Systems, components, and methodologies are provided for improvements in operation of automotive vehicles by enabling monitoring analysis and reaction to subtle sources of information that aid in prediction and response of vehicle control systems across a range of automation levels. Such systems, components, and methodologies include wheel-turn detection equipment for detecting a wheel angle of another vehicle to trigger a vehicle control system to perform an operation based on the detected wheel angle of the other vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling at least one drive assistance system of a motor vehicle, a device for carrying out the steps of this method and a system including such a device. The disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle including such a device or such a system.

Aspects of the technology relate to exception handling for a vehicle. For instance, a current trajectory for the vehicle and sensor data corresponding to one or more objects may be received. Based on the received sensor data, projected trajectories of the one or more objects may be determined. Potential collisions with the one or more objects may be determined based on the projected trajectories and the current trajectory. One of the potential collisions that is earliest in time may be identified. Based on the one of the potential collisions, a safety-time-horizon (STH) may be identified. When a runtime exception occurs, before performing a precautionary maneuver to avoid a collision, waiting no longer than the STH for the runtime exception to resolve.

A vehicle operable by an unrestrained or uncontained rider and including a controller programmed to identify a trigger for an autonomous vehicle response. A sensor of the vehicle is in communication with the controller and operable to detect a predefined condition as the trigger. A rider sensor system in communication with the controller includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor, and a rider physical sensor to detect physical engagement between rider and vehicle. On the condition of the controller determining from the rider sensor system that there is positive rider engagement, the controller is programmed to instruct a first level of autonomous vehicle response to the one or more actuators to effect a change in the operation of the vehicle in response to identification of the trigger. In the absence of positive rider engagement determined by the controller, the first level of autonomous vehicle response is prohibited.

An automated valet parking system, an automated valet parking method, and an automated valet parking infrastructure, and a vehicle having an automated valet parking feature are disclosed. In particular, the vehicle can autonomously move to and park in a designated parking spot by communicating with the infrastructure. In addition, the vehicle can autonomously move to a pickup area from a parking spot by communicating with the infrastructure.

An alert detection system for a vehicle includes: a sensor unit; a controller; and an alert indication unit, the controller receiving at least one or more input signals from at least the sensor unit and determining one or more output indicators based on the at least one or more input signals, and the one or more output indicators including a first output indicator, a second output indicator, and a third output indicator which are Level 1 alert, Level 2 alert, and Level 3 alert, and the one or more output indicators being progressively actuated based on signal received from the at least one or more of input signals.