Abstract: A distance information system and method are provided for a motor vehicle. At least one sensor measures the distance between the own motor vehicle and a vehicle situated ahead. A control unit is configured to determine as a function of signals of the sensor whether the measured distance is less than a specified minimum distance for longer than a specified time period. At least one optical display is activated when it is determined that the measured distance is less than the specified minimum distance for more than a specified time period. The minimum distance and/or the time period is/are defined as a function of a detected or inferred lane-change situation.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) apparatus for a vehicle may include: a transmission unit configured to output transmission light; a reception unit configured to receive reflection light that results from the transmission light being reflected by an object; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to: based on a driving state of the vehicle, adjust an angle of beam steering of the transmission light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for interface verification for vehicle remote park-assist. An example vehicle system includes a vehicle and a mobile device. The mobile device includes a touchscreen and a controller. The controller is to present, via the touchscreen, an interface of a remote parking app and receive, via the touchscreen, an input to initiate remote parking when the interface is presented. The controller is to temporarily stop presenting the interface and stop initiation of remote parking responsive to continuing to receive the input when the interface is not displayed.

Abstract: Methods and vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems for determining a gap in traffic between two transportation vehicles for a lane change of a transportation vehicle. The method includes identifying the gap in traffic based on a first detection operation and based on a second detection operation. The first detection operation is based on at least one vehicle-to-vehicle status message of at least one other transportation vehicle. The second detection operation is based on an on-board sensor system of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for determining vehicle position uses light based communication (LBC) signals and a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to determine the vehicle position. Each vehicle includes a LBC system having an array of transmitting light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an array of receiver photodiodes for transmitting and receiving pulsed light binary messages. Each LBC system has a controller coupled to the transmitter diodes and receiver diodes. The controller includes a vehicle communication module that may be executed by a processor to determine the distance. The processor models a first distance between a first transmitting LBC system and a first receiving LBC system, then models a second distance between a second transmitting LBC system and the first receiving LBC system, and then determines the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle using trilateration of the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a collision prevention apparatus and method, and a driving support apparatus. The collision prevention apparatus may comprise: a collision risk determiner that determines a collision risk of a vehicle, a driving intervention determiner that determines driving intervention of a driver, and a collision prevention controller that controls a collision risk alert according to a result of determination on a collision risk of the vehicle, and adjusts a braking time point of the vehicle according to a result of determination on driving intervention of the driver.

Abstract: An integrated security system is described that integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network (broadband, cellular/GSM, POTS access) that enables users to remotely stay connected to their premises. The integrated security system, while delivering remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection, complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices (cameras, lamp modules, thermostats, etc.) can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video and/or pictures and control home devices via their personal web portal or webpage, mobile phone, and/or other remote client device.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling controller performs emergency evacuation traveling in the case of an emergency. The vehicle traveling controller determines whether a vehicle traveling in accordance with a normal traveling rule is not dangerous and becomes proper traveling or not based on environmental information around the vehicle, when it is determined that the vehicle traveling in accordance with the normal traveling rule becomes proper traveling, executes normal traveling control for instructing the vehicle to travel in accordance with the normal traveling rule, and when the vehicle traveling in accordance with the normal traveling rule does not become proper traveling, executes emergency evacuation traveling control for instructing the vehicle to perform emergency evacuation traveling not in accordance with the normal traveling rule.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect a nearby vehicle that travels near a host vehicle; an estimating unit configured to estimate a positional change of the nearby vehicle detected by the detecting unit; and a period deriving unit configured to derive a lane changeable period during which lane change is possible to a lane change target position set as a relative position with respect to the nearby vehicle that travels in an adjacent lane that is adjacent to a host vehicle lane on the basis of a positional change of the nearby vehicle estimated by the estimating unit.

Abstract: Enhanced systems and methods for collision avoidance of a high value asset with reflective beacons around it using multi-sensor data fusion on a mobile industrial vehicle. The system has a sensing processing system with a LiDAR and camera sensors, and a multi-processor module responsive to the different sensors. The sensing processing system fuses the different sensor data to locate the reflective beacons. A model predictive controller on the vehicle determines possible control solutions where each defines a threshold allowable speed for the vehicle at discrete moments based upon an estimated path to a breaching point projected from the reflective beacons, and then identifies an optimal one of the control solutions based upon a performance cost function and associated with an optimal threshold allowable speed. The system has a vehicle actuator configured to respond and alter vehicle movement to avoid a collision when the vehicle exceeds the optimal threshold allowable speed.

