A method communicates an intention of an automated vehicle to at least one road user. For a planned maneuver that may adversely impact the other road user, an intention in relation to the carrying out of the maneuver is associated with the planned maneuver and the intention is communicated to the other road user.

In embodiments of the present invention, an Alert Controller coupled to an Internal Digital Communication System (IDCS) of a vehicle monitors vehicle states based on messages received over the IDCS and generates audio alerts projected external to the vehicle based on the vehicle states. Multiple vehicle states may be defined, with each vehicle state associated with receipt of one or more types of messages in a particular sequence and/or within a particular timeframe. Different audio alerts may be assigned to different vehicle states. The audio alerts may be customizable such as by the vehicle manufacturer and/or vehicle owner/operator. An alert selection interface may be provided in the vehicle for user-selection of audio alerts.

A travelling support apparatus includes: a communication section that communicates with a vehicle around an own vehicle; a state determination section that determines whether a driver is capable of driving appropriately; a path setting section that sets an evacuation path for bringing the own vehicle to an emergency stop on the basis of a certain algorithm when the state determination section determines that the driver is incapable of driving appropriately; an information acquisition section that acquires various types of information required for execution of the algorithm; an evacuation control section that performs evacuation traveling to bring the own vehicle to the emergency stop along the evacuation path set by the path setting section; and an information transmitting section that transmits, to the vehicle around the own vehicle via the communication section, information indicating that the own vehicle performs the evacuation traveling.

A travelling support apparatus includes: a communication section that communicates with a vehicle around an own vehicle; a state determination section that determines whether a driver is capable of driving appropriately; a path setting section that sets an evacuation path for bringing the own vehicle to an emergency stop on the basis of a certain algorithm when the state determination section determines that the driver is incapable of driving appropriately; an information acquisition section that acquires various types of information required for execution of the algorithm; an evacuation control section that performs evacuation traveling to bring the own vehicle to the emergency stop along the evacuation path set by the path setting section; and an information transmitting section that transmits, to the vehicle around the own vehicle via the communication section, information indicating that the own vehicle performs the evacuation traveling.

A system, method and storage medium for providing an emergency lighting includes generating, by a controller, a driving control signal; receiving, by a light source, the driving control signal; and emitting, by the light source, light based on the driving control signal. Intensity of the light emitted from the light source repeatedly ramps up and ramps down with a first period based on the driving control signal.

A system, method and storage medium for providing an emergency lighting includes generating, by a controller, a driving control signal; receiving, by a light source, the driving control signal; and emitting, by the light source, light based on the driving control signal. Intensity of the light emitted from the light source repeatedly ramps up and ramps down with a first period based on the driving control signal.

A passive infra-red pedestrian and animal detection and avoidance system and method for augmenting the operation of a vehicle on a roadway, especially for identifying potential pedestrian/vehicular and/or animal/vehicular collision danger for the vehicle in operation and adjusting the position and operation of the vehicle accordingly, includes at least one passive infra-red sensor array mounted on the vehicle in operative communication with an image processor tied into the operational system of the vehicle. The system detects, using thermal imaging and processing, the presence of people or animals that may be in or laterally crossing into the travel lane of the vehicle. The image processor analyzes the detection of a human thermal signature and/or an animal thermal signature, and determines if the detected thermal signature is moving, in what direction and at what speed, to assess any potential threat to the pedestrian, biker or occupant of the vehicle, and further whether any responsive action needs to be triggered in the vehicle's operation to avoid a collision.

A passive infra-red pedestrian and animal detection and avoidance system and method for augmenting the operation of a vehicle on a roadway, especially for identifying potential pedestrian/vehicular and/or animal/vehicular collision danger for the vehicle in operation and adjusting the position and operation of the vehicle accordingly, includes at least one passive infra-red sensor array mounted on the vehicle in operative communication with an image processor tied into the operational system of the vehicle. The system detects, using thermal imaging and processing, the presence of people or animals that may be in or laterally crossing into the travel lane of the vehicle. The image processor analyzes the detection of a human thermal signature and/or an animal thermal signature, and determines if the detected thermal signature is moving, in what direction and at what speed, to assess any potential threat to the pedestrian, biker or occupant of the vehicle, and further whether any responsive action needs to be triggered in the vehicle's operation to avoid a collision.

The present invention proposes an ECU and a lane departure warning system capable of improving safety of all traveling vehicles including a host vehicle by using an environment sensor to warn another vehicle about departure of the other vehicle from a lane.

An ECU (13) detects the departure from the lane. The ECU (13) determines whether another vehicle (100) leaves the lane on the basis of a detection signal from an environment sensor (11), and visually or aurally warns the other vehicle (100) in the case where the other vehicle (100) leaves the lane.

Method and control unit, for avoiding a potential collision between the vehicle and a Vulnerable Road User, VRU. The method comprises: predicting a future path of the vehicle; detecting the VRU and the position of the VRU; determining velocity of the detected VRU; predicting a future position of the detected VRU, based on the VRU position upon detection and the determined VRU velocity; and performing an action for avoiding a collision, when the predicted future position of the VRU is overlapping the predicted future path of the vehicle.