A computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may include identifying a vehicle operator and retrieving an associated vehicle operator profile. Operating data regarding operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be received that includes data from sensors disposed within the vehicle. When a request to enable an autonomous operation feature is received, (i) autonomous operation risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the autonomous operation feature based upon the received operating data, and (ii) operator risk levels associated with vehicle operation by the vehicle operator based upon the vehicle operator profile are determined. Autonomous operation feature enablement may be allowed based upon a comparison of (i) autonomous operation risk levels with (ii) operator risk levels. As a result, only safe autonomous feature engagement may be facilitated, and risk averse vehicle owners may receive insurance discounts based upon this safe autonomous feature engagement functionality.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving automated driving by testing for inputs during driving. In one embodiment, a method includes testing an input from a driver in a manual driving mode of a vehicle. The method also includes adapting a fixed time interval on a condition that a test result of the input satisfies criteria used to validate driver inputs. The method also includes monitoring, via an input system of the vehicle, for driver feedback according to the fixed time interval in an automated driving mode.

A vehicle driving assist system includes a steering wheel contact position detector, a steering torque detector, a driving mode setting calculator, and a steering override determiner. The driving mode setting calculator is configured to set a driving mode including a first driving assist mode, a second driving assist mode, and a manual driving mode. The driving mode setting calculator is configured, while traveling in a current driving mode that is the first driving assist mode or the second driving assist mode, to allow the current driving mode to continue in a case where the steering override determiner has determined that a steering torque detected by the steering torque detector is a false detection or to cause the driving mode to make a transition to the manual driving mode in a case where the steering override determiner has determined that the steering torque is a steering override intended by a driver.

An autonomous driving control device is capable of starting an autonomous driving control without an operation of a driver and reducing a possibility that the driver can not start manual driving. An autonomous driving control is switched to manual driving when a determination section determines that the amount of operation by the driver is equal to or greater than a first threshold, before a predetermined time elapses since the autonomous driving control is automatically started. An autonomous driving control is switched to a manual driving when the determination section determines that the amount of operation by the driver is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, after the predetermined time elapses.

A method for assignment of vehicle control includes receiving route data indicating a route between a starting location of a vehicle and a destination location, and determining an optimal vehicle configuration for the route based on a target vehicle speed and a hybrid torque split. The method further includes receiving a driver requested torque value and determining a passive pedal torque value based on the route data and vehicle powertrain data. The method further includes selectively assigning control of the vehicle to a vehicle system or to a driver of the vehicle based on the driver requested torque value and the passive pedal torque value.

A vehicular lane centering system is enabled responsive to speed of the vehicle exceeding a threshold speed and includes a camera and a processor. Based on processing of captured image data, the system determines position of a left lane delimiter and a right lane delimiter on the road. The system establishes a left safe zone delimiter based on the determined position of the left lane delimiter and a right safe zone delimiter based on the determined position of the right lane delimiter. With the system enabled, the system takes corrective action responsive to the vehicular lane centering system determining that the vehicle is at risk of unintentionally crossing the left safe zone delimiter or the right safe zone delimiter. When the system does not determine position of the left lane delimiter or the right lane delimiter for a first period of time, corrective action taken by the system is reduced.

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted. As a result, an insurance discount may be provided to risk averse customers that affirmatively share their vehicle data with an insurance provider, and promptly and remotely receive new versions of software that operate autonomous vehicle safety features.

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.