Abstract: A vehicle radar system, such as a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radar system, for estimating a Doppler frequency shift and a method of using the same. In one example, a modulated signal is mixed with an orthogonal code sequence and is transmitted by a transmit antenna array with a plurality of transmitting antennas. The signals reflect off of a target object and are received by a receive antenna array with a plurality of receiving antennas. Each of the received signals, which likely includes a Doppler frequency shift, is processed and mixed with a number of frequency shift hypotheses that are intended to offset the Doppler frequency shift and result in a series of correlation values. The frequency shift hypothesis with the highest correlation value is selected and used to correct for the Doppler frequency shift so that more accurate target object parameters, such as velocity, can be obtained.

Abstract: An approach is provided for mapping vulnerable road users. The approach, for example, involves receiving sensor data from at least one vehicle indicating a presence of at least one vulnerable road user. The sensor data indicates a detected location of the at least one vulnerable road user. The approach also involves map matching the detected location of the at least one vulnerable road user to at least one road node, link, and/or a segment thereof of a geographic database. The approach further involves generating a vulnerable road user attribute to indicate a probability of the presence of the at least one vulnerable road user based on the sensor data. The approach further involves storing the vulnerable road user attribute in the geographic database as an attribute of the at least one road node, link, and/or segment.

Abstract: Control over the operation of an electrically-controlled motor is supported by an interface circuit between the electrically-controlled motor and a near-field radio frequency communication controller. The interface circuit includes a first circuit that receives at least one control set point through a near-field radio frequency communication issued by the near-field radio frequency communication controller. A second circuit of the interface generates one or more electric signals in pulse width modulation based on the control set point.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first trajectory of the motor vehicle during a driver-controlled movement of the motor vehicle; determining a second trajectory on the basis of the first trajectory; and storing the second trajectory for the subsequent driver-independent guidance of the motor vehicle on the second trajectory. In this case, the second trajectory includes an optimization of the first trajectory.

Abstract: Object recognition and classification based on data from multiple sensor modalities is disclosed. A computing system can detect an event in a monitored portion of an environment coordinate field associated with a vehicle. The computing system can retrieve data associated with the detected event from a plurality of modalities. At least one of the modalities can include raw data from a sensor associated with the vehicle. The computing system can classify the detected event based at least in part on the retrieved data and one or more parameters of a classifier.

Abstract: A method for operating vehicles, in particular track-bound vehicles, permits two vehicles to approach one another even to comparatively short distances and at the same time can be implemented with comparatively low expenditure. For this purpose, a collision by a first vehicle towards the rear of a second vehicle is detected by the second vehicle, a warning message is emitted by the second vehicle triggered by the detection of the collision or running into from the rear, and a braking process is triggered by the first vehicle on the basis of the warning message emitted by the second vehicle. A device for a vehicle which detects the collision of a further vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method for displacing a mobile robot on a virtual path within a workspace, comprising the generation of a synthetic offset, indicative of a lateral displacement between the instantaneous position of the mobile robot and the virtual path. The method may also include the generation of virtual tags and may be used in the retrofit or upgrade of autonomous vehicles of the line-following type.

Abstract: A torque and angular sensor includes a differential angle sensor to precisely measure a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft and an angular position sensor to measure the angle of at least one of the shafts over a full angular range. The differential angle sensor measures an output rotation angle of an output target and an input rotation angle of an input target using changing voltages in taps on the input and output coils, which each carry an AC excitation current and which are each inductively coupled with teeth on targets fixed to rotate with one of the shafts. Input shaft rotation angle region is combined with the input angular position as a rotation angle composite. A raw torque angle is determined based on the difference between the input and output rotation angles. Rotational and Linear compensation provides a high-precision torque angle.

Abstract: A structured light pattern is projected onto the path of a vehicle so as to generate a plurality of light spots, and an image thereof is captured from the vehicle. A world-space elevation of at least a portion of the light spots is responsive to a pitch angle of the vehicle determined responsive to image-space locations of down-range-separated light spots.

Abstract: A goods-to-man warehousing system comprises a multilevel racking system, a plurality of mobile storage units, a storage unit transporter, a pick-place vehicle, a mobile storage unit transfer node, and a warehouse management computing hub. The multilevel racking system comprises a vertically and horizontally distributed array of storage bays. One or more of the mobile storage units are positioned in respective ones of the storage bays of the multilevel racking system. The pick-place vehicle comprises pick-place hardware that enables the pick-place vehicle to transfer mobile storage units between a plurality of different, vertically displaced storage bays of the multilevel racking system and the mobile storage unit transfer node of the goods-to-man warehousing system. The storage unit transporter comprises storage unit engagement hardware that enables the storage unit transporter to transport mobile storage units to or from the mobile storage unit transfer node of the goods-to-man warehousing system.

