Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend an increase in net torque applied to one or more wheels.

Abstract: A speed control system operable to control a motor vehicle to operate in accordance with a set-speed value, the control means being operable to allow a user to adjust the set-speed value by user actuation of a vehicle brake control or a vehicle accelerator control.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend further acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control strategy provides for automatically controlled movement from rest with deliberate wheel slip to maximize thrust. Different wheel slip conditions are provided for different terrain types. Wheel slip may be progressively reduced as the vehicle reaches a steady state speed. The strategy may also be implemented to maintain vehicle progress on low friction surfaces. The vehicle driver may be commanded to vary a control input, such as accelerator pedal position.

Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds therein. The method further comprises selecting a desired set-speed from the plurality of predefined set-speeds stored in the memory device. The method may further comprise determining whether the selected set-speed is appropriate based on one or more conditions. The method may still further comprise causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed when it is determined that the set-speed is appropriate. A system comprising a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds, and electronic control unit configured to select a desired one of the predefined set-speeds stored in the memory is also provided.

Abstract: A method of setting a vehicle in motion over a driving surface and/or maintaining motion of said vehicle over the driving surface implemented by a control system, said method comprising initiating motion control, initiating motion control comprising: commanding by the control system application of brake torque and drive torque to one or more wheels such that the vehicle is held stationary; subsequently initiating motion from rest while brake torque continues to be applied to the one or more wheels. The strategy may also be implemented to maintain vehicle progress on low friction surfaces. The vehicle driver may be commanded to vary a control input, such as accelerator pedal position, in order to facilitate the maintaining of progress.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises detecting an occurrence of a slip event, of a step encounter event, or of both events at a leading wheel of the vehicle. The method also comprises predicting that the occurrence of the detected event(s) will occur at a following wheel of the vehicle. The method yet further comprises automatically controlling vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, or both vehicle speed and acceleration in response to the detection, the prediction, or both the detection and prediction. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A method for selecting a gear ratio for a driveline of vehicle is provided. The method comprises gathering information relating to one or more parameters associated with the vehicle and anticipating, based on the gathered information, an occurrence of an event relating to the vehicle for which a change in driveline gear ratio is needed. The method further comprises identifying a suitable driveline gear ratio for the anticipated event, generating a command signal representative of a request to change the gear ratio of the driveline to the identified gear ratio, and communicating the command signal to a driveline subsystem of the vehicle. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle control system for controlling a plurality of vehicle subsystems to operate in a plurality of subsystem control modes in dependence on a driving surface. The system is operable in an automatic control mode selection condition in which the system is configured to determine the driving surface automatically and to cause each of the vehicle subsystems to operate in a predetermined one of the subsystem control modes in dependence on the determined driving surface. The system may be configured to determine if an interruption in powertrain torque occurs and to, in dependence on the identification of a powertrain torque interruption event, temporarily suspend causing an automatic change to the predetermined one of the subsystem control modes in which each subsystem is operating.

Abstract: A speed control system for a vehicle includes an electronic controller configured to automatically cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value. The electronic controller is further configured to receive information relating to movement of at least a portion of a vehicle body or at least a portion of a body of an occupant relative to a vehicle, and to automatically adjust the value of the target speed value in dependence on the received information.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises detecting an external force acting on the vehicle wherein the external force has an accelerating or decelerating effect on the vehicle. The method further comprises automatically adjusting a rate of change of at least one component of a net torque being applied to one or more wheels of the vehicle to compensate for the accelerating or decelerating effect of the external force on the vehicle. A system for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A speed control system configured automatically to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a first target speed value stored by the system at least in part by controlling an amount of drive torque applied to one or more wheels by a powertrain. The system is configured to receive a driver drive demand signal indicative of an amount of driver demanded drive torque to be applied to one or more wheels, and is configured to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a second target speed value greater than the first in dependence at least in part on the driver drive demand signal.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle operable to implement a speed control function, the control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; target speed torque determining means for determining an instantaneous value of torque, target speed torque, that should be applied to one or more wheels of the vehicle by a powertrain in order to control the vehicle to travel at the target speed; and filter means operable to filter the value of target speed torque to generate a filtered torque value, the system being operable to command the powertrain to apply to the one or more wheels an amount of torque corresponding to the filtered torque value, wherein the system further comprises modifier means operable to receive the instantaneous value of target speed torque generated by the target speed torque determining means and to input to the filter means a value of torque that is less than the target speed torque in dependence on a current speed of the vehicle

