VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM, METHOD AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT DRIVING

Abstract

A vehicle control system for energy efficient driving includes a processing circuitry configured to cause the vehicle control system to: determine that the vehicle is approaching a stop point; determine if the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point; determine the presence of at least a first other vehicle within a predefined distance behind the vehicle; and determine the intended route of the at least first other vehicle for determining if the vehicle is going to prepare at least a first energy saving action or not.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system for energy efficient driving, the vehicle control system comprises: a processing circuitry configured to cause the vehicle control system to: determine that the vehicle is approaching a stop point; determine if the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point; determine the presence of at least a first other vehicle within a predefined distance behind the vehicle; and determine the intended route of the at least first other vehicle for determining if the vehicle is going to prepare at least a first energy saving action or not.

2. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein in case of a determination that the at least first other vehicle is going in the same direction as the vehicle after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action.

3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein in a case of determination that the at least first other vehicle is going in another direction as the vehicle after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action only when the at least first other vehicle is in a different lane, other than the lane of the vehicle, for avoiding blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle.

4. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle control system further comprises: a wireless communication unit, operatively connected to the processing circuitry, configured to communicate via a wireless communication network, the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the vehicle control system to: send, by the vehicle, a request for a traffic information data message indicative of a request for the intended route of at least a first other vehicle behind the vehicle; receive, at the vehicle, the traffic information data message indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle behind the vehicle.

5. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle control system further comprises: at least a first exterior view camera operatively connected to the processing circuitry configured to obtain image data of the surroundings of the vehicle, the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the vehicle control system to: obtain, by at least a first exterior view camera of the vehicle, image data of the surroundings of the vehicle; and determine an intended route of at least a first other vehicle behind the vehicle based on the obtained image data.

6. A method for energy efficient driving of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining that the vehicle is approaching a stop point; determining if the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point; determining the presence of at least a first other vehicle within a predefined distance behind the vehicle; and determining the intended route of the at least first other vehicle for determining if the vehicle is going to prepare at least a first energy saving action or not.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in case of a determination that the at least first other vehicle is going in the same direction as the vehicle after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein in case of a determination that the at least first other vehicle is going in another direction as the vehicle after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action only when the at least first other vehicle is in a different lane, other than the lane of the vehicle, for avoiding blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 6, the method further comprising: sending, by the vehicle, a request for a traffic information data message indicative of a request for the intended route of at least a first other vehicle behind the vehicle receiving, at the vehicle, the traffic information data message indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle behind the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the traffic information data message is sent and received via at least any of a wireless Vehicle-to-vehicle communication network; a wireless Vehicle-to-Infrastructure communication network; a wireless Internet communication network.

11. The method according to claim 6, the method further comprising obtaining, by at least a first exterior view camera of the vehicle, image data of the surroundings of the vehicle; and determining an intended route of at least a first other vehicle behind the vehicle based on the obtained image data.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the determination of the intended route comprising a determination of at least any of an indication that a turn signal of the at least first other vehicle is on or that the at least first other vehicle is changing lane.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining if the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point comprising receiving by the vehicle a stop signal data message via at least any of a wireless Vehicle-to-vehicle communication network; a wireless Vehicle-to-Infrastructure communication network; a wireless Internet communication network, indicative of that the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point.

14. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining if the vehicle needs to stop at the stop point comprising: obtaining, by at least a first exterior view camera of the vehicle, image data of the surroundings of the vehicle; and determining stop information based on the obtained image data.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processing circuitry and configured to cause execution of the method according to claim 6 when the computer program is run by the at least one processing circuitry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the vehicle control system.

[0045] FIG. 2A illustrates an example when the vehicle and a first other vehicle are approaching a stop point at a traffic light when the intended route of the first other vehicle is not determined.

[0046] FIG. 2B illustrates an example when the vehicle and the first other vehicle are approaching a stop point at a traffic light when the intended route of the first other vehicle is determined.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates an example when the vehicle and a first other vehicle, a second other vehicle and a third other vehicle are approaching a stop point at a traffic light.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an example when the vehicle, a first other vehicle and a second other vehicle are approaching a stop point at a roundabout.

