An automatic cruise control system for controlling at least a powertrain of a vehicle, the cruise control system being configured to automatically control a vehicle speed to a target speed determined based on a set speed and on information relating to a road topography along an expected travelling route of the vehicle. The automatic cruise control system is configured to: while automatically controlling the vehicle speed to the target speed, receive an indication that a slippery road condition applies or is expected to apply, in response to receiving said indication, activate a predefined slippery road condition driving mode in which predetermined restrictions apply, said restrictions relating to at least one of the vehicle speed, an allowable vehicle acceleration, and a gear selection of the powertrain, control at least the powertrain in accordance with the slippery road condition driving mode.

Method for controlling a powertrain (1) of a vehicle and a powertrain, which powertrain comprises a diesel engine (2), an electric generator (3), a generator drive (4), at least one electric motor (5, 6), at least one electric motor drive (7, 8), operator input devices (11), and a control system (12), wherein the control system (12) controls at least some of the parts of the powertrain (1) based on information obtained from the operator input devices (11) and at least one measuring signal obtained from the diesel engine (2), from the generator drive (4), and from the at least one electric motor drive (7, 8).

An autonomous vehicle can obtain sensor data. Upon determining that the autonomous vehicle is in a lane adjacent a shoulder, and there is an object in the shoulder, the autonomous vehicle can determine if performing a lane change maneuver out of the lane prior to the autonomous vehicle being positioned adjacent to the object is feasible. If it is, the lane change maneuver can be performed. If it is not, a nudge maneuver and/or a deceleration can be performed.

An embodiment driving assistance system for a vehicle includes a driving information provision unit configured to acquire and provide driving information of a traveling vehicle, a control unit configured to generate and output a control signal for driving assistance when it is determined the vehicle travels on a rough road based on the driving information of the vehicle provided by the driving information provision unit and it is determined that the vehicle is currently in a rough road traveling state, and a steering actuator configured to generate and apply a steering assistance force according to a control value of the control signal for the driving assistance output by the control unit to a steering wheel.

A processor unit (3) for model-based predictive control of a vehicle (1) taking into account an arrival time factor is configured to calculate a trajectory for the vehicle (1) based at least in part on at least one arrival time factor, with the trajectory including an entire route (20) to a specified destination (19) at which the vehicle (1) is to arrive, and with the at least one arrival time factor influencing an arrival time of the vehicle (1) at the specified destination (19). Additionally, the processor unit (3) is configured to optimize a section of the trajectory for the vehicle (1) for a sliding prediction horizon by executing a model-based predictive control (MPC) algorithm (13), where the MPC algorithm (13) includes a longitudinal dynamic model (14) of a drive train (7) of the vehicle (1) and a cost function (15) to be minimized.

A motion detection and interlock mechanism prevents unintended drive-off of a trailer still connected to a charging source, which could cause damage and/or injury if continued unimpeded. Trailer power for electrical components is a high voltage AC connection, typically between 277-480 VAC. Forced disconnection of an engaged plug could damage the plug and receptacle, leave electrical conductive members unprotected, and cause a short circuit. Electrical connections to trailers may be made for powering electric TRUs (Transport Refrigeration Units) for refrigerated loads, and for charging a storage battery for powering the TRU over the road or even the tractor itself in the case of a hybrid/electric tractor. In configurations herein, an e-axle is provided on the trailer suspension, such that a driveaway prevention circuit reverse biases the wheels to prevent movement of the trailer while engaged with a charging outlet.

A vehicle with a hybrid drivetrain including a fuel-fed engine coupled to a first drive axle, an electric motor coupled to a second drive axle and an APU for providing electrical power at stopover locations, and further including a controller for determining a location of the vehicle, a location of a stopover location, determining a target SOC of a battery for operating the APU at the stopover location and operating a hybrid control system to provide the target SOC for the vehicle at the stopover location.

Industrial vehicles that include a speed sensor configured to generate a speed sensor signal, a payload sensor configured to generate a payload sensor signal, an inclination sensor configured to generate an inclination sensor signal, a wheel motor connected to a wheel of the industrial vehicle, and a controller. The wheel motor includes an electric retarder device for applying a retardation force to the wheel. The controller is configured to receive the speed sensor signal, receive the payload sensor signal, receive the inclination sensor signal, determine a required retardation force for the industrial vehicle based on the payload sensor signal and the inclination sensor signal, determine an available retardation force for the industrial vehicle based on the speed sensor signal, and generate an output indicating the required retardation force for the industrial vehicle relative to the available retardation force for the industrial vehicle.

A hybrid dump truck for surface mining, comprising a cyber-physical system including a sensing system and a control system, and a driving unit for performing autonomous driving of the dump truck along a travel path using at least the sensory data of the sensing system, wherein the closed cycle path is determined based on topographical data, wherein the control system is configured to control a cyclic energy level of the electric energy storage unit, wherein rates of change of power during autonomous or semi-autonomous driving of the hybrid dump truck from a predetermined reference point of the closed cycle path along said closed cycle path are controlled based on a desired velocity such as to reduce a difference in energy levels of the electric energy storage unit at the reference point of the closed cycle path.

It is advantageous for a vehicle to detect road wetness or related environmental conditions. This is particularly true for self-driving vehicles, which can then adjust the manner of automated operation of the vehicle to increase safety by reducing speed, braking earlier, adjusting internal estimates of road traction parameters, or adjusting autonomous operation in some other manner. It is difficult to directly measure road wetness (e.g., using spectroscopy or other methods directed at the road surface), however, it is possible to indirectly estimate road wetness based on road noise audio signals detected via one or more microphones disposed on the vehicle. The location of the microphones, the type of post-processing applied to the audio signals, or other factors can be adapted to increase the useful road wetness-related content of such audio signals while reducing the presence of engine noise, road noise, or other confounding signals.