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle control system for selecting a driving surface and for controlling a plurality of vehicle subsystems to operate in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes in dependence on the selected driving surface, the system being operable in a manual operating mode in which a user is able to select said driving surface and an automatic operating mode in which the system is operable to select said driving surface automatically; wherein the system is able to be switched between said manual and automatic operating modes by means of a user-operable input device; and wherein when operating in the automatic operating mode and a change from the automatic operating mode to the manual operating mode is made via the user-operable input device, the system is configured to select a default subsystem configuration mode.

Abstract: A motor vehicle controller configured to: receive a drive demand signal indicating an amount of net drive to be applied to one or more driving wheels of a vehicle, estimate a value of a parameter indicative of a surface coefficient of friction between one or more driving wheels and a driving surface, and apply a net torque to one or more wheels of a vehicle. The amount of net torque applied is determined in dependence at least in part on the received drive demand signal. The controller is configured to increase an amount of net torque applied to one or more driving wheels independently of the drive demand signal and to update an estimate of the parameter in dependence on a change in speed of the at least one driving wheel when the amount of net torque applied to the at least one driving wheel is increased.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises detecting an occurrence of a slip event, of a step encounter event, or of both events at a leading wheel of the vehicle. The method also comprises predicting that the occurrence of the detected event(s) will occur at a following wheel of the vehicle. The method yet further comprises automatically controlling vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, or both vehicle speed and acceleration in response to the detection, the prediction, or both the detection and prediction. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising one or more electronic control units configured to carry out a method that includes applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels, detecting a slip event between any one or more of the wheels and the ground over which the vehicle is travelling when the vehicle is in motion and providing a slip detection output signal in the event thereof. The method carried out by the one or more electronic control units further includes receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel and maintaining the vehicle at the target speed independently of the slip detection output signal by adjusting the amount of torque applied to the at least one of the plurality of wheels.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having at least one vehicle sub-system, the system being configured for determining a configuration of the sub-system. The system includes a user interface for receiving from a user an indication of a plurality of attributes indicative of off-road driving characteristics of a driving scenario, and a processor arranged to determine a configuration of the at least one vehicle sub-system based on the plurality of attributes of the driving scenario.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle control system for selecting and/or determining a driving surface and for controlling a plurality of vehicle subsystems to operate in a plurality of subsystem control modes in dependence on the selected/determined driving surface, the system being operable in a manual control mode selection condition in which a user is able to select said driving surface and an automatic control mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select said driving surface automatically, wherein the vehicle control system is provided with a memory arranged to memorize a last selected control mode that was selected prior to vehicle de-activation or key-off when operating in the automatic control mode selection condition, and upon the next subsequent vehicle activation or key-on, the system is configured to continue operating in the memorized control mode and to automatically obtain new data in respect of a driving surface over which the vehicle is moving b

Abstract: A motor vehicle controller comprising data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus configured to carry out the steps of: receiving a surface friction signal indicative of a coefficient of friction between a road wheel and a driving surface; receiving an accelerator position signal indicative of a position of an accelerator control with respect to an allowable range of positions; determining a powertrain torque limit value corresponding to an amount of powertrain torque at which slip of a driving wheel is expected to exceed a predetermined amount, the powertrain torque limit value being determined at least in part in dependence on the surface friction signal; and determining and outputting a powertrain torque demand signal corresponding to an instant amount of torque to be developed by a powertrain, the powertrain torque demand signal being determined in dependence at least in part on the accelerator position signal according to a predetermined relationship.