[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method steps according to the second aspect of the disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer program product according to the third aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0052] The first aspect of this disclosure shows a vehicle control system 100 for energy efficient driving. FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system 100 comprises a processing circuitry 102a, 102b. According to some embodiments the processing circuitry 102a is the processing circuitry of an on-board vehicle computer. According to some embodiments the processing circuitry 102b is comprised in an electronic device 800 connected to the vehicle control system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0053] According to some embodiments the vehicle control system 100 further comprises a memory 101a, 101b configured to store data. According to some embodiments the memory 101a is the memory of an on-board vehicle computer. According to some embodiments the memory 101b is comprised in an electronic device 800 connected to the vehicle control system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0054] In one example the wireless communication network 50, as illustrated in FIG. 1 is a standardized wireless local area network such as a Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN, Bluetooth™, ZigBee, Ultra-Wideband, Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, or similar network. In one example the wireless communication network 50 is a standardized wireless wide area network such as a Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, Extended GSM, General Packet Radio Service, GPRS, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution, EDGE, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution, LTE, Narrowband-IoT, 5G, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX or Ultra Mobile Broadband, UMB or similar network. According to some aspects wireless communication network 50 can also be a combination of both a local area network and a wide area network. According to some embodiments the wireless communication network 50 is defined by common Internet Protocols.

[0055] FIG. 2A illustrates an example when the vehicle 1 and a first other vehicle 2a are approaching a stop point at a traffic light when the intended route of the first other vehicle 2a is not determined. In a situation when the intended route of the first other vehicle 2a is not determined, the vehicle 1 may risk blocking the first other vehicle 2a if e.g. the vehicle 1 releases the engine from drive load and let the vehicle 1 to start roll the way up to the traffic light when the first other vehicle 2a is behind the vehicle 1 since the first other vehicle 2a may want to maintain the current speed and not slow down in order to be able to e.g. turn left while the traffic light is signaling green for a left turn.

[0056] The processing circuitry 102a, 102b is configured to cause the vehicle control system 100 to: determine that the vehicle 1 is approaching a stop point; determine if the vehicle 1 needs to stop at the stop point; determine the presence of at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c within a predefined distance behind the vehicle 1; and determine the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0057] An advantage with this aspect is that with knowledge of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, a decision to control the vehicle or instruct a vehicle occupant 5 can be taken considering the intended route of the least first other vehicle 2a, for example as illustrated in FIG. 2A, to avoid e.g. blocking the way for the least first other vehicle 2a.

[0058] According to some embodiments, in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is going in the same direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action. According to some embodiments, in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c also needs to stop at the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action. In this example both the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c can hence prepare at least a first energy saving action since both will have to stop at the stop point.

[0059] Knowing that the at least first other vehicle 2a is going in the same direction as the vehicle 1, for example straight ahead, means that the vehicle 1 is not blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle 2a, and hence a first energy saving action can be prepared, such as releasing the engine from drive load. In this example both the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c can hence prepare at least a first energy saving action since both will have to stop at the stop point.

[0060] According to some embodiments preparing at least a first energy saving action comprising is at least any of: releasing an engine from a drive load; turning off an engine; putting an engine in an idle mode; turning off the power supply to an engine; putting a gear box in neutral; start engine-brake the vehicle 1; changing gear up to engine-brake the vehicle; start rolling to the stop point; releasing the throttle; releasing a gas pedal; increase throttle; start braking; starting a battery charging operation; starting a battery charging operation for braking the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments starting a battery charging operation may cause a braking effect on the vehicle 1 and the wear of the vehicle brakes can hence be avoided.

[0061] According to some embodiments, in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is going in another direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action only when the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is in a different lane L2, other than the lane L1 of the vehicle 1, for avoiding blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0062] Knowing that the at least first other vehicle 2a is going another direction means that the vehicle 1 is blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle 2a when the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a are in the same lane, e.g. lane L1 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. By waiting with preparing for the at least first energy saving action until the at least first other vehicle 2a is in another lane, e.g. in lane L2 as illustrated in FIG. 2B, it can be avoided that the vehicle 1 is blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle 2a.

[0063] According to some embodiments, the vehicle control system 100 further comprises: a wireless communication unit 103. According to some embodiments the communication unit 103 is part of an on-board vehicle computer and operatively connected to the memory 101a. The wireless communication unit 103 is operatively connected to the processing circuitry 102a, 102b, configured to communicate via the wireless communication network 50, the processing circuitry 102a, 102b is further configured to cause the vehicle control system 100 to: send, by the vehicle 1, a request for a traffic information data message TIDM indicative of a request for the intended route of at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1; receive, at the vehicle 1, the traffic information data message TIDM indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1.

