In a method for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag in a vehicle, an imminent collision is ascertained with the aid of a surroundings sensor, an error signal being generated if no signal is established in a collision sensor within a defined time window.

The present disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems and methods for automatically compressing digital image data. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems and methods for automatically compressing digital image data that is representative of a series of digital images.

Embodiments of an image cognition processing system are provided, including a method that includes detecting an object in a first field of view of a first image sensor, wherein the first image sensor is coupled to a first image cognition processor; generating tracking metadata for the object, wherein the generating is performed by the first image cognition processor, and the tracking metadata describes movement of the object; determining that the object is moving toward a second field of view of a second image sensor, wherein the second image sensor is located adjacent to the first image sensor; and providing the tracking metadata for the object to a second image cognition processor coupled to the second image sensor.

A driving assist apparatus of a vehicle of the invention sets a predicted route predicted for the vehicle to move and performs an attention operation to a driver when a time predicted for the vehicle to reach a point where a moving object crosses the predicted route is smaller than or equal to a threshold time. The apparatus predicts a radius of a route predicted for the vehicle to move as a left turn radius when the vehicle turns left and sets a route curved along an arc having the left turn radius as the predicted route. The apparatus predicts the radius of the route predicted for the vehicle to move as a right turn radius when the vehicle turns right and sets the route curved along the arc having the right turn radius as the predicted route.

The various embodiments herein provide a reverse gear sensor and alert device for a vehicle comprising an electronic hub, a motor and a tail. The electronic hub comprises a control electronics circuitry (CEC), an audible buzzer, and an ultrasonic buzzer. The electronic hub is installed over a base frame attached to a rear body of the vehicle and is connected with a power source. The tail is attached to the electronic hub through the motor. The tail comprises a plurality of illumination members fixed on an outer surface of the tail and are powered through the motor. The power supply allows a flow of current to the motor on detecting a reverse gear activation in the vehicle. The current flow energizes the motor leading to a protrusion of the tail out of the vehicle. The plurality of illumination members, the audible buzzer, and the ultrasonic buzzer are activated on activation of the reverse gear.

Systems and methods for modifying an attitude of a vehicle are disclosed. A user selects a trailer mode for a vehicle body. The selected trailer mode has a corresponding configuration. The vehicle determines one or more features about a trailer based on the selected trailer mode. The vehicle determines a location of a trailer hitch needed to achieve the configuration corresponding to the selected trailer mode. The location is based on the one or more features about the trailer. The vehicle actuates at least one active component in the vehicle's active suspension system to change the attitude of the vehicle body so as to cause the trailer hitch to be located in the determined location thereby causing the vehicle body to be in the selected trailer mode.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for generating data representative of vehicle operator distractions. More particularly, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for generating data representative of vehicle operator distractions based on vehicle interior image data.

A driving support apparatus estimates an expected route of an own vehicle, calculates an effective length of the expected route, and alerts a driver of the own vehicle when it is determined that there exists an object which crosses a part within the effective length within a predetermined time. A formula of a circle with a radius of an estimated turning radius is used for an expected route formula expressing the expected route. Once it is determined that the own vehicle is trying to start turning left or right, the driving support apparatus calculates a turning angle of the own vehicle, and calculates the effective length of the expected route using a value based on a product of the estimated turning radius and a remaining turning angle which is an angle obtained by subtracting the turning angle from a predetermined angle.

An image of the nearby surroundings of a user's vehicle is displayed, which includes images of the user's vehicle and threshold lines that define a range of distance from the user's vehicle. The image of the nearby surroundings of the user's vehicle is changed in accordance with a positional relationship between another vehicle and the range of distance.

A vehicle control apparatus is provided which includes position detecting means for detecting a position of a detected target using reflection information derived from a radar device 21, first determining means for determining whether the detected target is expected to be an obstacle not based on an intensity of a received reflected wave contained in the reflection information, and second determining means for determining whether an obstacle exists at the position, as detected by the position detecting means, or not using the image information. When the second determining means determines that the obstacle exists, and when a distance between an own vehicle and the detected target is smaller than a given threshold value, the detected target is determined as a target with which collision should be avoided regardless of a result of determination made by the first determining means. Alternatively, when the distance to the detected target is greater than the given threshold value, and when the first determining means determines that the detected target is expected to be the obstacle, the detected target is determined as a target with which collision should be avoided. This minimizes an unnecessary operation in control to avoid the collision when it is determined whether the target is an obstacle to movement of the own vehicle or not.