Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electrically assisted steering system. A steering angle velocity of the motor vehicle, and a driver manual torque change applied by a driver of the motor vehicle are determined. At least the steering angle velocity and the driver manual torque change are analyzed to determine whether the driver manual torque change and the steering angle velocity are not correlated. An error signal is output if the driver manual torque change and the steering angle velocity are not correlated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting an assistance-torque demand on an actuator, for example a servomotor, of a power steering system. An assistance-torque demand is received and examined based on a predetermined limit criterion. If a violation of the limit criterion is ascertained, a transient assistance-torque limit is adopted and progressively reduced so long as the violation of the limit criterion is ascertained. The assistance-torque demand is limited based on the transient assistance-torque limit. The limited assistance-torque demand is sent to an interface of the actuator of the power steering system.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an adaptive cruise control system with a stop-and-go function, having the steps of: bringing the motor vehicle to a stop upon detecting that a vehicle in front has stopped, providing a start signal within a predetermined first time period upon starting of the vehicle in front, reading safety-relevant data after the first time period has ended and if the vehicle in front is still stopped, and suppressing a start signal if the safety-relevant data indicate a hazardous traffic situation.

Abstract: A method for avoiding or reducing damage to a parked vehicle caused by a collision with an approaching vehicle performing a parking operation included determining, by the parked vehicle, a risk of collision, transmitting a warning signal if the risk of collision is sufficiently high, monitoring whether the approaching vehicle reacts to the warning signal, and performing a maneuver by the parked vehicle to avoid or reduce collision damage if there is no reaction. The maneuver may permit a controlled contact between the parked vehicle and the approaching vehicle to minimize the force of the contact. After such a controlled contact, a braking torque exerted by the parked vehicle is increased. Following completion of the damage avoidance maneuver, an estimate of the extent of the completed damage prevention is made and provided to the owner of the parked vehicle (including information about potential saved repair costs).

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electrically assisted steering system. A steering angle velocity of the motor vehicle, and a driver manual torque change applied by a driver of the motor vehicle are determined. At least the steering angle velocity and the driver manual torque change are analyzed to determine whether the driver manual torque change and the steering angle velocity are not correlated. An error signal is output if the driver manual torque change and the steering angle velocity are not correlated.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting assisting steering torque in a steering system having electronic power assisted steering is provided. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a steering angle change desired by the driver is determined and a range of valid steering angle changes dependent upon the steering angle change desired by the driver are defined. Subsequently it is determined whether a current steering angle change is included in the range of valid steering angle changes, and if the current steering angle change is not included in the range of the valid steering angle changes, the assisting steering torque is limited.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one traction battery of a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining basic data for the prediction of a deeply discharged state of the at least one traction battery by a battery monitoring system associated with the motor vehicle, transmitting the basic data to an external computer via a first communications link, determining an expected point in time of the deep discharge by the external computer, and transmitting a first warning signal to a first monitoring instantiation of the motor vehicle that can be specified if the determined point in time of the deep discharge is reached apart from an early warning time. A device for monitoring at least one traction battery of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device for automatically deactivating a coasting operating mode in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An activated coasting operating mode is deactivated if the current vehicle speed exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set as the sum of a minimum vehicle speed and of a maximum permissible increase in speed.

Abstract: A software package is stored on an electronic data memory of the motor vehicle. A near field communication is established between a local communication apparatus and a mobile apparatus. The software package is at least partially updated responsive to a successful authorization performed over the established near field communication between the local communication apparatus and the mobile apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic recognition of gestures or visual signals made by non-motorized road users (pedestrians, cyclists, traffic police, crossing guards, horse riders, etc.) in the vicinity of a motor vehicle. Images recorded by a digital camera on-board the motor vehicle are analyzed to determine whether a person is directing a traffic-related visual message at the driver of the motor vehicle. Indicators of whether the person's message is directed at the driver include the person's head orientation, body orientation, and visual direction. If the message is directed at the driver, the content of the message is determined and the driver is informed of the content.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is provided. The method includes activating a starter-generator rotationally coupled to a crankshaft output in an internal combustion engine while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, operating the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft in a predetermined speed range while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, and activating combustion operation in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine in response to a combustion activation trigger.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is provided. The method includes activating a starter-generator rotationally coupled to a crankshaft output in an internal combustion engine while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, operating the starter-generator to drive the crankshaft in a predetermined speed range while combustion operation in the internal combustion engine is inhibited, and activating combustion operation in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine in response to a combustion activation trigger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting assisting steering torque in a steering system having electronic power assisted steering is provided. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a steering angle change desired by the driver is determined and a range of valid steering angle changes dependent upon the steering angle change desired by the driver are defined. Subsequently it is determined whether a current steering angle change is included in the range of valid steering angle changes, and if the current steering angle change is not included in the range of the valid steering angle changes, the assisting steering torque is limited.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one traction battery of a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining basic data for the prediction of a deeply discharged state of the at least one traction battery by a battery monitoring system associated with the motor vehicle, transmitting the basic data to an external computer via a first communications link, determining an expected point in time of the deep discharge by the external computer, and transmitting a first warning signal to a first monitoring instantiation of the motor vehicle that can be specified if the determined point in time of the deep discharge is reached apart from an early warning time. A device for monitoring at least one traction battery of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for avoiding or reducing damage to a parked vehicle caused by a collision with an approaching vehicle performing a parking operation included determining, by the parked vehicle, a risk of collision, transmitting a warning signal if the risk of collision is sufficiently high, monitoring whether the approaching vehicle reacts to the warning signal, and performing a maneuver by the parked vehicle to avoid or reduce collision damage if there is no reaction. The maneuver may permit a controlled contact between the parked vehicle and the approaching vehicle to minimize the force of the contact. After such a controlled contact, a braking torque exerted by the parked vehicle is increased. Following completion of the damage avoidance maneuver, an estimate of the extent of the completed damage prevention is made and provided to the owner of the parked vehicle (including information about potential saved repair costs).

Abstract: A method for reducing the steering torque in a steering system of a vehicle. A method including the steps of monitoring a driver's torque as applied by a driver of the vehicle; providing a plurality of torques that can be imposed on the steering system; and reducing the torques that can be imposed on the steering system by a central reduction factor if monitoring of the steering system reveals a violation of a safety criterion.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the driving behavior of a driver in a motor vehicle includes a traffic-rule-conformance evaluation module (3) which evaluates the driving behavior of the driver with regard to adherence to elementary traffic rules. A defensive-driving-style evaluation module (4) evaluates the driving style of the driver under general safety aspects which are not or not always unambiguously specified by legal regulations. A rating-number specification module (5) specifies and updates continuously a rating number which represents a measure of the conformance to rules of driving behavior and defensiveness of the driving style of the driver. A communication module (6) communicates with the rating-number specification module (5) and establishes a data link with a remote data processing device (8). After the rating number has reached or exceeded a predetermined threshold value, this fact is reported to the remote data processing device (8) via the communication module (6).

Abstract: A method and a device for automatically deactivating a coasting operating mode in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An activated coasting operating mode is deactivated if the current vehicle speed exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set as the sum of a minimum vehicle speed and of a maximum permissible increase in speed.