Abstract: A system and method for determining if a field calibration of a subject sensor associated with a vehicle is warranted, and calibrating the subject sensor using a sensor associated with another vehicle when calibration is warranted. Reference vehicles may perform predetermined maneuvers in order to provide additional measurements for use during calibration.

Abstract: A method for managing tracklets in a particle filter estimation framework includes executing a tracklet prediction dependent on a list of previous tracklets, thereby determining persistent tracklets and new tracklets; sampling new measurements for initializing the new tracklets, thereby determining an amount of estimated new tracklets; and determining an amount of the persistent tracklets dependent on the list of previous tracklets. The method further includes determining an amount of the new tracklets and an amount of updated persistent tracklets to be sampled dependent on the amount of estimated new tracklets, the amount of the persistent tracklets, and a memory bound; sampling the updated persistent tracklets from a list of the persistent tracklets dependent on the determined amount of the updated persistent tracklets; and sampling the new tracklets from unassociated measurements dependent on the determined amount of the new tracklets.

Abstract: A system and method of sensor validation utilizing a sensor-fusion network. The sensor-fusion network may comprise a number of sensors associated with one or more vehicles having autonomous or partially autonomous driving functions.

Abstract: A method for managing tracklets in a particle filter estimation framework includes executing a tracklet prediction dependent on a list of previous tracklets, thereby determining persistent tracklets and new tracklets; sampling new measurements for initializing the new tracklets, thereby determining an amount of estimated new tracklets; and determining an amount of the persistent tracklets dependent on the list of previous tracklets. The method further includes determining an amount of the new tracklets and an amount of updated persistent tracklets to be sampled dependent on the amount of estimated new tracklets, the amount of the persistent tracklets, and a memory bound; sampling the updated persistent tracklets from a list of the persistent tracklets dependent on the determined amount of the updated persistent tracklets; and sampling the new tracklets from unassociated measurements dependent on the determined amount of the new tracklets.

Abstract: A system and method of sensor validation utilizing a sensor-fusion network. The sensor-fusion network may comprise a number of sensors associated with one or more vehicles having autonomous or partially autonomous driving functions.

Abstract: A system and method for determining if a field calibration of a subject sensor associated with a vehicle is warranted, and calibrating the subject sensor using a sensor associated with another vehicle when calibration is warranted. Reference vehicles may perform predetermined maneuvers in order to provide additional measurements for use during calibration.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying an object as a potential collision hazard for a vehicle. The system performs a method that includes sensing an object in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle with a sensor and determining a location of the vehicle. The method includes estimating an amount of curvature of a road segment associated with the location based on predetermined map data and generating, via an electronic processor, a reaction area based on the amount of curvature of the road segment. The method also includes identifying the object as a potential collision hazard when the object is located within the reaction area.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, at an electronic processor, a limit for a forward velocity setpoint of the autonomous vehicle based a range of a forward facing sensor and detecting whether a preceding vehicle is in a field of view of the forward facing sensor. The method includes determining a speed of the preceding vehicle, and when the preceding vehicle is in the field of view of the autonomous vehicle, adjusting the limit based on the speed of the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A lane assistance system of a host vehicle for reacting to fast and extremely fast approaching vehicles includes a rear radar sensing unit having a sensor and an electronic controller. The electronic controller determines the distance and relative velocity of the fast approaching vehicle to the host vehicle. Further, depending on the closeness of the approaching vehicle, the lane of the approaching vehicle is determined from angular resolution of the radar signal. When the vehicle is approaching at an extremely fast rate and the angular resolution of the radar signal is not capable of determining an exact relative lane of the approaching vehicle due to the vehicle being too far away, the assistance system warns against or prevents lane changes by the host vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying an object as a potential collision hazard for a vehicle. The system performs a method that includes sensing an object in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle with a sensor and determining a location of the vehicle. The method includes estimating an amount of curvature of a road segment associated with the location based on predetermined map data and generating, via an electronic processor, a reaction area based on the amount of curvature of the road segment. The method also includes identifying the object as a potential collision hazard when the object is located within the reaction area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle brake system while the vehicle is in reverse. The method includes prefilling the brake system upon detecting an object in the vehicle's path. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a first threshold is reached, light braking is applied. If the vehicle continues to move toward the detected object and a second threshold is reached, heavier braking up to full braking is applied to prevent the vehicle from colliding with the object.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, at an electronic processor, a limit for a forward velocity setpoint of the autonomous vehicle based a range of a forward facing sensor and detecting whether a preceding vehicle is in a field of view of the forward facing sensor. The method includes determining a speed of the preceding vehicle, and when the preceding vehicle is in the field of view of the autonomous vehicle, adjusting the limit based on the speed of the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an area underneath an autonomous vehicle. The method includes capturing a first topography of a ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle with a sensor when the autonomous vehicle is stationary; storing the topography of the ground surface in a memory prior to the autonomous vehicle being switched off; capturing a second topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle with the sensor before the autonomous vehicle begins moving; and comparing, with an electronic processor, the first topography with the second topography. The method includes enabling autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle when the first topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle and the second topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle match.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an area underneath an autonomous vehicle. The method includes capturing a first topography of a ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle with a sensor when the autonomous vehicle is stationary; storing the topography of the ground surface in a memory prior to the autonomous vehicle being switched off; capturing a second topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle with the sensor before the autonomous vehicle begins moving; and comparing, with an electronic processor, the first topography with the second topography. The method includes enabling autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle when the first topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle and the second topography of the ground surface underneath the autonomous vehicle match.

