Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle movement comprises processing means configured to receive first signals from a receiving means arranged to receive transmitted signals from a remote control device indicating a requested motion of the vehicle. From the first signals or an additional signal received from a sensing means, one or more distance values indicative of a distance from a point on the vehicle to an object is determined, and a maximum speed value for the vehicle is determine in dependence on the one or more distance values. The processing means provides an output signal for controlling speed of the vehicle based on the requested motion. The output signal is arranged to control the speed of the vehicle to be less than or equal to the maximum speed value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects, wherein the apparatus is arranged to monitor one or more control inputs of the vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in the event that a prescribed movement of one or more of the control inputs is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle movement comprises processing means configured to receive first signals from a receiving means arranged to receive transmitted signals from a remote control device indicating a requested motion of the vehicle. From the first signals or an additional signal received from a sensing means, one or more distance values indicative of a distance from a point on the vehicle to an object is determined, and a maximum speed value for the vehicle is determine in dependence on the one or more distance values. The processing means provides an output signal for controlling speed of the vehicle based on the requested motion. The output signal is arranged to control the speed of the vehicle to be less than or equal to the maximum speed value.

Abstract: Apparatus (101) for controlling movement of a vehicle (202), a system (201) and vehicle (202) comprising the apparatus (101), and a method (500, 600) for controlling the movement of a vehicle (202) are disclosed. The apparatus (202) comprises processing means (102) configured to receive first signals from a receiving means (103) arranged to receive transmitted signals from a remote control device (204) indicating a requested motion of the vehicle (202). From the first signals or an additional signal received from a sensing means (104), one or more distance values indicative of a distance from a point on the vehicle (202) to an object is determined, and a maximum speed value for the vehicle (202) is determine in dependence on the one or more distance values. The processing means provides an output signal (106) for controlling speed of the vehicle (202) based on the requested motion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects, wherein the apparatus is arranged to monitor one or more control inputs of the vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in the event that a prescribed movement of one or more of the control inputs is detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects, wherein the apparatus is arranged to monitor one or more control inputs of the vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in the event that a prescribed movement of one or more of the control inputs is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus (101) for controlling movement of a vehicle (202), a system (201) and vehicle (202) comprising the apparatus (101), and a method (500, 600) for controlling the movement of a vehicle (202) are disclosed. The apparatus (202) comprises processing means (102) configured to receive first signals from a receiving means (103) arranged to receive transmitted signals from a remote control device (204) indicating a requested motion of the vehicle (202). From the first signals or an additional signal received from a sensing means (104), one or more distance values indicative of a distance from a point on the vehicle (202) to an object is determined, and a maximum speed value for the vehicle (202) is determine in dependence on the one or more distance values. The processing means provides an output signal (106) for controlling speed of the vehicle (202) based on the requested motion.

Abstract: A land-based automotive vehicle comprising an apparatus for estimating the depth of water about the vehicle. The apparatus comprising at least one light source, at least one imaging means such as a camera mounted to the vehicle and a control unit, the apparatus being structured and arranged such that a first light signal is emitted toward a water surface about the vehicle, the at least one camera is configured for imaging the first light signal and the control unit is configured and arranged to compute from the imagery obtained by the at least one camera an estimation of a depth of water about the vehicle.

