A vehicle control system has a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system 28, a transmission controller 30, a steering controller 48, a brakes controller 62 and a suspension controller 82. These subsystem controllers are each operable in a plurality of subsystem modes, and are all connected to a vehicle mode controller 98 which controls the modes of operation of each of the subsystem controllers so as to provide a number of driving modes for the vehicle. Each of the modes corresponds to a particular driving condition or set of driving conditions, and in each mode each of the functions is set to the function in mode most appropriate to those conditions.

An in-vehicle network system includes a plurality of controllers configured to perform control of a vehicle, a plurality of transfer paths connected to the controllers, a relay device configured to relay data between the transfer paths, the relay device being connected to the transfer paths, a vehicle state detection unit configured to detect a predetermined state of the vehicle, a first specifying unit configured to specify the controller that transmits data with a low transmission priority in the predetermined state detected by the vehicle state detection unit or a transfer path other than a transfer path that transfers data related to the predetermined state detected by the vehicle state detection unit, and a first communication controller configured to cause the controller specified by the first specifying unit to suppress communication of data or suppress communication of data to the transfer path specified by the first specifying unit.

A wheel based vehicle configured to travel along a roadway environment, the wheel based vehicle comprising: a first independent suspension element, a second independent suspension element, at least one electromagnetic sensing device, and processing circuitry. The first independent suspension element is configured to service a first wheel with a first suspension performance. The second independent suspension element configured to service a second wheel with a second suspension performance. The at least one electromagnetic sensing device is disposed and configured to capture image data of the roadway environment. The processing circuitry is configured to: identify, based on the captured image data and vehicle motion data, first future predictions of first drive situations to be accommodated, and second future predictions of second drive situations to be avoided; and accommodate the first future drive situations by selection of a third suspension performance for the first independent suspension element.

A lookahead vehicle suspension system comprises a first independently adjustable suspension system associated with a front wheel; a second independently adjustable suspension system associated with a rear wheel; at least one detector configured to at least assist in delivering electrical signals relating to a front wheel roadway concern, the front wheel roadway concern relating to a roadway defect; and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, in advance of the rear wheel encountering the roadway defect, both vehicle motion data and the electrical signals, and identify, based on the vehicle motion data and the electrical signals, adjustments with associated timing to be made to the second independently adjustable suspension system to accommodate the encounter of the rear wheel with the roadway defect.

A vehicle configured to move along a roadway that has an upcoming roadway concern located in front of a front wheel of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: an independently adjustable suspension system; at least one capture element configured to capture image data corresponding to the upcoming roadway concern; and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on current drive control function settings, and the captured image data and vehicle motion data: whether to automatically adjust the independently adjustable suspension system to accommodate an encounter with the upcoming roadway concern, whether to deliver for the driver an indication associated with the upcoming roadway concern, and whether to automatically modify at least one of the current drive control function settings to avoid the upcoming roadway concern.

A lookahead vehicle suspension system comprises a first independently adjustable suspension system associated with a front wheel; a second independently adjustable suspension system associated with a rear wheel; at least one detector configured to at least assist in delivering electrical signals relating to a front wheel roadway concern, the front wheel roadway concern relating to a roadway defect; and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, in advance of the rear wheel encountering the roadway defect, both vehicle motion data and the electrical signals, and identify, based on the vehicle motion data and the electrical signals, adjustments with associated timing to be made to the second independently adjustable suspension system to accommodate the encounter of the rear wheel with the roadway defect.

A vehicle configured to move along a roadway that has an upcoming roadway concern located in front of a front wheel of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: an independently adjustable suspension system; at least one capture element configured to capture image data corresponding to the upcoming roadway concern; and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on current drive control function settings, and the captured image data and vehicle motion data: whether to automatically adjust the independently adjustable suspension system to accommodate an encounter with the upcoming roadway concern, whether to deliver for the driver an indication associated with the upcoming roadway concern, and whether to automatically modify at least one of the current drive control function settings to avoid the upcoming roadway concern.

A wheel based vehicle configured to travel along a roadway environment, the wheel based vehicle comprising: a first independent suspension element, a second independent suspension element, at least one electromagnetic sensing device, and processing circuitry. The first independent suspension element is configured to service a first wheel with a first suspension performance. The second independent suspension element configured to service a second wheel with a second suspension performance. The at least one electromagnetic sensing device is disposed and configured to capture image data of the roadway environment. The processing circuitry is configured to: identify, based on the captured image data and vehicle motion data, first future predictions of first drive situations to be accommodated, and second future predictions of second drive situations to be avoided; and accommodate the first future drive situations by selection of a third suspension performance for the first independent suspension element.

An active suspension system senses roadway defects and adjusts an active and controllable suspension system of the vehicle before tires come in contact with the defect. The active suspension system identifies a type of defect or debris, e.g., pothole, bump, object, etc., along with the size, width, depth, and/or height information of the defect to more accurately control operation of the suspension system to prepare for, or avoid contact with the roadway defects and obstacles. Imaging techniques are employed to identify the defect or debris. Operation of a serviced cruise control system is controlled to enhance passenger safety and comfort.

An in-vehicle network system includes a plurality of controllers configured to perform control of a vehicle, a plurality of transfer paths connected to the controllers, a relay device configured to relay data between the transfer paths, the relay device being connected to the transfer paths, a vehicle state detection unit configured to detect a predetermined state of the vehicle, a first specifying unit configured to specify the controller that transmits data with a low transmission priority in the predetermined state detected by the vehicle state detection unit or a transfer path other than a transfer path that transfers data related to the predetermined state detected by the vehicle state detection unit, and a first communication controller configured to cause the controller specified by the first specifying unit to suppress communication of data or suppress communication of data to the transfer path specified by the first specifying unit.