Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for actuating a clutch of a manual transmission of a vehicle comprising. An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system is configured to automatically initiate an AEB event and a brake controller is configured to automatically actuate a braking system of the vehicle. A powertrain controller in is configured to monitor vehicle parameters and determine when an engine of the vehicle is nearing stall. A clutch control module is configured to actuate a clutch hydraulic master cylinder and actuate the clutch. A vehicle sensor network is configured to detect objects surrounding the vehicle. The AEB system is configured to initiate the AEB event based on detected objects surrounding the vehicle and, when the AEB event is initiated, instruct the brake controller to automatically actuate the braking system and instruct the clutch control module to actuate the clutch when the vehicle is nearing stall.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for selecting a driving mode for a vehicle includes receiving occupant preference information indicative of whether an occupant prefers that the vehicle operating in a driving mode (e.g., a sport mode), receiving a set of vehicle state parameters indicative of whether the operational state of the vehicle is conducive to the driving mode, and receiving a set of occupant state parameters indicative of the state of one or more occupants of the vehicle. The method further includes selecting a driving mode based on the occupant preference information, the set of vehicle state parameters, and the occupant state parameters, and then engaging vehicle tuning parameters for the vehicle based on the selected driving mode.

Abstract: A blind zone mitigation system of a host vehicle comprises i) at least one sensor that determines position information of a target vehicle with respect to the host vehicle, and ii) an active lane positioning module. The active lane positioning module receives the position information from the at least one sensor and determines a blind zone of the target vehicle. The active lane positioning module, in an active lane position mode, accelerates the host vehicle to move the host vehicle out of the blind zone of the target vehicle or decelerates the host vehicle to move the host vehicle out of the blind zone of the target vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for shifting a manual transmission into neutral during autonomous braking are provided. An exemplary system for shifting a vehicle into neutral during autonomous braking includes a manual transmission for transferring power from an engine to a differential using gears manually selected by a gear selector. Also, the system includes an actuator mounted to the vehicle and to the gear selector. Further, the system includes a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to direct the actuator to force the gear selector into neutral during an autonomous braking event.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for selecting a driving mode for a vehicle includes receiving occupant preference information indicative of whether an occupant prefers that the vehicle operating in a driving mode (e.g., a sport mode), receiving a set of vehicle state parameters indicative of whether the operational state of the vehicle is conducive to the driving mode, and receiving a set of occupant state parameters indicative of the state of one or more occupants of the vehicle. The method further includes selecting a driving mode based on the occupant preference information, the set of vehicle state parameters, and the occupant state parameters, and then engaging vehicle tuning parameters for the vehicle based on the selected driving mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for actuating a clutch of a manual transmission of a vehicle comprising. An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system is configured to automatically initiate an AEB event and a brake controller is configured to automatically actuate a braking system of the vehicle. A powertrain controller in is configured to monitor vehicle parameters and determine when an engine of the vehicle is nearing stall. A clutch control module is configured to actuate a clutch hydraulic master cylinder and actuate the clutch. A vehicle sensor network is configured to detect objects surrounding the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for shifting a manual transmission into neutral during autonomous braking are provided. An exemplary system for shifting a vehicle into neutral during autonomous braking includes a manual transmission for transferring power from an engine to a differential using gears manually selected by a gear selector. Also, the system includes an actuator mounted to the vehicle and to the gear selector. Further, the system includes a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to direct the actuator to force the gear selector into neutral during an autonomous braking event.

Abstract: A blind zone mitigation system of a host vehicle comprises i) at least one sensor that determines position information of a target vehicle with respect to the host vehicle, and ii) an active lane positioning module. The active lane positioning module receives the position information from the at least one sensor and determines a blind zone of the target vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system that monitors the behavior of surrounding vehicles in order to predict and react to an upcoming hazard in the road, even in situations where the hazard has not been directly sensed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method monitors an area around the host vehicle and looks for the presence of one or more target vehicles. If target vehicles are detected, then the method evaluates their behavior, classifies their behavior into one of several categories, and assuming that their behavior suggests some type of upcoming hazard, develops an appropriate preemptive response for controlling the host vehicle. The preemptive response may include mimicking, copying and/or integrating with the behavior of the surrounding target vehicles according to so-called “flocking” techniques in order to avoid the otherwise unseen hazard.

Abstract: A method for automatic activation of a vehicle turn indicator is disclosed. The method may include determining whether a lane change maneuver is impending in a specified direction. The method may also include determining whether the vehicle turn indicator has been activated through a driver interface. The vehicle turn indicator may be engaged when not activated through the driver interface.