Abstract: A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using a focal plane array (FPA) module of the video camera. The scene of imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth. The method also includes processing, using an image processing module coupled to the FPA module, the scene of imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method further includes forming a super frame including the display data and the scene of imaging data and outputting the super frame.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for determining routes within a location. Location information for a location may be obtained. The location information may include terrain information for the location. A set of restricted regions within the location may be determined based on the location information. A set of paths within the location may be determined based on the set of restricted regions. An interface through which information describing the set of paths within the location is accessible may be provided.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a dual clutch transmission that adjusts a travel speed of the vehicle based on clutch torque, a brake that makes the vehicle slow down to reduce the travel speed of the vehicle, and a controller that sets a target speed of the vehicle and controls the dual clutch transmission and the brake to allow the travel speed of the vehicle to follow the set target speed.

Abstract: In a method, an area surrounding a first motor vehicle is scanned optically on the part of the first motor vehicle; a message is determined on the basis of the scanned information; the message is transmitted from the first motor vehicle to a second motor vehicle, a distance between the first and the second motor vehicle not exceeding a predetermined maximum value; a graphic representation of the area surrounding the first motor vehicle is determined on the basis of the message; and the representation is output on board the second motor vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing by a processor of image data captured by the camera, the control system determines traffic lanes on the road. The control system determines a leading vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle and determines a traffic condition where two traffic lanes change to a different number of traffic lanes. The traffic lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle is one of the two traffic lanes that change to the different number of traffic lanes. Responsive to determination of the traffic condition and responsive to detection of the leading vehicle moving from the traffic lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle into another traffic lane, the control system controls the steering system of the equipped vehicle to follow the leading vehicle into the other traffic lane.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus, system, and method for vehicle collision avoidance control. When a velocity of a vehicle is determined to be a control-involved velocity or higher, blinking of hazard lights of a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle is recognized, and one or more of driver warning and deceleration control are performed on the basis of recognition of blinking of the hazard light of the preceding vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to recognize a probability of vehicle collision and avoid vehicle collision.

Abstract: A goods-to-man warehousing system comprises a multilevel racking system, a plurality of mobile storage units, a storage unit transporter, a pick-place vehicle, a mobile storage unit transfer node, and a warehouse management computing hub. The multilevel racking system comprises a vertically and horizontally distributed array of storage bays. One or more of the mobile storage units are positioned in respective ones of the storage bays of the multilevel racking system. The pick-place vehicle comprises pick-place hardware that enables the pick-place vehicle to transfer mobile storage units between a plurality of different, vertically displaced storage bays of the multilevel racking system and the mobile storage unit transfer node of the goods-to-man warehousing system. The storage unit transporter comprises storage unit engagement hardware that enables the storage unit transporter to transport mobile storage units to or from the mobile storage unit transfer node of the goods-to-man warehousing system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining fault for an accident involving a vehicle having one or more autonomous (and/or semi-autonomous) operation features and paying claims associated with such accidents are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data from sensors within or near the vehicle may be used to determine the occurrence of a vehicle accident, such as a collision. The operating data may further be used to determine an allocation of fault for the accident between a vehicle operator, the autonomous operation features, or a third party. The allocation of fault may be used to further determine and make claims payments related to the accident. In some embodiments, claims may be rejected based upon the operating data and determined allocation of fault.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes: a cleaner body; a wheel; a dust container; a cover member that is configured to (i) rotate, about an axis that is outside of a plane of the cover member, between a first position and a second position and (ii) cover, based on the cover member being located at the first position or the second position, the first opening of the cleaner body and a portion of the dust container; a cover member coupling portion that couples the cover member to the cleaner body and that is configured to rotate about the second axis with the cover member; a suction nozzle that is coupled to the dust container and that is configured to guide dust into the dust container; and a display that is coupled to the cover member and that is configured to display operating information of the vacuum cleaner is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a road surface condition sensing system and method. The road surface condition sensing system includes an acoustic sensing unit for sensing an acoustic signal of a floor of a vehicle, and a control unit for calculating a feature vector by Fourier transforming the sensed acoustic signal, comparing the calculated feature vector with a plurality of previously stored feature vectors and returning a first feature vector having the smallest relative distance to the calculated feature vector, and outputting a road surface condition corresponding to the first feature vector.

