Abstract: A vehicle collision warning system and method may be used to detect a potential or impending collision with another vehicle and to send a corresponding warning to the driver. In an exemplary embodiment, the collision warning system uses one or more target vehicle readings (e.g., a relative velocity reading (?v), a target vehicle acceleration reading (aTAR), and a relative distance reading or range (?d)) to solve a unified collision warning algorithm. If the unified collision warning algorithm determines that there is a potential collision with the target vehicle, then the system sends a corresponding warning to the driver.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a likely pedal misapplication event and mitigating the effects of a pedal misapplication. In one embodiment the method comprises determining if likely pedal misapplication has occurred by the steps of: determining if a gear shift has occurred within a threshold time; determining if a vehicle velocity is below a threshold velocity; determining if the accelerator pedal is above a threshold application level; determining if the brake pedal is being applied by the driver; and determining if an obstacle is in the vehicle path and within a threshold distance. If these criteria are found, a likely pedal misapplication is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optimal collision avoidance path for a host vehicle that may potentially collide with a target vehicle. The method includes providing off-line an optimization look-up table for storing on the host vehicle that includes an optimal vehicle braking or longitudinal deceleration and an optimal distance along the optimal path based on a range of speeds of the host vehicle and coefficients of friction of the roadway surface. The method determines the current speed of the host vehicle and the coefficient of friction of the roadway surface during the potential collision, and uses the look-up table to determine the optimal longitudinal deceleration or braking of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path. The method also determines an optimal lateral acceleration or steering of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path based on a friction ellipse and the optimal braking.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system in a host vehicle that employs combined automatic braking and steering. The collision avoidance system defines thresholds that identify a time to collision with a target vehicle by the host vehicle that are based on the speed of the host vehicle, the acceleration of the host vehicle, the speed of the target vehicle, the acceleration of the target vehicle, the distance to the target vehicle from the host vehicle and a coefficient of friction of the roadway. The collision avoidance system provides full automatic collision avoidance braking if the time to collision is less than one threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is not clear. The collision avoidance system provides both automatic steering and braking of the host vehicle if the time to collision is less than another threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is clear.

Abstract: A vehicle control method includes iteratively modifying a level of braking of the vehicle until it is determined that the vehicle has substantially lost traction with respect to the road surface, then determining the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the tire based on the level of braking at the time the vehicle substantially lost fraction. In one embodiment, previous ABS or other vehicle control events are used as a basis for estimating an initial level of braking to be applied during the friction measurement procedure. Such a deterministic maneuver can also function as a collision warning to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system defines a set of predetermined criteria relating to the motion of the vehicle and a set of vehicle actions associated with the set of predetermined criteria. The vehicle actions each specify a steering action and/or a braking action. Friction data indicative of a frictional attribute (for example, coefficient of friction) of the contact region between the vehicle and the surface is received. The predetermined criteria are modified based on the friction data. When one or more of the predetermined criteria are met, the system applies the corresponding steering and/or braking actions.

Abstract: A vehicle has a safety system including at least one object sensor to detect a distance from an object in a path of the vehicle and the speed and acceleration of the object. The sensor data is input into a control to determine a desired braking judgment line and a steering judgment line between the vehicle and the object. The safety system then compares the vehicle and object acceleration. Following, the safety system calculates a judgment line between the object and the vehicle based upon equations for the determined scenario. The judgment line is then used to determine a warning distance and warn a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A vehicle has a safety system including at least one object sensor to detect a distance from an object in a path of the vehicle and the speed and acceleration of the object. The sensor data is input into a control to determine a desired braking judgment line and a steering judgment line between the vehicle and the object. The safety system then compares the vehicle and object acceleration. Following, the safety system calculates a judgment line between the object and the vehicle based upon equations for the determined scenario. The judgment line is then used to determine a warning distance and warn a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a likely pedal misapplication event and mitigating the effects of a pedal misapplication. In one embodiment the method comprises determining if likely pedal misapplication has occurred by the steps of: determining if a gear shift has occurred within a threshold time; determining if a vehicle velocity is below a threshold velocity; determining if the accelerator pedal is above a threshold application level; determining if the brake pedal is being applied by the driver; and determining if an obstacle is in the vehicle path and within a threshold distance. If these criteria are found, a likely pedal misapplication is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle has a safety system including at least one object sensor to detect a distance from an object in a path of the vehicle and the speed and acceleration of the object. The sensor data is input into a control to determine a desired braking judgment line and a steering judgment line between the vehicle and the object. The safety system then compares the vehicle and object acceleration. Following, the safety system calculates a judgment line between the object and the vehicle based upon equations for the determined scenario. The judgment line is then used to determine a warning distance and warn a vehicle operator.