Abstract: An intelligent system and method detects and informs operators of unstable vehicle conditions. An accelerometer and gyro based micro-controller system dynamically computing the center of mass, speeds, positions, angles, stability factors, Velocity-Road Roughness Index, Dynamic Stability Function, and other parameters critical in determining the dynamics of vehicle motion. The apparatus may be integrated into an overall vehicle network and may incorporate a method for detecting and warning vehicle operators of unstable driving conditions which may include rollover, high velocity turns, sideslope conditions, rough roads, slip, and other dynamic events.

Abstract: An intelligent system and method detects and prevents vehicle rollover conditions. An accelerator determines vehicle speed and lateral G force, a processor computes the center of mass of the vehicle by correlating the lateral G force produced while the vehicle is turning, and an alert that is activated if the speed is exceeded or if the turn radius is reduced beyond safety limits indicative of potential rollover of the vehicle. The preferred embodiment further includes a gyroscope operative to sense lateral yaw rate excursions of the vehicle, enabling the processor to correlate the yaw rate excursions at a given speed with the lateral G forces produced while the vehicle is turning. The accelerator may further be operative to determine vertical acceleration at a given speed along a third axis, and augment rollover alarm conditions on rough road surfaces.