Abstract: This cruise control device enables more accurate prediction of running resistance and prevents worsening of fuel economy. In this device, a coasting prediction unit (12c) of an automatic cruise control device (12), which is for performing cruise control of the vehicle (1) on the basis of a resistance coefficient, predicts, on the basis of the resistance coefficient, the change in vehicle speed if the vehicle (1) were to coast; if the vehicle (1) does coast, a vehicle information acquisition unit (12b) acquires information about the detected vehicle speed; and a running resistance updating unit (12f) updates the value of the resistance coefficient on the basis of the information about the change in vehicle speed predicted by the coasting prediction unit (12c) and information about the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit (12b).

Abstract: In a method for tracking and navigating a group, a virtual interface is firstly used to provide a path group. Then, a plurality of members joins the path group through the virtual interface and one of the majority of members observes the position of each of the plurality of members. A plurality of navigating paths are respectively established according to positions of the plurality of members, so as to navigate the plurality of members to a destination of the path group. A plurality of mark points are designated in the navigating path of each of the plurality of members. Each of the plurality of members moves in the navigating path corresponded thereof. A warning signal is generated when the member diverges from the navigating path corresponded thereof or the member does not reach the destination. The plurality of members reach the destination to complete a tracking and navigating process.

Abstract: Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods to engage an autonomous mode of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can receive login credentials for an autonomous vehicle. A user of the autonomous vehicle can be authenticated based on the login credentials. Responsive to authenticating the user, a secure communication session can be established between the autonomous vehicle and one or more remotely located computing systems. Authorization data for an autonomous mode of the autonomous vehicle can be communicated between the autonomous vehicle and the one or more remotely located computing systems. Responsive to communicating the authorization data for the autonomous mode of the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous mode of the autonomous vehicle can be enabled.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a frame, one or more row units coupled to the frame, one or more imaging devices coupled to the frame, and a controller. The one or more imaging devices are configured to capture images of a field beneath the agricultural system as the agricultural system traverses the field. The controller includes a processor and a memory, and processes the images captured by the one or more imaging devices. Processing the captured images includes determining a location of an implement line aligned with a first row unit of the one or more row units, determining a location of a center line of a first strip of a plurality of strips of the field, wherein the plurality of strips are separated by a plurality of rows of untilled land, determining a location of a tracking line, and determining whether the implement line and the tracking line are aligned with one another.

Abstract: The vehicle running control apparatus (driving support ECU 10) determines whether or not the driver of the vehicle is in an abnormal state in which the driver has lost an ability to drive the vehicle, and stops the vehicle by reducing the vehicle speed to 0 after an abnormality determination time point when the driver is determined to be in the abnormal state. The vehicle running control apparatus predicts a position at which the vehicle stops when the vehicle speed is reduced at a predetermined deceleration, when the predicted stop position is not within a stop prohibited area (for example, a curved road and a section within a predetermined distance from a point at which the road changes from the curved road to the straight road), it decelerates the vehicle with the deceleration and stops the vehicle. In contrast, the vehicle running control apparatus makes the vehicle ran with a constant speed when the predicted stop position is within the stop prohibited area.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a camera module having a plurality of cameras. A control is operable to adjust a field of view of the cameras responsive to an input. When the vehicle is traveling in and along a traffic lane, the control sets the field of view of at least some of the cameras forward through the vehicle windshield. Responsive to an input indicative of an intended lane change, the control adjusts at least one camera to set the field of view of the camera toward an exterior rearview mirror at the side of the vehicle at which the target lane is located. Responsive to determination, via processing of captured image data when the camera views the exterior rearview mirror of the vehicle, that the target lane is clear, the control controls the at least one vehicle control system to maneuver the vehicle into the target lane.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: determining, using a processor, a generalization factor associated with a data element of a database comprising navigation data, the generalization factor depending on a usage information associated with the data element, wherein the generalization factor is indicative to a level of details of a new data element to be generated based on the data element. Further disclosed are a corresponding apparatus, a corresponding system and a corresponding computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems and methods for obtaining real-time road friction coefficient estimations. In one embodiment, a regression function is learned using a training data set which correlates input data measurements arriving from onboard system sensors and coefficient estimations arriving from an extension system. In another embodiment, the learned regression function can be retrieved to obtain real-time road friction coefficient estimations while the system is in motion.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an intended destination is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a geolocation processor, a mobile device location. The mobile device location corresponds to a location of a mobile device of a vehicle user. The vehicle user has parked a vehicle at a parking location different than the mobile device location. The method also includes storing the parking location or the mobile device location as an intended destination of the vehicle user based at least on a determining of which of the parking location or the mobile device location corresponds to the intended destination of the vehicle user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an imaging system having a memory with a historical localization dictionary database having geo-located driving image sequences, such that each reference image is applied to a threshold to produce a binary representation. A sensor to acquire a sequence of input images of a dynamic scene. An encoder to determine, for each input image in the sequence, a histogram of each input image indicating a number of vertical edges at each bin of the input image and to threshold the histogram to produce a binary representation of the input image. A visual odometer to compare the binary representations of each input image and each reference image, by matching an input image against a reference image. Wherein the visual odometer determines a location of the input image based on a match between the input image and the reference image.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. A human machine interface is configured to receive user-input for adjusting a pre-hitch position of a tow hitch of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for maneuvering the vehicle such that the tow hitch is moved to an adjusted pre-hitch position at which the tow hitch is aligned with a hitch coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: A power-split gearbox device in an agricultural work vehicle. The gearbox device includes a compounded gearbox, an electrical variator for the continuous varying of a ratio of the compounded gearbox, and a gearbox with an adjustable ratio to connect a drive motor with a propulsion of the work vehicle.

