Abstract: A method for ascertaining the danger potential of a lane change of an ego vehicle from the currently used traffic lane to an adjacent traffic lane, a detection range in the external space of the ego vehicle being monitored, and the effect of objects identified in the detection range on the danger potential is evaluated, and based on positions and speeds of internal other vehicles identified in the detection range, it is determined whether external other vehicles located outside the detection range are able to reach a target region in which the ego vehicle is located following the intended lane change. A method for the at least partially automated control of an ego vehicle, in which in the case of an intended lane change, the danger potential of this lane change is evaluated, and the lane change is prevented if external other vehicles are able to reach the target region.

Abstract: A pedestrian collision avoidance system for a vehicle including a radar sensor, a video camera, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU detects an object in the video information and classifies the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database. The ECU determines a distance to the pedestrian based on the radar information and determines a characteristic of the pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database. When the pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, the ECU determines an updated distance to the pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the pedestrian. The ECU determines whether a potential for collision exists between the vehicle and the pedestrian based in part on the distance to the pedestrian, and when the potential for collision is present, the ECU activates an automatic vehicle response.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining the danger potential of a lane change of an ego vehicle from the currently used traffic lane to an adjacent traffic lane, a detection range in the external space of the ego vehicle being monitored, and the effect of objects identified in the detection range on the danger potential is evaluated, and based on positions and speeds of internal other vehicles identified in the detection range, it is determined whether external other vehicles located outside the detection range are able to reach a target region in which the ego vehicle is located following the intended lane change. A method for the at least partially automated control of an ego vehicle, in which in the case of an intended lane change, the danger potential of this lane change is evaluated, and the lane change is prevented if external other vehicles are able to reach the target region.

Abstract: Methods and systems of validating a vehicle safety function. In one implementation, a plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are developed. A first one of the software programs is installed in a memory of a vehicle controller. The program is run on the controller without delivering at least one vehicle actuator output of the controller generated as a result of running the program. Activation data for the safety function is recorded and the steps of installing, running, and recording with a second one of the plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are repeated.

Abstract: A system and a corresponding method for sensing the driving environment of a vehicle, the system having a plurality of sensors for capturing objects in the area surrounding the vehicle. The system has a plurality of evaluation units, an evaluation unit being bijectively associated in each case with a specific sensor and being adapted for analyzing a measurement performed by the sensor using a sensor model and for creating a data object to describe a particular object captured by the sensor. In addition, at least one driving-environment modeling unit is provided that is linked to each evaluation unit and is adapted for computing a driving environment model to describe the environment of the vehicle on the basis of the data objects. An evaluation unit and the at least one driving-environment modeling unit are thereby designed in a way that makes the sensor model more complex than the driving environment model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining misalignment of a radar sensor unit mounted to a vehicle includes providing targets on an alignment apparatus. A vehicle is located at predetermined location on a test station an exact given distance from the alignment apparatus. The actual locations and distances of the targets from each other and from radar sensor unit of the vehicle at the test station are known and pre-stored. At least one target is a greater distance from the vehicle than the other targets. The targets receive and return a radar wave from the radar sensor unit. The radar sensor unit determines locations and distances of the targets and compares with the given or actual locations and distances of the targets to determine misalignment of the radar sensor unit. A calibration program automatically calibrates azimuth and elevation to adjust for misalignment.

Abstract: A pedestrian collision avoidance system for a vehicle including a radar sensor, a video camera, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU detects an object in the video information and classifies the object as a pedestrian based on a comparison of the video information with a database. The ECU determines a distance to the pedestrian based on the radar information and determines a characteristic of the pedestrian based on the video information, the distance, and the database. When the pedestrian ceases to be detected by the radar sensor, the ECU determines an updated distance to the pedestrian based on the video information and the characteristic of the pedestrian. The ECU determines whether a potential for collision exists between the vehicle and the pedestrian based in part on the distance to the pedestrian, and when the potential for collision is present, the ECU activates an automatic vehicle response.

