Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a gated camera (3) having an illumination device (5) and an optical sensor (7), wherein the illumination device (5) and the optical sensor (7) are time-coordinated with each other, wherein a visible distance range is assigned to a first time coordination, wherein a property (25) of the visible distance range is provided, wherein the illumination device (5) has at least two functional positions (11), so that the visible distance range can be selectively illuminated by means of the illumination device (5) from at least one functional position (11) of the at least two functional positions (11), wherein the at least two functional positions (11) are spatially distanced from one another, wherein based on the property (25) of the visible distance range, a functional position (11) of the at least two functional positions (11) for illuminating the visible distance range is selected.

Abstract: A gated camera records images of a roadway in a longitudinal direction in front of a vehicle. An object is recognized in the images and it is determined using an optical flow, considering distinct movement information of the vehicle, whether a braking and/or an evading maneuver is required to avoid a collision with the object. Using the optical flow it is determined whether the object is in contact with the roadway, has a distinct movement, is moved out of a driving corridor of the vehicle or into the driving corridor. When the distinct movement of the object is erratic or the object is moved out of the driving corridor, the object is classified as able to be driven over or otherwise as not able to be driven over. A braking and/or evading maneuver is carried out only with an object that is classified as not able to be driven over.

Abstract: An interface arrangement for a vehicle connects a humanoid robot to the vehicle. The interface arrangement is equipped and designed to be connected in the vehicle, respectively to a positioning device, an energy source, a communication device, and a sensor unit of the vehicle. The interface arrangement has a first interface equipped and designed to transmit current position data of the positioning device of the vehicle to the humanoid robot. A second interface transmits energy from the energy source of the vehicle to the humanoid robot. A third interface transmits network data from the communication device of the vehicle to the humanoid robot. A fourth interface transmits sensor data from the sensor unit of the vehicle to the humanoid robot.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes a communication module, which establishes a transmission and receiving connection to a server external to the vehicle, and a control module connected to this for driving functions, which receives data of at least one sensor and controls at least one actuator for at least partially autonomously controlling at least one of the driving functions in the vehicle. A disconnector physically separates at least the receiving connection and a read-only memory, in which a piece of software for overwriting the software in the communication module and the control module in case of interference, is stored. Control of the control device is assumed when the control device has presumably been tampered with in the vehicle and uses this to separate at least the receiving connection, to bring the vehicle into a safe traffic state as needed, and to overwrite software in the control module and the communication module with software from the read-only memory.

Abstract: A device and a method for covering or switching off information displayed on an outer surface of a vehicle involves the device covering or switching off information displayed on the outer surface when a situation deviating from a normal state is present.

Abstract: A method for operating a first vehicle which is a driverless ego vehicle. The method includes performing a situation analysis in the driverless ego vehicle to identify an overtaking maneuver that is being carried out by a second vehicle in which the second vehicle can no longer be expected to avoid a collision with the driverless ego vehicle and/or with a third vehicle. When the overtaking maneuver is identified, a strategy is determined for avoiding or reducing a consequence of a collision in the driverless ego vehicle depending on whether it has been identified in the situation analysis that at least one of the driverless ego vehicle, the second vehicle, and the third vehicle is manned.

Abstract: A method for operating a gated camera which has a lighting device and an optical sensor. An actuation of the lighting device and optical sensor are chronologically first coordinated with each other and a visible object region is assigned to the first coordinated actuation. Via the first coordinated actuation, recording a first recording of the visible object region from a first distance between the gated camera and the visible object region. A second coordinated actuation is selected such that the visible object region is assigned to the second coordinated actuation. Via the second coordinated actuation, recording a second recording of the visible object region from a second distance between the gated camera and the visible object region. The first recording and the second recording are compared using a criterion and a viewing range of the gated camera is inferred on a basis of the comparing.

Abstract: A method for operating a gated camera which has a lighting device and an optical sensor in a motor vehicle opposite to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. An actuation of the lighting device and of the optical sensor are chronologically coordinated with each other. A first visible spacing region is assigned to a first coordinated actuation. Via the first coordinated actuation, a first recording of the first visible spacing region is recorded opposite to the direction of travel. Objects are searched for via the first recording. When an object is found, a first object spacing is estimated as a spacing between the found object and the optical sensor. A planned movement trajectory of the motor vehicle is evaluated on a basis of the first object spacing.

Abstract: A gated camera has at least one lighting device and an optical sensor. The at least one lighting device has at least one degree of freedom such that the at least one lighting device is rotatably mounted in relation to at least one rotational axis relative to the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method for safeguarding a self-driving, damaged vehicle includes independently detecting damage of the damaged vehicle by the damaged vehicle and sending information concerning the damage to a central computing unit, connected with the damaged vehicle, of an operator of the damaged vehicle by the damaged vehicle. Information concerning the damage of the vehicle is sent to a superior authority by the central computing unit. A further central computing unit of an operator of a self-driving further vehicle located near the damaged vehicle is informed about the damaged vehicle by the superior authority. When the further vehicle is moving towards the damaged vehicle, the further vehicle is put into a safeguarding mode by the further central computing unit.

