Abstract: A calibration system and method for calibrating a sensor installed on a vehicle includes a target proximate to a travel-path of a vehicle, a digital-map, the digital-map configured to indicate a coordinate of the target, a sensor mounted on the vehicle, said sensor configured to detect the target, and a controller in communication with the digital-map and the sensor. The controller or the method is configured to, in accordance with a determination that the target is detected by the sensor, perform a calibration of the sensor. By using targets documented on a digital-map to perform calibration, the vehicle does not need to be taken to a specialized facility in order to be calibrated.

Abstract: A map-localization system for navigating an automated vehicle includes a path-detector, a digital-map, and a controller. The path-detector is used to detect observed-geometries of a roadway traveled by a host-vehicle. The digital-map indicates mapped-geometries of roadways available for travel by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the path-detector and the digital-map. The controller is configured to determine a location of the host-vehicle on the digital-map based on a comparison of the observed-geometries to the mapped-geometries.

Abstract: A business-interaction system for an automated vehicle includes a memory, a communications-device, and a controller. The memory is configured to store interaction-information of a business approached by a host-vehicle. The communications-device is configured to convey a transaction between the business and a director of the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to operate the host-vehicle in accordance with the interaction-information. As such, the director is able to conduct the transaction.

Abstract: A safety system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector is operable to detect an approaching-vehicle proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector. The controller is configured to operate the host-vehicle to obstruct a travel-path of the approaching-vehicle when unimpeded travel by the approaching-vehicle on the travel-path may result in injury to a pedestrian.

Abstract: A security system that uses an automated vehicle to patrol, for example, a neighborhood includes a host-vehicle, a perception-sensor, and a controller. The host-vehicle is operable to patrol a neighborhood without an occupant in the host-vehicle. The perception-sensor is mounted on the host-vehicle. The perception-sensor is operable to detect a situation in a neighborhood. The controller is in communication with the perception-sensor. The controller is configured to report when the situation is a violation of rules of the neighborhood.

Abstract: A simulated-attribute guidance system for an automated vehicle includes a location-device, a digital-map, and a controller. The location-device indicates a location of a host-vehicle. The digital-map indicates a position of a simulated-attribute proximate to the location of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the location-device and the digital-map. The controller is configured to operate the host-vehicle in accordance with the simulated-attribute.

Abstract: A virtual-barrier system that defines a keep-out-zone for vehicles to avoid includes a transmitter, a location-detector, and a controller. The transmitter is configured to broadcast information regarding a keep-out-zone. The location-detector is configured to indicate a location of the transmitter. The controller is in communication with the transmitter and the location-detector. The controller is configured to determine boundaries of the keep-out-zone in accordance with the location, and operate the transmitter to broadcast coordinates of the boundaries of the keep-out-zone.

Abstract: A navigation system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, a first-map, a second-map, and a controller. The object-detector indicates relative-positions of a plurality of objects proximate to the host-vehicle. The first-map indicates a first-object and a second-object detected by the object-detector. The second-map is different from the first-map. The second-map indicates the first-object and the second-object. The controller is in communication with the object-detector, the first-map, and the second-map. The controller is configured to determine a first-coordinate of the host-vehicle on the first-map based on the relative-positions of the first-object and the second-object, determine a second-coordinate of the host-vehicle on the second-map based on the relative-positions of the first-object and the second-object, and align the first-map and the second-map based on the first-coordinate, the second-coordinate, and the relative-positions of the first-object and the second-object.

Abstract: A system for operating an automated vehicle includes a perception-sensor and a controller. The perception-sensor is configured to detect a ridge in a travel-surface traveled by a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the perception-sensor. The controller is configured to operate the host-vehicle to avoid a trajectory-deflection of the host-vehicle when a tire of the host-vehicle encounters the ridge.

Abstract: A traffic control system includes a detector and controller-circuits. The detector is configured to detect a traffic-state characterized as inhibiting traffic-flow. A first-controller-circuit is configured to communicate with the detector and a traffic-signal. The traffic-signal is configured to control traffic-flow through an intersection, wherein the first-controller-circuit sends a request to the traffic-signal to operate to a signal-state that changes the traffic-state.