[0064] Information of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c can hence be provided wirelessly to the vehicle 1 over the air in a traffic information data message TIDM that is informing the vehicle 1 of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0065] According to some embodiments the request for a traffic information data message is limited to a request for a traffic information with respect to at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c that is within a predetermined distance L from the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the request for a traffic information data message comprising location information data defining the geographical position of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the predetermined distance L is dependent on the speed of at least any of the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. According to some embodiments the predetermined distance L is dependent on the remaining distance to the stop point of at least any of the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. According to some embodiments the predetermined distance L is dependent on a signal interval of a traffic light at the stop point. According to some embodiments the predetermined distance L is dependent on the speed limit before the stop point.

[0066] According to some embodiments the traffic information data message TIDM comprising at least any of: route information data from a navigation system of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c; vehicle control data of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c; historical routes of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c; driving statistics of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c; driving statistics of vehicles at the approaching the stop point; a manual response by a vehicle occupant 5 of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates an example when the vehicle 1 and a first other vehicle 2a, a second other vehicle 2b and a third other vehicle 2c are approaching a stop point at a traffic light, when the intended route of the first other vehicle 2a and the intended route of the second other vehicle 2b are determined, while the intended route of the third other vehicle 2c is not determined since the third other vehicle 2c is not within a predefined distance L behind the vehicle 1.

[0068] According to some aspects, in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is going in another direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action when the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is not within a predetermined minimum distance Lmin behind the vehicle 1.

[0069] In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is determined that the second other vehicle 2b is going in another direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, but that the second other vehicle 2b is not within a predetermined minimum distance Lmin that would make the vehicle 1 to block the way for the second other vehicle 2b, even if the vehicle 1 is preparing at least a first energy saving action.

[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates an example when the vehicle 1, a first other vehicle 2a and a second other vehicle 2b are approaching a stop point at a roundabout when the intended route of the first other vehicle and the intended route of the second other vehicle are determined.

[0071] In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, it is determined that the second other vehicle 2b is going in another direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point namely to the right, while the vehicle 1, and the first other vehicle 2a are going left in the roundabout. However, it is determined that the second other vehicle 2b is not within a predetermined minimum distance Lmin, that would make the vehicle 1 to block the way for the second other vehicle 2b, even if the vehicle 1 is preparing at least a first energy saving action.

[0072] In a further example it is determined that the second other vehicle 2b is within a minimum distance of the first other vehicle 2a, that is about to go left in the roundabout. In the example the first other vehicle 2a communicates to the vehicle 1 that the first other vehicle 2a desires to maintain speed in order not to block the way for the second other vehicle 2b. In this further example it can therefore be determined that the vehicle 1 cannot prepare for at least a first energy saving action.

[0073] According to some aspects, the vehicle control system 100 further comprises: at least a first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c configured to obtain image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1. FIG. 1 illustrates the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c. In an example the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c is mounted on the outside or on the inside of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c is integrated into the body of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c obtains at least first image data im1, im2, im3 of at least a first exterior view of the surroundings outside of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c obtains a wide angle view of the surroundings outside of the vehicle 1 by a wide angle lens of the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c. According to some embodiments the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c obtains a telephoto view of the surroundings outside of the vehicle 1 by a telephoto lens of the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c. According to some embodiments the vehicle control system 100 comprises a combination of different exterior view cameras 12a, 12b, 12c for providing both a wide angle view and a telephoto view of the surroundings outside of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a first exterior view camera 12a and a second exterior view camera 12b are configured to obtain a first image data im1 and a second image data im2 that are overlapping.

[0074] The at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c is operatively connected to the processing circuitry 102a, 102b and the processing circuitry 102a, 102b is further configured to cause the vehicle control system 100 to: obtain, by at least a first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c of the vehicle 1, image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1; and determine an intended route of at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1 based on the obtained image data im1, im2, im3.