Abstract: A lane assistance system of a host vehicle for reacting to fast and extremely fast approaching vehicles includes a rear radar sensing unit having a sensor and an electronic controller. The electronic controller determines the distance and relative velocity of the fast approaching vehicle to the host vehicle. Further, depending on the closeness of the approaching vehicle, the lane of the approaching vehicle is determined from angular resolution of the radar signal. When the vehicle is approaching at an extremely fast rate and the angular resolution of the radar signal is not capable of determining an exact relative lane of the approaching vehicle due to the vehicle being too far away, the assistance system warns against or prevents lane changes by the host vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a host vehicle to mitigate rear-end collisions. One method includes automatically maintaining the host vehicle at least a predetermined following distance from a front vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle. The method also includes detecting a rear vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle and determining when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle. In addition, the method includes automatically, by a controller, increasing a speed of the host vehicle when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle, and automatically reducing the predetermined following distance to decrease a distance between the host vehicle and the front vehicle and increase a distance between the host vehicle and the rear vehicle when the rear vehicle poses a rear-end collision risk with the host vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system senses and provides an indication of an approaching vehicle located sidewardly and rearwardly within an immediately adjacent driving lane to a host vehicle. The system includes left and right rear sensor units proximate rear corners of the host vehicle. The rear sensor units sense vehicles on respective sides and rearwardly of the host vehicle. When either rear sensor unit detects an approaching vehicle within the adjacent lane on the opposite side of the host vehicle therefrom, the rear sensor unit provides an opposite-lane warning signal to the other rear sensor unit. The system includes providing host vehicle driving path information to the rear sensor units for determining the path of the adjacent lanes adjacent to and rearward of the host vehicle. The path information accounts for curves in a roadway. Further, the rear sensor units detect the speed of a closing vehicle.

Abstract: Detection systems for detecting adjacent vehicles and objects around a vehicle including two faces and configured to be secured to a corner of a vehicle. A first antenna face associated with a first antenna is supported by a housing. A second antenna face associated with a second antenna is supported by the housing. An external side of the second antenna face is positioned at a reflex angle with respect to an external side of the first antenna face. The first antenna and the second antenna can be controlled by an electronic control unit that transmits adjacent vehicle and object information detected by the first antenna and the second antenna to other control systems in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for supporting lane assist functions for a vehicle towing a trailer. The system includes performing lane departure warning and lane centering assist functions that operate differently when the presence of a trailer is detected. The system warns the driver if either the vehicle or trailer will depart the lane, using different warnings for the vehicle and trailer. The system further provides lane centering assist functions that operate to center the vehicle and trailer together. Corresponding methods are also provided.

Abstract: A lane departure monitoring system uses a forward sensor to determine a lane position of a host vehicle and to detect oncoming vehicles. Rear side sensors monitor the side blind-spots of the host vehicle as well as vehicles in the adjacent lanes that are approaching from the rear. A control system combines the information provided by these sensors and runs integrated programs to carry out a method for providing lane keeping assist and lane departure warnings.