Abstract: A method for operating a gated camera having an illumination device and an optical sensor. A control of the illumination device and the optical sensor is coordinated. At least one first coordinated control is associated with a first visible distance range and a first image is obtained by the at least one first coordinated control. The first image is used to search for objects. A first object distance is estimated between a found object and the optical sensor. A second coordinated control of the illumination device and the optical sensor is determined such that the first object distance is within a second visible distance range associated with the second coordinated control. A second image of the second visible distance range is recorded with the optical sensor by using the second coordinated control upon illumination by the illumination device. A second object distance is determined by using the second image.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a gated camera that has a lighting device and an optical sensor by a distance sensor system. A control of the lighting device and the optical sensor are temporally coordinated with each other where the coordinated control is associated with a visible distance range. An object is searched for on at least one boundary of the visible distance range. When the object is found on the at least one boundary, an object distance is defined as a distance of the object found relative to the gated camera by the distance sensor system. A target distance of the at least one boundary to the gated camera is compared with the object distance. The coordinated control is evaluated and/or changed on a basis of the comparison between the target distance and the object distance.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object by a lighting device and an optical sensor. A controlling of the lighting device and of the optical sensor are temporally coordinated where the controlling is associated with a visible distance range. Comparing at least one image-side boundary of the visible distance range with a predetermined standard representation of the at least one boundary of the visible distance range. Searching for the object on the at least one boundary based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method for operating a first illumination device, a second illumination device, and an optical sensor includes controlling the first illumination device, the second illumination device, and the optical sensor in a temporally coordinated manner and assigning a visible distance range to the coordinated control. During an illumination by the first illumination device, the optical sensor captures a first image by the coordinated control. During an illumination by the second illumination device, the optical sensor captures a second image by the coordinated control. During a time of an absence of an illumination by the first illumination device and the second illumination device, the optical sensor captures a third image. A difference captured image is formed from the first captured image, the second captured image, and the third captured image.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a lighting device and an optical sensor includes a control of the lighting device and the optical sensor are chronologically coordinated with each other. A visible distance region is assigned to the coordinated control. A series of recordings in chronological sequence are recorded with the optical sensor via the coordinated control when lit by the lighting device. In a recording that is chronologically first in the series, in which a calibration marker that has a pre-determined dimension is recognized, an actual distance of the calibration marker is determined using the pre-determined dimension. The coordinated control and/or the visible distance region are evaluated and/or changed on a basis of a far border of the visible distance region and the actual distance.

Abstract: A method for operating an automated vehicle involves determining that the vehicle is nearing a bend, a neighboring free lane is present on a side of the vehicle on the outside of the bend, a visual range of at least one detection unit, aligned in the driving direction of the vehicle, of an environment sensor is restricted due to the bend ahead, and, in the bend, due to the road condition, a braking distance is increased compared with a predetermined setpoint, or a road grip of the vehicle or other vehicles is decreased. Based on this determination, the vehicle automatically carries out a lane change to the neighboring free lane on the outside of the bend or a current driving speed of the vehicle is automatically reduced.

Abstract: A method for operating an automated utility vehicle includes, after a change in the load state of the automated utility vehicle, determining a current weight and/or a current load distribution of the automated utility vehicle. The method further includes making available the determined current weight and/or the determined current load distribution in the form of current load information. The current load information is used for situation-dependent adaptation of planning and/or control of a trajectory of the automated utility vehicle.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object. A first coordinated control of a lighting device and an optical sensor is assigned to a first visible distance range. A first recording of the first visible distance range while illuminated by the lighting device is recorded with the optical sensor. If the object is detected in the first recording within the first visible distance range, a distance between the detected object and the optical sensor is determined. A second coordinated control of the lighting device and the optical sensor and an assigned, second visible distance range are determined such that the object detected in the first recording is located in a center of the second visible distance range. A second recording of the second visible distance range while illuminated by the lighting device is recorded with the optical sensor by the second coordinated control.

Abstract: A lifting system for a semitrailer of an articulated lorry includes a lifting device where the semitrailer is adjustable by the lifting device in relation to a surface of a base element on which the semitrailer is positioned between a coupling position, in which a coupling element of the semitrailer is arranged at a coupling height above the surface of the base element, and a decoupling position, in which the coupling element is arranged at a decoupling height above the surface of the base element. The lifting device is associated with a surface segment of the base element where the surface segment is height-adjustable by the lifting device such that the semitrailer is adjustable between the coupling position and the decoupling position by an adjustment of the surface segment.

Abstract: A method for autonomously driving a vehicle. When a bend is detected ahead of the vehicle, it is determined whether the visibility of a detection unit is below a threshold value. If so, the vehicle is automatically maneuvered to change lanes to an outside lane of the bend.