Abstract: A method of providing automatic collision avoidance in a vehicle with a front wheel electric power steering (EPS) system and rear wheel active rear steering (ARS) system and an automatic collision avoidance system are described. The method includes generating a vehicle math model including the control variables, designing a steering control goal as a criterion to determine the control variables, and implementing a model predictive control to solve the steering control goal and determine the control variables. The method also includes providing the control variables to the EPS system and the ARS system to respectively control a front actuator associated with front wheels and a rear actuator associated with rear wheels.

Abstract: Methods and vehicles are provided for identifying objects in proximity to the vehicle and controlling active safety functionality for the vehicle. A target object in proximity to the vehicle is detected. A movement of the target object is measured. The target object is classified based at least in part on the movement. The active safety functionality is controlled based at least in part on the classification of the target object.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optimal collision avoidance path for a host vehicle that may potentially collide with a target vehicle. The method includes providing off-line an optimization look-up table for storing on the host vehicle that includes an optimal vehicle braking or longitudinal deceleration and an optimal distance along the optimal path based on a range of speeds of the host vehicle and coefficients of friction of the roadway surface. The method determines the current speed of the host vehicle and the coefficient of friction of the roadway surface during the potential collision, and uses the look-up table to determine the optimal longitudinal deceleration or braking of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path. The method also determines an optimal lateral acceleration or steering of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path based on a friction ellipse and the optimal braking.

Abstract: A method of providing automatic collision avoidance in a vehicle with a front wheel electric power steering (EPS) system and rear wheel active rear steering (ARS) system and an automatic collision avoidance system are described. The method includes generating a vehicle math model including the control variables, designing a steering control goal as a criterion to determine the control variables, and implementing a model predictive control to solve the steering control goal and determine the control variables. The method also includes providing the control variables to the EPS system and the ARS system to respectively control a front actuator associated with front wheels and a rear actuator associated with rear wheels.

Abstract: A method for automatic activation of a vehicle turn indicator is disclosed. The method may include determining whether a lane change maneuver is impending in a specified direction. The method may also include determining whether the vehicle turn indicator has been activated through a driver interface. The vehicle turn indicator may be engaged when not activated through the driver interface.

Abstract: A vehicle control method includes iteratively modifying a level of braking of the vehicle until it is determined that the vehicle has substantially lost traction with respect to the road surface, then determining the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the tire based on the level of braking at the time the vehicle substantially lost fraction. In one embodiment, previous ABS or other vehicle control events are used as a basis for estimating an initial level of braking to be applied during the friction measurement procedure. Such a deterministic maneuver can also function as a collision warning to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a vehicle, an optimal path curvature limited by one or more constraints may be determined. The constraints may be related to lateral jerk and one or more vehicle dynamics constraints. Based on the optimal path curvature, an optimal vehicle path around an object may be determined. The optimal vehicle path may be output to a collision avoidance control system. The collision avoidance control system may cause the vehicle to take a certain path.

Abstract: A system and method that, in response to the detection of an impaired driver, develops a scenario-dependent response with an escalating sequence of awakening actions and/or automated driving actions that are designed to mitigate the effects of impaired driving for that particular driving scenario. Some examples of awakening actions include visual, audible, haptic and/or miscellaneous warnings intended to awaken or reengage the impaired driver. If the awakening actions are ineffective, one or more automated driving actions may be used to control certain aspects of vehicle braking, steering, accelerating, etc. The scenario-dependent response is at least partially based on the state, conditions and/or environment in and around the host vehicle (i.e., the current driving scenario) and may take into account factors such as: vehicle dynamics, road characteristics, pedestrian and vehicle traffic conditions, weather conditions and more.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an overlay torque command for an electric motor in an EPS system for use in a collision avoidance system. The method uses model predictive control that employs a six-dimensional vehicle motion model including a combination of a one-track linear bicycle model and a one-degree of freedom steering column model to model the vehicle steering. The method determines a steering control goal that defines a path tracking error between the current vehicle path and the desired vehicle path through a cost function that includes an optimal total steering torque command. The MPC determines the optimal total steering torque command to minimize the path error, and then uses driver input torque, EPS assist torque and the total column torque command to determine the torque overlay command.

Abstract: Methods, systems are provided for controlling a travel path of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting a braking of the vehicle by a computing device, calculating a friction ellipse for the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle, defecting an intended travel path of the vehicle, detecting an actual travel path of the motor vehicle during the braking and determining if there is a path error where the actual travel path is outside the intended travel path when the braking is detected. When the actual travel path is outside the intended travel path then the method calculates a prospective friction ellipse for the vehicle, determines a compensating yaw moment to correct the path error, determines a maximum acceleration based on the prospective friction ellipse, and transmits a command to the autonomous braking system based on the maximum acceleration and the compensating yaw moment.