Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (200), comprising input means (230) for receiving an environment signal indicative of a feature in a vicinity of a vehicle, output means (240) for outputting a manoeuvre signal to cause a vehicle to perform a defined manoeuvre, and control means (210) arranged to provide at least one mode for performing at least a portion of the defined manoeuvre, the mode being selectable from a plurality of modes including at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-in-vehicle mode and at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-out-of-vehicle mode, the mode being selectable in dependence upon the environment signal being indicative of a vehicle envelope suitable for the mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system (100) for a vehicle, for determining a range from the vehicle to a portable control device associated with the vehicle. The control system comprises a signal input (106) for receiving a range request signal; a scan output (110) for triggering emission of a scan signal; a scan input (112) for receiving a scan response signal originating from the portable control device in response to the scan signal; a signal output (108) for transmitting data to the electronic control unit; where in dependence on receipt of the range request signal, the scan signal is sent; in dependence on the scan response signal, range data indicative of the range from the vehicle to the portable control device is determined; and the range data is output. The control system may operate with an existing access control system such that the key fob of the access control system may operate as the portable control device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (200), comprising input means (230) for receiving an environment signal indicative of a feature in a vicinity of a vehicle, output means (240) for outputting a manoeuvre signal to cause a vehicle to perform a defined manoeuvre, and control means (210) arranged to provide at least one mode for performing at least a portion of the defined manoeuvre, the mode being selectable from a plurality of modes including at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-in-vehicle mode and at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-out-of-vehicle mode, the mode being selectable in dependence upon the environment signal being indicative of a vehicle envelope suitable for the mode.

Abstract: A control system for a host vehicle operable in an automated mode, wherein the control system is configured to: receive a driver selection from a first human-machine interface of a vehicle-to-vehicle separation when vehicle speed falls below a threshold; store the vehicle-to-vehicle separation when vehicle speed falls below the threshold; receive a driver intervention from a second human-machine interface to modify the vehicle-to-vehicle separation; and update the stored vehicle-to-vehicle separation based on the received driver intervention when the vehicle speed later falls below the threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (200), comprising input means (230) for receiving an environment signal indicative of a feature in a vicinity of a vehicle, output means (240) for outputting a manoeuvre signal to cause a vehicle to perform a defined manoeuvre, and control means (210) arranged to provide at least one mode for performing at least a portion of the defined manoeuvre, the mode being selectable from a plurality of modes including at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-in-vehicle mode and at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-out-of-vehicle mode, the mode being selectable in dependence upon the environment signal being indicative of a vehicle envelope suitable for the mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (200), comprising input means (230) for receiving an environment signal indicative of a feature in a vicinity of a vehicle, output means (240) for outputting a manoeuvre signal to cause a vehicle to perform a defined manoeuvre, and control means (210) arranged to provide at least one mode for performing at least a portion of the defined manoeuvre, the mode being selectable from a plurality of modes including at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-in-vehicle mode and at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-out-of-vehicle mode, the mode being selectable in dependence upon the environment signal being indicative of a vehicle envelope suitable for the mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (200), comprising input means (230) for receiving an environment signal indicative of a feature in a vicinity of a vehicle, output means (240) for outputting a manoeuvre signal to cause a vehicle to perform a defined manoeuvre, and control means (210) arranged to provide at least one mode for performing at least a portion of the defined manoeuvre, the mode being selectable from a plurality of modes including at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-in-vehicle mode and at least one mode corresponding to an occupant-out-of-vehicle mode, the mode being selectable in dependence upon the environment signal being indicative of a vehicle envelope suitable for the mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system (100). The control system (100) is for a host vehicle (10) operable in an autonomous mode and a non-autonomous mode. The control system (100) comprises one or more controllers (110). The control system (100) is configured to receive, when operating in a non-autonomous mode, a mode signal and environment data. The mode signal is indicative of the host vehicle (10) operating in a training mode. The environment data is indicative of a sensed environment of the host vehicle (10) during a first manoeuvre by the host vehicle (10) from a first location to a first navigation goal. In the training mode, the one or more controllers (110) identify a navigable area and output vehicle control data. The navigable area is in a vicinity of the first manoeuvre and is suitable to contain a plurality of possible navigation paths for subsequent navigation of the host vehicle (10), operating in an autonomous mode, to a second navigation goal within the navigable area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller (110). The controller (110) comprises input means (140) for receiving one or more state signals each indicative of one or more of a vehicle characteristic, a user characteristic and an environment characteristic. The controller (110) comprises output means (150) for outputting an availability signal indicative of an availability of an autonomous driving mode of a host vehicle. The controller (110) comprises control means (120) arranged to control the output means (150) to output the availability signal in dependence on the one or more state signals.

