A control method for improving fuel efficiency in an adaptive cruise control system includes: setting a target velocity profile based on a current velocity and position when a vehicle is driven by the adaptive cruise control system; determining, by the controller, whether the preceding vehicle exists while driving by the target velocity profile; comparing, by the controller, a minimum distance for preventing a collision between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle in a case of applying the target velocity profile with a first distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle when the preceding vehicle exists; and performing, by the controller, fuel efficiency driving of the following vehicle when the minimum distance is larger than the first distance and performing driving of the following vehicle according to the target velocity profile when the minimum distance is smaller than the first distance.

In one embodiment, speeds of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) are captured in response to a series of speed control commands issued at different points in time represented by a series of command cycles. For each of the command cycles, a first speed-changing rate is calculated based on a corresponding speed of the ADV and a second speed-changing rate is calculated based on the corresponding speed and a corresponding speed control command using a predetermined algorithm or function. A unit gain of speed control is determined using a cost function based on the first speed-changing rates and the second speed-changing rates, such that the cost representing a difference between the first speed-changing rates and the second speed-changing rates. The unit gain is then utilized to generate subsequent speed control commands for operating the ADV.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a specification unit configured to specify a speed of an object located in front of an own vehicle and a distance between the object and the own vehicle, a calculation unit configured to calculate a target speed of the own vehicle on the basis of the speed of the object specified by the specification unit and a value based on the distance, and a traveling control unit configured to control traveling of the own vehicle on the basis of the target speed calculated by the calculation unit.

A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle having a plurality of wheels. The vehicle speed control system is configured to automatically control the speed of the vehicle in dependence on an input target set-speed. The system carries out a method that includes: applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels; receiving a user input of a target set-speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and applying torque to the at least one of the plurality of wheels for propelling the vehicle at a vehicle control speed. The system further controls the vehicle control speed as a function of at least one of the instantaneous vehicle speed and the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling.

A control method for improving fuel efficiency in an adaptive cruise control system includes: setting a target velocity profile based on a current velocity and position when a vehicle is driven by the adaptive cruise control system; determining, by the controller, whether the preceding vehicle exists while driving by the target velocity profile; comparing, by the controller, a minimum distance for preventing a collision between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle in a case of applying the target velocity profile with a first distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle when the preceding vehicle exists; and performing, by the controller, fuel efficiency driving of the following vehicle when the minimum distance is larger than the first distance and performing driving of the following vehicle according to the target velocity profile when the minimum distance is smaller than the first distance.

An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.

An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a specification unit configured to specify a speed of an object located in front of an own vehicle and a distance between the object and the own vehicle, a calculation unit configured to calculate a target speed of the own vehicle on the basis of the speed of the object specified by the specification unit and a value based on the distance, and a traveling control unit configured to control traveling of the own vehicle on the basis of the target speed calculated by the calculation unit.

An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.

An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.