[0075] Information of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c can hence be provided via image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1, providing information about the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0076] According to some aspects relative movements of the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c in relation to the vehicle 1 is detected in the image data im1, im2, im3 by image processing of the image data im1, im2, im3. According to some embodiments a relative movement of the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c in relation to the ground is detected in the image data im1, im2, im3 by image processing of the image data im1, im2, im3. According to some aspects the detected relative movement of the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2 is used for determining the intended route of at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. According to some embodiments the intended route of at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is used as input for determining if the vehicle 1 is going to prepare at least a first energy saving action or not.

[0077] According to some embodiments vehicle control system 100 further comprises a user interface 400. According to some embodiments the user interface 400 is the user interface of an on-board vehicle computer. According to some embodiments the vehicle control system 100 further comprises at least a first display configured to display the at least first exterior view provided by the at least first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c. According to some embodiments the at least first display is a part of the vehicle control system 100. According to some embodiments the at least first display is integrated in the dashboard of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least first display is a head-up display that is visible at or on at least a first window of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least first display is a separate display unit that can be placed at a desired location in the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments the at least a first display is a touch sensible display configured to operate as the user interface 400. According to some embodiments the processing circuitry 102a, 102b is further configured to provide driving instructions indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. According to some embodiments the driving instructions indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is provided to the display and displayed to a vehicle occupant 5 of the vehicle 1 via the user interface 400. The driving instructions indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c hence can support the vehicle occupant 5 in driving the vehicle 1 in an energy efficient way. According to some embodiments the vehicle 1 is an autonomous vehicle and the driving instructions indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is provided to a processing circuitry of an on-board vehicle computer for controlling the operation of the vehicle 1.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method steps according to the second aspect of the disclosure.

[0079] The second aspect of this disclosure shows a method for energy efficient driving of a vehicle 1, the method comprising: the step S1 determining that the vehicle 1 is approaching a stop point; the step S2 determining if the vehicle 1 needs to stop at the stop point; the step S3 determining the presence of at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c within a predefined distance behind the vehicle 1; and the step S6 determining the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0080] An advantage with this aspect is that with knowledge of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle, a decision to control the vehicle or to instruct a vehicle occupant can be taken considering the intended route of the least first other vehicle to avoid e.g. blocking the way for the least first other vehicle.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the method comprising the step S6a, wherein in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is going in the same direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action.

[0082] Knowing that the at least first other vehicle is going in the same direction means that the vehicle is not blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle, and hence a first energy saving action can be prepared, such as releasing the engine from drive load.

[0083] According to some embodiments, the method comprising the step S6b, wherein in a determination that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is going in another direction as the vehicle 1 after the stop point, preparing at least a first energy saving action only when the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is in a different lane L2, other than the lane L1 of the vehicle 1, for avoiding blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0084] Knowing that the at least first other vehicle is going another direction means that the vehicle is blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle when the vehicle and the at least first other vehicle are in the same lane, and by waiting with preparing for the at least first energy saving action until the at least first other vehicle is in another lane it can be avoided that the vehicle is blocking the way for the at least first other vehicle.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of: S4a sending, by the vehicle 1, a request for a traffic information data message TIDM indicative of a request for the intended route of at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1; and the step of S5a receiving, at the vehicle 1, the traffic information data message TIDM indicative of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1.

[0086] Information of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle can hence be provided wirelessly to the vehicle over the air in a traffic information data message that is informing the vehicle of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the traffic information data message TIDM is sent and received via at least any of a wireless Vehicle-to-vehicle V2V communication network; a wireless Vehicle-to-Infrastructure V2I communication network; a wireless Internet communication network.

[0088] Information of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle can hence be provided wirelessly to the vehicle 1 over the air, via direct communication between the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c, and/or via communication between the vehicle 1 and an infrastructure node 800, and/or via communication between the vehicle and a wireless Internet communication network node. As illustrated in the FIG. 1, the traffic information data message TIDM, can be sent using different wireless communication interfaces. According to some embodiments the wireless Vehicle-to-vehicle V2V communication network comprising a combination of direct communication between the vehicle 1 and the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c and communication between the vehicle 1 and an infrastructure node 800 for determining that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is within a physical radio coverage radius of the vehicle 1. According to some embodiments traffic information data is aggregated in real-time from the vehicle 1 and from the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b,c and stored in a memory 101b of an infrastructure node 800 for generating a traffic information data message TIDM to a vehicle 1 upon request.