Abstract: A speed control system operable to control a motor vehicle to operate in accordance with a set-speed value, the control means being operable to allow a user to adjust the set-speed value by user actuation of a vehicle brake control or a vehicle accelerator control.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising one or more electronic control units configured to carry out a method that includes applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels, detecting a slip event between any one or more of the wheels and the ground over which the vehicle is travelling when the vehicle is in motion and providing a slip detection output signal in the event thereof. The method carried out by the one or more electronic control units further includes receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel and maintaining the vehicle at the target speed independently of the slip detection output signal by adjusting the amount of torque applied to the at least one of the plurality of wheels.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises detecting an occurrence of a slip event, of a step encounter event, or of both events at a leading wheel of the vehicle. The method also comprises predicting that the occurrence of the detected event(s) will occur at a following wheel of the vehicle. The method yet further comprises automatically controlling vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, or both vehicle speed and acceleration in response to the detection, the prediction, or both the detection and prediction. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating an off-road speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag. The method further comprises monitoring vehicle speed to predict where a change in the at least one component of vehicle drag may result in a speed overshoot event or a speed undershoot event. The method still further comprises, in response to the predicted speed overshoot event or speed undershoot event, automatically commanding the application of an appropriate opposing torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to counteract the predicted speed overshoot or undershoot. An off-road speed control system for a vehicle comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of a vehicle, the system being operable to cause the vehicle to accelerate from a first speed to a second speed in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of acceleration profiles, the profile being selected in dependence on a selected one of a plurality of vehicle operating modes.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a torque required to achieve a desired operating parameter of the vehicle. The method further assessing whether the required torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit, and when it does, determining if it is appropriate to increase the torque limit. When it is determined that it is appropriate to do so, the method further comprises increasing the predetermined torque limit. A speed control system of a vehicle comprising an electronic control unit configured to: determine a torque required to achieve a desired operating parameter of the vehicle, assess whether the required torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit; when the torque exceeds the torque limit, determine if it is appropriate to increase the torque limit; and when it is determined that it is appropriate to do so, increase the torque limit, is also provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle controller configured to: receive a drive demand signal indicating an amount of net drive to be applied to one or more driving wheels of a vehicle, estimate a value of a parameter indicative of a surface coefficient of friction between one or more driving wheels and a driving surface, and apply a net torque to one or more wheels of a vehicle. The amount of net torque applied is determined in dependence at least in part on the received drive demand signal. The controller is configured to increase an amount of net torque applied to one or more driving wheels independently of the drive demand signal and to update an estimate of the parameter in dependence on a change in speed of the at least one driving wheel when the amount of net torque applied to the at least one driving wheel is increased.

Abstract: A vehicle control system having a plurality of speed control systems, each operable to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a respective target speed. The system is operable wherein one of the plurality of speed control systems may be selected to control vehicle speed at a given moment in time, wherein when responsibility for speed control is transferred from a first one of the plurality of speed control systems to a second one of the speed control systems, the second one of the speed control systems is operable to set a value of target speed thereof to a value corresponding to that of the target speed of the first.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The method further comprises determining, based on the signals representative of vehicle-related information, whether one or more predetermined conditions are met. The method still further comprises automatically determining a baseline set-speed for the speed control system when it is determined that at least certain of the one or more predetermined conditions are met. The method yet still further comprises adjusting the baseline set-speed to determine an instantaneous set-speed of the speed control system based on a signal indicative of a desired comfort level. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A method for use with a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving readings from one or more vehicle sensors to determine the nature of the terrain over which the vehicle is traveling. The method further comprises gathering information relating to one or more parameters of the vehicle that correspond to the configuration of the vehicle. The method still further comprises determining, based on the nature of the terrain and the gathered information, whether the vehicle is appropriately configured to travel over the terrain. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle control system having a plurality of speed control systems, each operable to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a respective target speed. The system is operable wherein one of the plurality of speed control systems may be selected to control vehicle speed at a given moment in time, wherein when responsibility for speed control is transferred from a first one of the plurality of speed control systems to a second one of the speed control systems, the second one of the speed control systems is operable to set a value of target speed thereof to a value corresponding to that of the target speed of the first.