Abstract: Example highway detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives data from a vehicle data bus in a first vehicle and detects a speed of the first vehicle based on the received data. The method also determines a speed of an oncoming vehicle and a lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle based on the received data. One or more processors determine whether the first vehicle is driving on a highway based on the speed of the first vehicle, the speed of the oncoming vehicle, and the lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may automatically vary a speed of autonomous vehicles and/or a following distance between autonomous vehicles. The systems and methods may, thereby, maintain an optimal vehicle roadway traffic flow, for example, between a “free flow” and a “wide moving jam.” Furthermore, the systems and methods may generate data representative of autonomous vehicle related emergencies based on data representative of an autonomous vehicle operating environment.

Abstract: A travelling vehicle system that allows smooth travelling of a priority travelling vehicle includes travelling vehicles that travel along a route and a host controller that controls the travelling vehicles. The host controller includes a priority travelling vehicle transmitter that selects a priority travelling vehicle among the travelling vehicles, a passage command transmitter that transmits a passage command to a normal travelling vehicle to pass through a point in a predetermined range on the route which the priority travelling vehicle is scheduled to pass through, the normal travelling vehicle having a stop command to schedule to stop at the point, and a cancel command transmitter that transmits a cancel command to the normal travelling vehicle to cancel the given passage command when the priority travelling vehicle passes through the point.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for a payload detection module that detects payload using one or more steering system control signals and generates an axle load factor. An example payload detection module includes a rack torque module to determine a rack torque, a reference model module to determine a reference rack torque for the steering system based on a load scale factor, and a load factor calculation module to compute the axle load factor based on a difference between the rack torque and the reference rack torque. Further, a blend factor module determines a load blend factor according to the axle load factor. Further yet, a signal combiner combines a blended nominal base assist and a blended highload base assist according to the load blend factor, the combination modifying a motor torque command, the motor torque command being sent to a motor to generate assist torque.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to more accurately construct a traffic model. In regards to a method, links of a second traffic model are categorized as being either observed or unobserved. A link is observed if a most likely route through a first traffic model transits over the link and includes at least a predetermined number of probe data points. Separately for an unobserved graph comprised of unobserved links and an observed graph comprised of observed links, the method determines a fastest path between common nodes that appear in each of the unobserved and observed graphs. In an instance in which the fastest path in the unobserved graph is at least as fast as the fastest path in the observed graph, a travel time penalty is added to a travel time of the unobserved link in a second traffic model, subsequent to the first traffic model.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide control the amount of battery SOC of a hybrid vehicle prior to reaching a downgrade section of roadway in order to offset the amount of energy that the hybrid vehicle will recuperate when traveling the downgrade. Navigation systems and methods are used to identify upcoming road conditions, such as downgrades. In this way, the battery SOC of the hybrid vehicle can maintain the capacity to allow a motor of the hybrid vehicle to assist in decelerating the hybrid vehicle during the downgrade if need be. Additionally, a situation where the battery is fully charged before reaching the end of the downgrade is avoided, which if not, could result in overcharging the battery, or having to switch to an engine-only mode of travel, where a driver must supplement engine braking with friction braking.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame supported on at least a first axle and a second axle and a work implement that is hydraulically powered to be displaced with respect to the frame. A powertrain disposed on the machine generates a first force for propelling the machine with respect to the ground. The machine can include an electronic controller that communicates with the powertrain and a hydraulic sensor on the hydraulic actuator. The controller is configured to determine the weight distribution directed through the front and rear axles of the machine based in part on the dynamic positioning of the work implement.