Abstract: A system (90) for emitting shaped light (26) from a vehicle (10) and for projecting the shaped light (26) onto a surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the system comprising a controller, one or more light sources and at least one light emitter, wherein the at least one light emitter is arranged to emit at least a first light signal directed towards said surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the light emitter comprising a projection head arranged to direct light externally to the vehicle (10) and a beam shaper element, wherein the at least one light emitter is coupled to at least one of said light sources by one or more optical fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide monitoring apparatus for monitoring a target object external to a vehicle. The apparatus is operable to determine whether the target object is a valid target object in dependence on a value of a maximum range Rmax from the vehicle at which the target object has been detected. The apparatus may be operable to pre-arm a braking system and optionally apply a braking system responsive to a determination that a risk of collision exists.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus (100) for detecting an erroneous measurement of a range of a target object 20 from a subject object 5. A transmitter transmits a signal (111S) having a first frequency from the subject object (5) to the target object (20). A detector (113) detects a portion of the signal (113S) reflected from the target object (20) back to the subject object (5); a controller is configured to determine the range (202) of the target object (20) from the subject object (5) by reference to a time of flight of the portion of the signal (111S), (113S) from the transmitter (111) to the detector (113); determine the rate of change of the range (203) by reference to a difference between the first frequency and an apparent frequency of the reflected portion of the signal (113S) detected by the detector; and provide an indication (206) that an erroneous measurement of range has been made if the range (202) increases while the rate of change of range (203) is negative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door protection system (1) for protecting the doors (5A-D) of a vehicle (3). The door protection system (1) includes a processor (7) configured to receive obstruction data identifying the position of one or more obstructions (O) in relation to the vehicle (3). The processor (7) determines the proximity of each vehicle door (5A-D) to the obstruction(s) and outputs a notification signal based on the determined proximity. A door position signal can be received from a door position sensor (29A-D) associated with each door (5A-D). The processor (7) can determine the proximity of each vehicle door (5A-D) to the obstruction(s) based on the door position signal in combination with the obstruction data. In an alternate arrangement, the door protection system (1) is configured to monitor one or more vehicle systems to determine when a vehicle occupant is preparing to open the vehicle door (5A-D).

Abstract: A system (90) for emitting shaped light (26) from a vehicle (10) and for projecting the shaped light (26) onto a surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the system comprising a controller, one or more light sources and at least one light emitter, wherein the at least one light emitter is arranged to emit at least a first light signal directed towards said surface (18) external to the vehicle (10), the light emitter comprising a projection head arranged to direct light externally to the vehicle (10) and a beam shaper element, wherein the at least one light emitter is coupled to at least one of said light sources by one or more optical fibres.

Abstract: A land-based automotive vehicle (10, 110) comprising an apparatus (12a, 12b) for estimating the depth of water (H) about the vehicle. The apparatus comprising at least one light source (70), at least one imaging means such as a camera (30) mounted to the vehicle and a control unit (40), the apparatus being structured and arranged such that a first light signal is emitted toward a water surface (18) about the vehicle, the at least one camera is configured for imaging the first light signal and the control unit is configured and arranged to compute from the imagery obtained by the at least one camera an estimation of a depth of water about the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide computing apparatus for determining a height of a roof load of a vehicle, the apparatus being operable to: display a captured image of at least a portion a the vehicle and roof load on display means of the apparatus; superimpose a vehicle overlay on the image; and allow a user to manipulate the vehicle overlay thereby to obtain a prescribed correspondence between the overlay and the at least a portion of the vehicle, wherein the apparatus is further operable to calculate a height of the roof load and to provide an output corresponding to the calculated height.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor. The apparatus is arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to detection by means of the at least one sensor of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine a lateral offset value being a distance of the or each target object from an extended axis of the host vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in dependence on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine whether the at least one sensor is correctly aligned with respect to the host vehicle whereby, when the apparatus commences monitoring of the environment, the apparatus is arranged not to trigger the at least one action until the apparatus has determined that the at least one sensor is correctly aligned.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor. The apparatus is arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to detection by means of the at least one sensor of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine a lateral offset value being a distance of the or each target object from an extended axis of the host vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in dependence on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects, wherein the apparatus is arranged to monitor one or more control inputs of the vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in the event that a prescribed movement of one or more of the control inputs is detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide monitoring apparatus for monitoring a target object external to a vehicle. The apparatus is operable to determine whether the target object is a valid target object in dependence on a value of a maximum range Rmax from the vehicle at which the target object has been detected. The apparatus may be operable to pre-arm a braking system and optionally apply a braking system responsive to a determination that a risk of collision exists.