Abstract: A method for real-time visualization of a risk zone of a mining vehicle to a person on a mining worksite for augmenting the person's current view of the mining vehicle including capturing with a camera a stream of pictures corresponding at least partly to the person's field of view, recognizing at least one mining vehicle in the picture stream by means of image processing, extracting image data of the mining vehicle from the picture stream, calculating, based on the image data and on preset vehicle risk zone data, at least one risk zone of the mining vehicle adapted to the person's current view of the mining vehicle, and visualizing the risk zone on a person's display such that the person's current view of the mining vehicle is overlayed in real-time with the visualization of the risk zone.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning robot including a main body; a driving unit configured to move the main body; a communication unit configured to establish wireless communication with a user terminal to which a manipulation command is input; and a controller configured to transmit a position detecting signal to the user terminal, and detect a position of the user terminal based on a time difference between the position detecting signal and a response signal transmitted from the user terminal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying an object along a road, where the object may be represented by a bounding box, and projecting a set of obstacle points within the bounding box corresponding to the identified object. In one aspect, a two-dimensional plane oriented perpendicular to a direction of the movement of the vehicle may be identified. In another aspect, the areas of the plane that may be occupied based on the set of obstacle points may be determined to generate a contour of the identified object. Thereafter, the height profiles of the identified object and the vehicle may be determined and identified, respectively. Based on the height profiles, a minimum clearance may be determined.

Abstract: To generate an image that captures a 360-degree horizontal view around a vehicle in a lidar system, four or more lidar sensors may be placed at the four corners of the vehicle. Each lidar sensor is phased 90 degrees apart and synchronously scans a respective 90-degree field of regard. The 90 degree fields of regard from each of the four or more lidar sensors may combine to scan a complete 360-degree field of regard around the vehicle.

Abstract: An ultra-short range radar (USRR) system of a vehicle includes an object detection module configured to, based on radar signals from USRR sensors of the vehicle: identify the presence of an object that is external to the vehicle; determine a location of the object; and determine at least one of a height, a length, and a width of the object. A remedial action module is configured to, based on the location of the object and the at least one dimension of the object, at least one of: selectively actuate an actuator of the vehicle; selectively generate an audible alert via at least one speaker of the vehicle; and selectively generate a visual alert via at least one light emitting device of the vehicle.

Abstract: An unmanned operation vehicle includes a housing, a wheel provided in the housing, and an operation unit provided under the housing. The housing includes a camera unit, a stop switch configured to stop driving of the wheel and the operation unit when actuated, and a stop switch actuating member configured to actuate the stop switch. The camera unit is arranged substantially at a center of an upper surface of the housing in a plan view, and the stop switch actuating member is arranged immediately above an upper surface of the camera unit.

Abstract: An automatic driving system includes an electronic control device configured to: detect a driving operation input amount during an automatic driving control for a vehicle; determine whether the driver is able to start manual driving during the automatic driving control for the vehicle; output a signal for performing switching from automatic driving to the manual driving based on a result of a comparison between the driving operation input amount and a driving switching threshold that is a threshold for the switching from the automatic driving to the manual driving; set the driving switching threshold to a first driving switching threshold when it is determined that the driver is able to start the manual driving; and set the driving switching threshold to a second driving switching threshold exceeding the first driving switching threshold when it is determined that the driver is not able to start the manual driving.

Abstract: An on-board terminal device includes a location measuring section that measures a location of an own vehicle, a wireless communication section that transmits own vehicle information including location information of the own vehicle to other vehicles and receives other vehicle information including location information of the other vehicles from the other vehicles by execution of wireless communication with the other vehicles, and a monitoring section that estimates the location of the other vehicles and calculates a relative distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicles when the wireless communication has been interrupted, and executes an alarm process for preventing collision of the own vehicle and the other vehicles when the relative distance is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a recognizer (110, 120) that recognizes an object present around a host vehicle; and an apparatus operation controller (130) that determines whether the object is recognized in a predetermined target area by the recognizer and causes an onboard apparatus to perform a predetermined operation when it is determined that an object has been recognized by the recognizer. The predetermined target area is set around the host vehicle, and the apparatus operation controller determines whether the host vehicle enters or has entered a predetermined branching point and lowers a level of the predetermined operation performed by the onboard apparatus when it is determined that the host vehicle enters or has entered the predetermined branching point.

