A method for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) includes the steps of:—determining a prevailing speed of the vehicle (100); automatically activating a warning flasher function (275) on the basis of determined values pertaining to at least some combination of conditions based on: vehicle speed (V) and gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling, and the speed of the vehicle (100) compared with surrounding traffic and the gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling. Also a computer program product including program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method is disclosed. Also a system for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) and to a motor vehicle (100) which is equipped with the system are disclosed.

A method for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) includes the steps of:—determining a prevailing speed of the vehicle (100); automatically activating a warning flasher function (275) on the basis of determined values pertaining to at least some combination of conditions based on: vehicle speed (V) and gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling, and the speed of the vehicle (100) compared with surrounding traffic and the gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling. Also a computer program product including program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method is disclosed. Also a system for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) and to a motor vehicle (100) which is equipped with the system are disclosed.

A wearable device is provided that includes a receiver, a processor, and a transducer. The receiver is configured to receive speed limit data indicative of a posted speed limit corresponding to a route or road upon which the wearable device is traveling. The processor is configured to compare the speed limit to a current speed of the wearable device and/or a vehicle in which the user wearing the wearable device is driving. The transducer is configured to deliver a haptic or other notification to a user upon which the wearable device is worn when the current speed exceeds the speed limit or exceeds the speed limit by a predetermined amount. As a result, safer driving and vehicle collision avoidance may be facilitated. Safe driving auto insurance discounts may be provided to drivers that use the safe driving or speed limit warning functionality discussed herein.

Because a road surface illumination apparatus is configured so as to include a vehicle state detector 3 configured to detect the traveling direction of a vehicle on the basis of vehicle information acquired by a vehicle information acquisition unit 2, and an illumination pattern selector 4 to select an illumination pattern expressing the traveling direction detected by the vehicle state detector 3 from among illumination patterns held therein and provided for traveling directions, and to cause an illumination device 7 to illuminate at least a road surface in a direction different from the traveling direction with the selected illumination pattern, the road surface illumination apparatus can provide a notification of the traveling direction of the vehicle intuitively to persons outside the vehicle who are existing in the direction other than the traveling direction.

Because a road surface illumination apparatus is configured so as to include a vehicle state detector 3 configured to detect the traveling direction of a vehicle on the basis of vehicle information acquired by a vehicle information acquisition unit 2, and an illumination pattern selector 4 to select an illumination pattern expressing the traveling direction detected by the vehicle state detector 3 from among illumination patterns held therein and provided for traveling directions, and to cause an illumination device 7 to illuminate at least a road surface in a direction different from the traveling direction with the selected illumination pattern, the road surface illumination apparatus can provide a notification of the traveling direction of the vehicle intuitively to persons outside the vehicle who are existing in the direction other than the traveling direction.

Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information to be displayed; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information to be displayed acquired by the acquisition unit.

Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information to be displayed; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information to be displayed acquired by the acquisition unit.

A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.

A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.

A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.