Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting available parking spaces in a parking environment. Radar systems are utilized to gather data about a parking lot environment. The radar data is provided to a neural network model as an input. Algorithms employing neural networks can be trained to recognize parked vehicles and conflicting data regarding debris, shopping carts, street lamps, traffic signs, pedestrians, etc. The neural network model processes the radar data to estimate parking space boundaries and to approximate the parking space boundaries as splines. The neural network model outputs spline estimations to a vehicle computer system. The vehicle computer system utilizes the spline estimates to detect available parking spaces. The spline estimates are updated as the vehicle navigates the parking environment.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor having a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a first distance signal output by a radar sensor and calibrate an ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor. A method includes receiving a first distance signal output by a radar sensor, receiving a second distance signal output by an ultrasound sensor, and calibrating the ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using virtual data to test and train parking space detection systems. Aspects of the invention integrate a virtual driving environment with sensor models (e.g., of a radar system) to provide virtual radar data in relatively large quantities in a relatively short amount of time. The sensor models perceive values for relevant parameters of a training data set. Relevant parameters can be randomized in the recorded data to ensure a diverse training data set with minimal bias. Since the driving environment is virtualized, the training data set can be generated alongside ground truth data. The ground truth data is used to annotate true locations, which are used to train a parking space classification algorithms to detect the free space boundaries.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting available parking spaces in a parking environment. Radar systems are utilized to gather data about a parking lot environment. The radar data is provided to a neural network model as an input. Algorithms employing neural networks can be trained to recognize parked vehicles and conflicting data regarding debris, shopping carts, street lamps, traffic signs, pedestrians, etc. The neural network model processes the radar data to estimate parking space boundaries and to approximate the parking space boundaries as splines. The neural network model outputs spline estimations to a vehicle computer system. The vehicle computer system utilizes the spline estimates to detect available parking spaces. The spline estimates are updated as the vehicle navigates the parking environment.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processor having a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a first distance signal output by a radar sensor and calibrate an ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor. A method includes receiving a first distance signal output by a radar sensor, receiving a second distance signal output by an ultrasound sensor, and calibrating the ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining if a windshield wiper of a vehicle should be automatically activated. The system and method may include a sensor system that receives at least one distance signal indicative of a distance between an object and a front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may further receive a relative velocity of the object using the at least one distance signal, the relative velocity being indicative of a velocity between the object and the front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may determine whether a windshield wiper should be automatically activated in response to the distance signal being within a distance activation range and the relative velocity being within a velocity activation range or the relative velocity exceeding a maximum velocity threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.

Abstract: A sensor system for a host vehicle may detect whether another in-path vehicle is turning. The sensor system may include a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. Signals may be emitted by the transmitter over a detection area. The emitted signals may reflect off an object vehicle in the detection area and be received by the receiver. The receiver may include a number of channels, each corresponding to a different region of the detection area. The sensor system may determine whether the in-path vehicle is turning and in what direction based on the reflected signals received at each channel.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing the fusion of road geometry model information in different forms from different sources in a manner that is comprehensive, efficient, and effective. Such fused road geometry model information for a particular vehicle (i.e., an ego vehicle) provides for improved performance of active safety functionality. Examples of active safety functionalities include, but are not limited to, curve speed warning, selection of target objects that are potential threats to the ego vehicle by helping the ego vehicle's path prediction, and the like.

Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed to implementing the fusion of road geometry model information in different forms from different sources in a manner that is comprehensive, efficient, and effective. Such fused road geometry model information for a particular vehicle (i.e., an ego vehicle) provides for improved performance of active safety functionality. Examples of active safety functionalities include, but are not limited to, curve speed warning, selection of target objects that are potential threats to the ego vehicle by helping the ego vehicle's path prediction, and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.

Abstract: A sensor system for a host vehicle may detect whether another in-path vehicle is turning. The sensor system may include a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. Signals may be emitted by the transmitter over a detection area. The emitted signals may reflect off an object vehicle in the detection area and be received by the receiver. The receiver may include a number of channels, each corresponding to a different region of the detection area. The sensor system may determine whether the in-path vehicle is turning and in what direction based on the reflected signals received at each channel.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying a target vehicle using a sensor system, including a plurality of target vehicle sensors. The sensor system acquiring target vehicle data points that define at least an upper and lower portion of the target vehicle. The sensor system reconstructing a target vehicle shape using the target vehicle data points to provide a first and second target vehicle classification value. The sensor system determining an overall target vehicle classification based in part upon the first and second target vehicle classification values.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining if a windshield wiper of a vehicle should be automatically activated. The system and method may include a sensor system that receives at least one distance signal indicative of a distance between an object and a front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may further receive a relative velocity of the object using the at least one distance signal, the relative velocity being indicative of a velocity between the object and the front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may determine whether a windshield wiper should be automatically activated in response to the distance signal being within a distance activation range and the relative velocity being within a velocity activation range or the relative velocity exceeding a maximum velocity threshold.