[0089] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises the step S4b obtaining, by at least a first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c of the vehicle 1, image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1; and the step S5b determining an intended route of at least a first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c behind the vehicle 1 based on the obtained image data im1, im2, im3.

[0090] Information of the intended route of the at least first other vehicle can hence be provided via image data of the surroundings of the vehicle, providing information about the intended route of the at least first other vehicle.

[0091] According to some embodiments, the determination of the intended route the method comprises a determination of at least any of an indication that a turn signal of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is on or that the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is changing lane.

[0092] According to some embodiments an indication that a turn signal of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is on is detected in the image data im1, im2, im3 by image processing of the image data im1, im2, im3. According to some aspects the turn signal of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is used for determining the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. According to some embodiments an indication of a left turn signal is used for determining that the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is a left turn after the stop point. According to some embodiments an indication of a right turn signal is used for determining that the intended route of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is a right turn after the stop point. According to some embodiments the vehicle 1 determines the number of available lanes and the available driving directions for each lane by information provided by at least any of a traffic information data message TIDM and image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1. In the example as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B there are two lanes available, the right lane L1 for continuing straight ahead after the stop point, and the left lane for a left turn after the stop point. In the example as illustrated in FIG. 2B the first other vehicle 2a has the left turn signal on which indicates that the first other vehicle 2a intends to use the left lane L2 and then turn left after the stop point.

[0093] According to some embodiments a relative movement of the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c in relation to a line indication on the ground is detected in the image data im1, im2, im3 by image processing of the image data im1, im2, im3. According to some aspects the detected relative movement of the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2 in relation to the line indication on the ground is used for determining the intended route based on a line change of the at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c. In an example with reference to FIG. 2B it can be determined that the first other vehicle 2a is changing lane by the crossing of the line that separates right line L1 with the left line L2.

[0094] According to some embodiments the intended route of at least first other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is used as input for determining if the vehicle 1 is going to prepare at least a first energy saving action or not.

[0095] According to some embodiments, determining if the vehicle 1 needs to stop at the stop point comprises receiving by the vehicle 1 a stop signal data message SSDM via at least any of a wireless Vehicle-to-vehicle V2V communication network; a wireless Vehicle-to-Infrastructure V2I communication network; a wireless Internet communication network, indicative of that the vehicle 1 needs to stop at the stop point.

[0096] The vehicle can hence be informed wirelessly over the air, in stop signal data message SSDM, that the vehicle 1 needs to stop at a certain stop point that the vehicle 1 is approaching. According to some embodiments data defining the geographical position of the vehicle 1 and the at least other vehicle 2a, 2b, 2c is aggregated in real-time and stored in a memory 101b of an infrastructure node 800 for automatically generating a stop signal data message SSDM to be received at the vehicle 1 when the vehicle is within a predefined distance from a stop point that the vehicle 1 is approaching. In an example as illustrated in FIG. 4, a stop signal data message SSDM is generated to be received at the vehicle 1 based on the current traffic in the roundabout that the vehicle 1 is approaching.

[0097] According to some embodiments, determining if the vehicle 1 needs to stop at the stop point comprises: obtaining, by at least a first exterior view camera 12a, 12b, 12c of the vehicle 1, image data im1, im2, im3 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1; and determining stop information based on the obtained image data im1, im2, im3.

[0098] According to some embodiments determining stop information based on the obtained image data im1, im2, im3 comprising image processing of the image data im1, im2, im3 for detecting stop information in the image data im1, im2, im3. According to some embodiments stop information comprising at least any of a detection of a: sign, a signal, a light, a text, a symbol, a vehicle and a person.

[0099] The vehicle can hence be informed, via image data of the surroundings of the vehicle, that the vehicle needs to stop at a certain stop point that is approaching, e.g. via a determination of a traffic light signaling red.

[0100] In the example as illustrated in FIG. 3, the exterior view camera 12b of the vehicle 1 obtains image data im2 of the surroundings of the vehicle 1. In the example the image data im2 comprises an image of a traffic light with a red signal. By image processing of the image data im2 the red signal is detected as stop information.

[0101] The third aspect of this disclosure shows a computer program product comprising the method the second aspect comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processing circuitry 102a, 102b and configured to cause execution of the method when the computer program is run by the at least one processing circuitry 102a, 102b.

[0102] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.