Vehicle systems are disclosed. A vehicle system includes one or more sensors, a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a steering wheel actuator, an accelerator pedal actuator, and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the steering sensitivity adjusting unit. The controller includes at least one processor and at least one memory module storing computer readable and executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to detect an object based on output from the one or more sensors, and send to the steering sensitivity adjusting unit an instruction for adjusting a sensitivity of the steering wheel in response to detecting the object.

The pedal device includes a pedal portion which the operator depresses, a pedal effort detecting portion being configured to detect the magnitude of the pedal effort in the depression direction when the operator depresses the pedal portion and being configured to output a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal effort to the outside.

A control system for controlling at least one rotor of a rotorcraft, the control system comprising at least one piloting member suitable for operating at least one control for controlling movements of the at least one rotor. Such a control system comprises: at least one memory enabling information representative of a predetermined control margin threshold to be stored; calculation means for calculating a current control margin, which margin is defined as being the difference between a current position and a limit of the control for controlling movements of the rotor(s); comparator means for comparing the current control margin with the predetermined control margin threshold; and a control unit for modifying an operating relationship of the control for controlling movements of the rotor(s) when the current control margin is less than or equal to the predetermined control margin.

A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.

An active accelerator pedal for a vehicle includes a pedal position sensor configured to detect a position of a pedal lever of the active accelerator pedal and to convert the position into a pedal position signal. The active accelerator pedal further includes an actuator configured to output haptic feedback to the pedal lever. The active accelerator pedal further includes an actuator controller configured to control the actuator. The pedal position sensor is configured to transmit pedal position signals to a central engine controller of the vehicle the engine controller is configured to control drive of the vehicle using the central engine controller, and the actuator controller is configured to receive a pedal position signal from the pedal position sensor.

A method for output of haptic information to a driver of a motor vehicle via a brake pedal includes ascertaining, based on signals of an environment-sensor system, imminence of a traffic situation that poses a potential risk to the motor vehicle, and modifying, during a driving of the motor vehicle, independent of a driver input, and in response to the ascertained imminence of the traffic situation, a characteristic of the brake pedal of the motor vehicle.

A vehicle operating apparatus including a stressed means configured to receive a force applied thereon by a driver for operating a vehicle; a connecting means configured such that a first end is mechanically connected to the stressed means and a second end is mechanically connected to a mounting surface of the vehicle; a sensor configured to sense information associated with the force applied by the driver and convert the information into an electrical signal, the vehicle is able to perform driving-related operations in response to the signal; and an actuating means configured to actuate the connecting means according to a current driving state of the vehicle so that the stressed means is maintained at a specific position.

The pedal device includes a pedal portion which the operator depresses, a pedal effort detecting portion being configured to detect the magnitude of the pedal effort in the depression direction when the operator depresses the pedal portion and being configured to output a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal effort to the outside.

A method for the operation of at least one actuator for a force controller of a device, for which a user of the device is provided with a haptic feedback message about at least one operating state of the device by a force, which is predetermined in its strength and acts by way of at least one actuator on the force controller, when the force controller is brought by the user to at least one predetermined point on a track of movement of the force controller. The at least one actuator is controlled in such a way that the strength of the force acting by way of the at least one actuator on the force controller is reduced after another predetermined period of time.

A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.