Abstract: Methods and systems of validating a vehicle safety function. In one implementation, a plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are developed. A first one of the software programs is installed in a memory of a vehicle controller. The program is run on the controller without delivering at least one vehicle actuator output of the controller generated as a result of running the program. Activation data for the safety function is recorded and the steps of installing, running, and recording with a second one of the plurality of vehicle safety function software programs are repeated.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for a vehicle. The ACC includes a vehicle speed sensor, a user interface, a steering angle sensor, a forward facing sensor, and an engine control unit (ECU). The vehicle speed sensor is configured to detect a speed of the vehicle and output an indication of the detected speed. The steering angle sensor is configured to provide an indication of the direction a driver is steering the vehicle. The forward facing sensor is configured to detect objects in front of the vehicle and to provide an indication of the objects. The ECU includes an adaptive cruise control (ACC) and is configured to receive the indications from the sensors, and to determine whether to continue following a target vehicle or to release the target vehicle and accelerate the vehicle to a cruising speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing vehicle driver assistance. One method includes determining, at a controller, whether the vehicle is steering toward a drive-straight state and when the vehicle is steering toward the drive-straight state, calculating, at the controller, a predicted course trajectory using a third order polynomial. The method also includes calculating, at the controller, the predicted course trajectory using a non-third-order function when the vehicle is not steering toward the drive-straight state. In addition, the method includes performing the driver assistance based on the predicted course trajectory.

Abstract: A method of controlling an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system of a vehicle. The method including determining a torque of an engine of the vehicle, determining a torque of a transmission of the vehicle, calculating an idle force of the vehicle, obtaining a maximum tolerable gradient, obtaining an actual gradient of a surface the vehicle is on, and turning off the adaptive cruise control when the actual gradient exceeds the maximum tolerable gradient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing vehicle driver assistance. One method includes determining, at a controller, whether the vehicle is steering toward a drive-straight state and when the vehicle is steering toward the drive-straight state, calculating, at the controller, a predicted course trajectory using a third order polynomial. The method also includes calculating, at the controller, the predicted course trajectory using a non-third-order function when the vehicle is not steering toward the drive-straight state. In addition, the method includes performing the driver assistance based on the predicted course trajectory.

Abstract: A method of controlling braking in an adaptive cruise control (ACC) of a vehicle. The method includes determining that braking is needed, including determining an amount of braking force needed, providing an indication to the brake system that braking is needed, filling the brake system with brake fluid at a predetermined rate to reduce pump noise, setting a delay equal to the amount of time needed to fill the brake system with fluid, applying a brake pad to a brake disc at the amount of braking force needed after waiting the delay, comparing the amount of braking force needed to the amount of braking force actually occurring, and reducing the delay to zero when the amount of braking force needed is less than or equal to the amount of braking force actually occurring.

Abstract: A method of controlling an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system of a vehicle. The method including determining a torque of an engine of the vehicle, determining a torque of a transmission of the vehicle, calculating an idle force of the vehicle, obtaining a maximum tolerable gradient, obtaining an actual gradient of a surface the vehicle is on, and turning off the adaptive cruise control when the actual gradient exceeds the maximum tolerable gradient.

Abstract: A method of controlling braking in an adaptive cruise control (ACC) of a vehicle. The method includes determining that braking is needed, including determining an amount of braking force needed, providing an indication to the brake system that braking is needed, filling the brake system with brake fluid at a predetermined rate to reduce pump noise, setting a delay equal to the amount of time needed to fill the brake system with fluid, applying a brake pad to a brake disc at the amount of braking force needed after waiting the delay, comparing the amount of braking force needed to the amount of braking force actually occurring, and reducing the delay to zero when the amount of braking force needed is less than or equal to the amount of braking force actually occurring.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for a vehicle. The ACC includes a vehicle speed sensor, a user interface, a steering angle sensor, a forward facing sensor, and an engine control unit (ECU). The vehicle speed sensor is configured to detect a speed of the vehicle and output an indication of the detected speed. The steering angle sensor is configured to provide an indication of the direction a driver is steering the vehicle. The forward facing sensor is configured to detect objects in front of the vehicle and to provide an indication of the objects. The ECU includes an adaptive cruise control (ACC) and is configured to receive the indications from the sensors, and to determine whether to continue following a target vehicle or to release the target vehicle and accelerate the vehicle to a cruising speed.