Abstract: A monitoring unit for security and automation in a premises are described. The monitoring unit uses remote configuration and control to enable monitoring of a premises. The monitoring unit provides multiple monitoring functions to respond to events within the space and alert a user at a remote device like a smartphone. An image sensor provides a wide field of view which can be segmented on the mobile device to enable specific areas to be viewed enabling the user to view the area and be alerted when an event occurs based upon a rules based configuration.

Abstract: A driving consciousness estimation device includes a driving readiness estimation unit configured to estimate a driving readiness relating to a driving consciousness of the driver from a driver's reaction to the travelling environment, a driving task demand estimation unit configured to estimate a driving task demand which is an index required for the driver with respect to the driving readiness from the travelling environment, and an attention awakening unit configured to execute awakening of attention for the driver relating to the driving of the vehicle based on the result of comparison between the driving readiness and the driving task demand.

Abstract: A driving evaluation system includes an acquirer configured to acquire an operation state of a direction indicator and a relative position of a vehicle with respect to a traveling lane along which the vehicle travels, and an evaluator configured to refer to the relative position acquired and thereby evaluate a driver's skill in driving as higher as the vehicle travels at a position closer to the center of the traveling lane, the evaluator reducing an influence of the relative position of the vehicle on an evaluation during a first period from when the direction indicator is operated to be in an on state on the basis of the operation state of the direction indicator, and gradually reducing the influence during a second period shorter than the first period from when the direction indicator is operated to be in an on state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying an object (3) in a surrounding region (4) of a motor vehicle (1) as a pedestrian (5), in which the surrounding region (4) is captured in images (B) by means of at least one vehicle-side camera (6), wherein a shadow (11) that is projected from the object (3) onto a ground (12) in the surrounding region (4) and a contrast pattern (13) that is formed on the ground (12) and depends on the shadow (11) are detected in at least one of the captured images (B) and the object (3) is identified on the basis of a comparison of the contrast pattern (13) that was formed with a predetermined contrast pattern that characterizes a pedestrian (5). The invention moreover relates to a driver assistance system (2) and a motor vehicle (1).

Abstract: A vehicle impact is determined to be likely to occur. Determinations are made that a vehicle speed is below a first predetermined threshold, that a vehicle pedal condition is met, and that a vehicle acceleration is below a second predetermined threshold. At least one instruction is then provided that includes at least one of an instruction to override an acceleration request and an instruction to suppress a throttle.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive, in a vehicle, an instruction, via an ultra-short-range transceiver that is mounted underneath a vehicle exterior surface, and actuate a vehicle component based on the received instruction.

Abstract: A remote-controlled robotic spray painter is used to evenly coat the surface of a corrugated metal roof with paint by having frame with four wheels having 4-wheel drive. Mounted on the front of the frame is a camera with a transmitter and a servo motor to move the camera and at least one spray nozzle with an on/off spray servo. On the rear of the frame is a speed sensor, a drive motor to drive the 4 wheels and control the speed and direction of the drive motors, and a microprocessor. A remote control transmitter/receiver receives the image from the camera and through operator controls moves the camera to the desired position, controls the speed and direction of the drive motor, and starts and stops spraying using a nozzle servo. The robot has no steering mechanism, as it is simply driven in a straight line, forward and reverse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, an intersection located at the bottom of a hill. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where an intersection of roads is located at the bottom of a hill and then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate such locations. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to take a precautionary action as the vehicle approaches such a location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating autonomous vehicle confidence levels are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system including one or more computing devices onboard an autonomous vehicle, data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing system, a vehicle confidence level associated with one or more system actions of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing system, an external vehicle indication that is indicative of the vehicle confidence level. The method includes outputting, by the computing system via an output device onboard the autonomous vehicle, the external vehicle indication that is indicative of the vehicle confidence level. The external vehicle indication is outputted to at least a portion of a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A viewing system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes an image capture unit, a computing unit, and a reproducing unit. The image capture unit includes a lens, which has an optical axis, and a digital image sensing unit, and is configured to be attached to the vehicle such that a viewing area on the side of the vehicle is sensed with at least one part of a first legally-prescribed field of view and with at least one part of a second legally-prescribed field of view. The lens is disposed with respect to the digital image sensing unit such that the optical axis extends through the part of the first legally-prescribed field of view that is reproduced on the digital image sensing unit.