Abstract: A traffic-light-detection system that visually determines a light-state of a traffic-light proximate to an automated vehicle includes a camera, a controller, and optionally a radar. The camera and the radar are on a host-vehicle. The camera renders a series-of-images of a traffic-light proximate to a host-vehicle. The radar detects radar-returns from the traffic-light. The controller is configured to determine a motion-pattern of the traffic-light based on the series-of-images and/or the radar-returns, and select a preferred-image from the series-of-images based on the motion-pattern. The preferred-image shows a light-source of the traffic-light characterized as being most directed at the camera when the motion-pattern indicates that the traffic-light is moving. The controller is further configured to determine a light-state of the traffic-light based on the preferred-image.

Abstract: A navigation system for a restricted-use automated-vehicle includes a digital-map, a location-detector, and a controller. The digital-map characterizes roadways on the digital-map with a usage-rating. The usage-rating is indicative of a minimum-value of a vehicle-rating of a vehicle allowed to use each of the roadways. The location-detector indicates a location of a host-vehicle on the digital-map. The controller is in communication with the digital-map and the location-detector. The controller receives a destination of the host-vehicle, and determines a route from the location to the destination that avoids roadways with usage-ratings greater than the vehicle-rating of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A map-localization system for navigating an automated vehicle includes a path-detector, a digital-map, and a controller. The path-detector is used to detect observed-geometries of a roadway traveled by a host-vehicle. The digital-map indicates mapped-geometries of roadways available for travel by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the path-detector and the digital-map. The controller is configured to determine a location of the host-vehicle on the digital-map based on a comparison of the observed-geometries to the mapped-geometries.

Abstract: A safe-stop-zone identification system suitable for use on an automated-vehicle includes a digital-map, a transceiver, and a controller. The digital-map indicates a travel-path suitable for travel by a host-vehicle, wherein the digital-map also indicates a safe-stop-zone proximate to the travel-path. The transceiver is operable to broadcast information about the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the digital-map and the transceiver. The controller navigates the host-vehicle into the safe-stop-zone when an emergency-situation occurs, and then operates the transceiver to broadcast that the safe-stop-zone is occupied by the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A rear-wheel steering system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, and actuator, and a controller. The object-detector is used to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The actuator is used to adjust a rear-steering-angle of rear-wheels of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and the actuator. The controller is configured to determine a location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on information from the object-detector, and operate the actuator to avoid the object when the host-vehicle moves.

Abstract: A safe-stop-zone mapping system suitable for use on an automated-vehicle includes a digital-map and a controller. The digital-map indicates a travel-path suitable for travel by a host-vehicle. The digital-map also indicates a safe-stop-zone proximate to the travel-path. The controller is in communication with the digital-map. The controller is configured to navigate the host-vehicle into the safe-stop-zone when an emergency-situation occurs.

Abstract: A safe-stop-zone mapping system suitable for use on an automated-vehicle includes a digital-map and a controller. The digital-map indicates a travel-path suitable for travel by a host-vehicle. The digital-map also indicates a safe-stop-zone proximate to the travel-path. The controller is in communication with the digital-map. The controller is configured to navigate the host-vehicle into the safe-stop-zone when an emergency-situation occurs.

Abstract: A rear-wheel steering system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, and actuator, and a controller. The object-detector is used to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The actuator is used to adjust a rear-steering-angle of rear-wheels of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and the actuator. The controller is configured to determine a location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on information from the object-detector, and operate the actuator to avoid the object when the host-vehicle moves.

Abstract: A redundant-controls system suitable for use an automated vehicle includes a primary-control-device, a secondary-control-device, an occupant-detection-device, and a controller. The primary-control-device is installed in a vehicle. The primary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from an operator-seat of the vehicle by an operator of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is installed in the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from a passenger-seat of the vehicle by a passenger of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The occupant-detection-device is used to determine an operator-state-of-awareness of the operator and a passenger-state-of-awareness of the passenger. The controller is in communication with the primary-control-device, the secondary-control-device, and the operator-detection-device.

Abstract: A redundant-controls system suitable for use an automated vehicle includes a primary-control-device, a secondary-control-device, an occupant-detection-device, and a controller. The primary-control-device is installed in a vehicle. The primary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from an operator-seat of the vehicle by an operator of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is installed in the vehicle. The secondary-control-device is selectively enabled to allow operation from a passenger-seat of the vehicle by a passenger of the vehicle to control movement of the vehicle. The occupant-detection-device is used to determine an operator-state-of-awareness of the operator and a passenger-state-of-awareness of the passenger. The controller is in communication with the primary-control-device, the secondary-control-device, and the operator-detection-device.