Disclosed is a solution to the use of a speed limiter in a motorcycle that has a high capacity for acceleration, including a method for limiting the speed of a motorcycle using precise parameters of speed, acceleration and required engine torque and a single control button to manage the smart activation and deactivation of the limiter and to input new speed limits V.sub.lim in a simple way. It thus allows the use of a speed-limiting system in a motorcycle that has a high power/weight ratio by avoiding the sources of interference with the riding and the effects liable to jeopardize its stability.

A driving support apparatus is provided with: a first controller programmed to perform a first control, which is to make a speed of a vehicle not to exceed a predetermined speed; a second controller programmed to perform a second control, which is a driving support control that is different from the first control; a preventer configured to prevent the second control on the basis of an operation of an accelerator by an occupant of the vehicle; and a prevention reducer configured to control the preventer to hardly prevent the second control if the first control is performed, in comparison with when the first control is not performed.

Disclosed is a solution to the use of a speed limiter in a motorcycle that has a high capacity for acceleration, including a method for limiting the speed of a motorcycle using precise parameters of speed, acceleration and required engine torque and a single control button to manage the smart activation and deactivation of the limiter and to input new speed limits V.sub.lim in a simple way. It thus allows the use of a speed-limiting system in a motorcycle that has a high power/weight ratio by avoiding the sources of interference with the riding and the effects liable to jeopardize its stability.

A device and a method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle equipped with brake cruise control when the vehicle is travelling downhill are provided. The method involves driving a vehicle downhill with the brake set speed set to a first brake set speed; detecting a current vehicle speed; automatically applying a brake torque using at least an auxiliary brake to maintain the first brake set speed; and detecting a manual application of a vehicle service brake, in order to decrease vehicle speed. If a control unit detects that the driver is applying the service brake, then the control unit is automatically arranged to set the brake set speed to a second brake set speed that is lower than the first brake set speed; and to apply a brake torque using at least the auxiliary brake if a detected current vehicle speed exceeds the second brake set speed.

An auto cruise control method and system for hybrid electric vehicles are provided. Particularly, a PnG driving pattern in consideration of characteristics of hybrid electric vehicles is applied to maximize improvement in fuel efficiency and to satisfy both drivability and improvement in fuel efficiency. The auto cruise control method includes turning on an auto cruise control mode by receiving a user set target vehicle speed using an engine and a driving motor as vehicle driving sources, and turning on a pulse and glide (PnG) mode. A user interface (UI) device is provided to receive a selection of any one of a PnG coast mode, a PnG glide mode and a PnG constant-speed cruise mode, and, when the driver selects one mode through the UI device, the hybrid electric vehicle is operated in the selected mode.

An adaptive cruise control system and method for controlling a speed of a vehicle includes determine a distance between a controlled vehicle a target vehicle with a distance sensor. An input sensor senses an input from a driver of the controlled vehicle in relation to the desired distance between the controlled vehicle and the target vehicle. An adaptive cruise control module receives a data set of a plurality of data points regarding the operation of the controlled vehicle. An artificial neural network is configured to receive the data set in response to the input from the driver being sensed and calculate a change in the desired distance in response to a change in at least one of the data points. A requested distance between vehicles is then changed based on at least one of the input from the driver and the calculated change in the desired distance by the artificial neural network.

A driving support apparatus is provided with: a first controller programmed to perform a first control, which is to make a speed of a vehicle not to exceed a predetermined speed; a second controller programmed to perform a second control, which is a driving support control that is different from the first control; a preventer configured to prevent the second control on the basis of an operation of an accelerator by an occupant of the vehicle; and a prevention reducer configured to control the preventer to hardly prevent the second control if the first control is performed, in comparison with when the first control is not performed.

A device and a method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle equipped with brake cruise control when the vehicle is travelling downhill are provided. The method involves driving a vehicle downhill with the brake set speed set to a first brake set speed; detecting a current vehicle speed; automatically applying a brake torque using at least an auxiliary brake to maintain the first brake set speed; and detecting a manual application of a vehicle service brake, in order to decrease vehicle speed. If a control unit detects that the driver is applying the service brake, then the control unit is automatically arranged to set the brake set speed to a second brake set speed that is lower than the first brake set speed; and to apply a brake torque using at least the auxiliary brake if a detected current vehicle speed exceeds the second brake set speed.

A cruise control system of a motor vehicle includes additional functionality to address increasing vehicle speed on a down gradient. A downshift is commanded upon detection of repeated or prolonged activation of a speed-down control, the additional engine braking reducing vehicle speed to cruise speed in a manner which is within driver expectation.

An auto cruise control method and system for hybrid electric vehicles are provided. Particularly, a PnG driving pattern in consideration of characteristics of hybrid electric vehicles is applied to maximize improvement in fuel efficiency and to satisfy both drivability and improvement in fuel efficiency. The auto cruise control method includes turning on an auto cruise control mode by receiving a user set target vehicle speed using an engine and a driving motor as vehicle driving sources, and turning on a pulse and glide (PnG) mode. A user interface (UI) device is provided to receive a selection of any one of a PnG coast mode, a PnG glide mode and a PnG constant-speed cruise mode, and, when the driver selects one mode through the UI device, the hybrid electric vehicle is operated in the selected mode.