Techniques for automatic control of a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle may include a removable input device having various modes of operation. For example, a coupled mode of operation may control the vehicle when an operator is in an operator area of the vehicle, while a remote mode of operation may enable vehicle control when the operator is outside of the operator area. The vehicle may include object sensors to detect a target such as the removable input device or an operator device. Accordingly, the vehicle may automatically follow the target. The vehicle may also identify obstacles, in response to which manual control of the vehicle may at least temporarily be provided to the operator, after which automatic control may resume.

The present disclosure relates to an integrated control apparatus for an autonomous driving vehicle, in which operation for accelerating, braking, and steering of a vehicle is implemented through one integrated lever and buttons for starting and shifting of a vehicle are disposed on one case together with the integrated lever. Accordingly, the integrated control apparatus can be easily used for an autonomous driving vehicle.

A working vehicle includes an operator seat, an armrest arranged on a side of the operator seat, and a speed shifter to change a traveling speed. The armrest includes an operation lever to be swung back and forth to cause the speed shifter to perform acceleration and deceleration, and an operation switch to be pressed to cause the speed shifter to perform acceleration and deceleration.

A memory stores a plurality of steering angle characteristics including a first steering angle characteristic and a second steering angle characteristic. A steering angle characteristic selecting unit selects a selected steering angle characteristic from the steering angle characteristics stored in the memory. A driving control unit controls the steering angle of an autonomous-driving vehicle in accordance with the selected steering angle characteristic and a rightward or leftward operation amount of a mechanical operation unit of an autonomous-driving vehicle.

A steering control system adapted for use on a paving machine having one or more wheels and an automatic pivot steer mode. The preferred steering control system comprises a speed sensor adapted to determine a paving machine speed, a steering cylinder adapted to move between a straight forward position and a fully turned position, a steering cylinder sensor adapted to determine a steering cylinder position, a flow sharing valve in fluid communication with one or more of the one or more wheels and adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a controller adapted to communicate with the speed sensor, the steering cylinder sensor, and the flow sharing valve. The preferred steering control system is adapted to automatically open and close the flow sharing valve. Automatically moving the flow sharing valve between the open position and the closed position.

In one embodiment, a control system for a power wheelchair is provided allowing a user to change the type of input control device throughout a day, week, month, and/or year as their physical and/or mental condition changes. This includes changing input controls from proportional to switch-type devices. A user may start the day when they are not tired with a proportional input control device like a proportional joystick. Then, as the day progresses and the user begins to experience fatigue or exhaustion, the user can change to a switch-type control device requiring less control and dexterity (e.g., less strength and energy) to effectively control the power wheelchair. The user can also start the day with a 4, 3, or 2 switch direction input control and later change to a single switch input control device with scanning. Other combinations are also possible.

A zero-turn vehicle including a mode selection interface, a memory and at least one controller is provided. The mode selection interface provides a mode section input for a user. The memory is used to store mode instructions relating to at least one operation mode. The at least one controller in communication with the mode selection interface and the memory, the at least one controller configured to selectively modify normal operating characteristics of the zero-turn vehicle based the mode selection input from the user by implementing the stored mode instructions associated with the mode selection input.

A construction machine that frequently changes between a forward and reverse direction of movement includes a system and method for operating the machine such that rotation of the operator seat can change the direction and speed of the machine's movement to minimize disorientation by the operator. The machine can be changed from moving in the forward direction to moving in the reverse direction, without changing the position of a propel lever or joystick that is used to control the direction and speed of the machine's movement. Rotation of the seat can be used to proportionally reduce the speed of the machine as the machine nears a threshold for changing direction. The joystick can be a dual axis lever that can move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The direction of movement and speed of the machine can depend on a combination of the joystick position and seat position.

A vehicle operating device including an operating member operable by a driver and configured to: issue, to a drive system, a command to apply a drive force in a forward direction when a first-direction operation of the operating member from its neutral position in a first direction is performed in a state in which the vehicle is at a stop or running forward; issue, to the drive system, a command to apply a drive force in a backward direction when a second-direction operation of the operating member from the neutral position in a second direction different from the first direction is performed in a state in which the vehicle is at a stop or running backward; and issue, to a brake system, a command to apply a braking force as an opposite-direction-operation-dependent braking force when the second-direction operation is performed in a state in which the vehicle is running forward.

A vehicle control station includes a hand rest and at least one micro-joystick positioned relative to the hand rest such that the hand rest is configured to locate an operator's hand and fingers in position to operate the at least one micro-joystick. A function enable switch is configured to activate the at least one micro-joystick.