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 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: A cruise control system for a road vehicle having apparatus which, when cruise control is engaged, is arranged to inform the driver of the vehicle when a maximum braking force allowed by the cruise control system is being applied, so that the driver can make a decision as to whether or not to take over control of the vehicle from the cruise control system.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a road vehicle having means for the establishment of a number of interlock conditions which, if broken, cause the cruise control system to adopt an intermediate condition wherein, if the vehicle is still moving, the cruise control system is arranged to be disabled, and, if the vehicle is stationary, the cruise control system is arranged to hold the vehicle at rest until either overridden by the driver or positively reselected by the driver.

Abstract: A cruise control system arranged to determine whether the closest targeted vehicle ahead of a vehicle being controlled is running in its lane or an adjacent lane and if it is determined that the closest vehicle is running in an adjacent slower lane, allowing the controlled vehicle to overtake the closest vehicle if the way ahead is clear, and if it is determined that the closest vehicle is running in an adjacent faster lane, selecting that closest vehicle as a prime target to control the acceleration of the controlled vehicle unless there is another vehicle running in the same lane as the controlled vehicle which requires deceleration of the controlled vehicle, in which case the vehicle running in the same lane is selected as the prime target.

Abstract: An AICC cruise control system which operates in accordance with a driver's headway request given in terms of a desired time interval between the controlled vehicle and the preceding (target) vehicle, wherein, upon slowing of the target vehicle towards zero velocity, the calculated station of the controlled vehicle behind the target is changed from being a pure time-based interval into a time interval which is calculated to include a proportion of a desired residual range at standstill, the proportion being dependent upon the velocity of the controlled vehicle.