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: An system for controlling vehicle movement includes a brake assembly configured to selectively resist movement of the vehicle. A controller selectively controls a brake force applied by the brake assembly. The controller is configured to determine a drive torque condition when the vehicle is stationary on an inclined surface. The controller selectively controls a rate of automatically reducing the brake force dependent on the determined drive torque condition to allow the vehicle to accelerate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the drive means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce a value of one or more prescribed operating parameters, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the drive means is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means, the vehicle comprising means for detecting departure of the driver from the vehicle, in the event that departure of the driver is detected when the vehicle is in the eco-stop condition the vehicle being arranged not to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing shut down of a motor vehicle (100) comprising the steps of determining (S207) by means of a computing device that it is required to shut down the vehicle and, responsive to the determination that it is required to shut down the vehicle (PM=1), forcing shutdown of the vehicle (S212) by means of the computing device after a prescribed time period has elapsed (S211) if the motor vehicle has not shut down within the prescribed time period.

Abstract: Illustrative example embodiments provide a motor vehicle including an actuator means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle. The vehicle is operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the actuator means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce an amount of time the actuator means is on during a given drivecycle. The vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the actuator means is off, The vehicle. is operable automatically to perform an eco-start operation in which the actuator means is restarted when the driver signals release of the brake means. When an eco-start is performed the vehicle is arranged automatically to continue to be held stationary by means of the brake means while the actuator means is restarted. If the actuator means fails to restart, the vehicle is arranged automatically to assume a failed start condition in which the vehicle continues to be held stationary.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle subsystem (10) comprises a controller (12) arranged to control operation of the subsystem (10), a user input (16) connected to the system controller (12) and arranged to be operated by a user, and a sensor comprising a transmitter (22) associated with user input (16) and a receiver (26) associated with a first user, whereby the controller uses detection of a signal from the transmitter (22) by the receiver (26) to distinguish between operation of the user input (16) by said first user and operation of the user input by a second user.

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) comprising: wireless transmission means (111) for transmitting a signal (111S) having a first frequency from the subject object (5) to the target object (20); detector means (113) for detecting a portion of the signal (113S) reflected from the target object (20) back to the subject object (5); range determination means (131) for determining the range (202) of the target object (20) from the subject object (5) by reference to a time of flight of said portion of the signal (111S), (113S) from the transmission means (111) to the detector means (113); and rate determination means (131) for determining 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 means (113), the apparatus (100) being arranged to provide an indication (20

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

Abstract: A computing device having a display portion for displaying information and a user input portion for receiving an input from a user. The device is operable to display a first set of user-selectable function elements in a first format, and is responsive to an input from a user corresponding to a user-selected portion of the display portion and to display a second set of function elements that include one or more function elements of the first set of user-selectable function elements that are associated with the selected portion of the display portion in a second format different from the first format. The device is operable to allow a function element displayed in the second format to be selected by the user thereby to execute a function associated with the element.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).