Abstract: A system includes a computing device programmed to receive a set of goals for a vehicle and identify a travel area for the vehicle for a time period. The computing device receives data indicating predictability of driving conditions of the travel area and determines that the predictability is sufficient to control the vehicle according to model predictive control. Controlling the vehicle includes determining instructions to control actuators related to the steering, propulsion and braking of the vehicle to minimize a cost function. The instructions are implemented for a first time slot. The time period is updated to remove the first time slot at the beginning and include an additional time slot at the end of the predetermined time period. The computing device determines an updated control solution, and implements the updated control solution for a second time slot.

Abstract: A computer for, e.g., a mass market passenger vehicle operable by a virtual driver in autonomous and/or semi-autonomous mode, is programmed to determine that a current vehicle braking capacity exceeds each of a first braking target and a mitigation threshold at a current vehicle speed. The computer is further programmed to compare the current vehicle speed to an engine breaking threshold and generate a transmission control message providing data to operate a vehicle transmission. Where the current vehicle speed is above the engine braking threshold, the transmission control message provides data to operate the vehicle transmission to inhibit transfer of an input torque through the vehicle transmission. Additionally, where the current vehicle speed is below a wheel lock threshold, the transmission control message further provides data to operate the vehicle transmission to inhibit rotation of an output shaft of the vehicle transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an identification system configured to acquire information from a token in a vicinity of the vehicle and to classify a driver of the vehicle based on the information. The vehicle may also include at least one controller in communication with the identification system and configured to characterize a driver's control of the vehicle and to record a history of the characterization if the driver classification is of a particular type.

Abstract: A method for advising a driver of a vehicle including a haptic driver interface may include determining a speed of the vehicle, determining a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle, and activating the haptic driver interface based on the speed and distance.

Abstract: Systems and method for assigning vehicle suspension dynamics are disclosed. Control signals that correspond to a current driving dynamic of a suspension system of a vehicle are generated. A vehicle state associated with the generated control signals is computed and a non-traditional suspension mode is selected. Based on the computed vehicle state and the selected suspension mode, a suspension height of the vehicle is adjusted.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an obstacle avoidance system with active suspensions. The obstacle avoidance system uses one or more active suspensions to lift or jump one or more corresponding wheels over an obstacle in the vehicle's path to avoid contact with the obstacle when the vehicle cannot practically drive over, steer around, or stop before hitting the obstacle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.

Abstract: A method for advising a driver of a vehicle may include measuring a plurality of parameters representing the vehicle's current handling condition and the vehicle's limit handling condition, determining a margin between the vehicle's current handling condition and limit handling condition, and initiating an alert for the driver before the vehicle achieves the limit handling condition if the margin exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle system to refine a travel range estimation of an electrified vehicle if a desired destination cannot be reached under current driving conditions. The controlling step includes warning a driver about a travel range based on the driver's driving habits, coaching the driver to modify the driving habits, and adjusting operation of at least one vehicle subsystem.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to project monitoring needs for a road segment. The processor is further configured to contact one or more vehicles traveling on the road segment during a time of monitoring need. The processor is additionally configured to instruct a first number, determined based on a projected monitoring need, of contacted vehicles to being monitoring and reporting traffic data for the road segment.

Abstract: A vehicle selectively operates in a plurality of operational modes. The operational modes carry with them different commands for operating a controlled suspension system such as a continuously controlled damping suspension system, a controlled steering system such as an electronic power-assist steering system, and a powertrain of the vehicle. For example, in one operational mode, the powertrain might be more sensitive to output torque from a motor or engine quickly with little hesitation. The vehicle includes a sensing system, such as a plurality of suspension height sensors and a corresponding controller programmed to receive suspension height signals indicating the characteristic of the road, to categorize the signals, and to compute categorized vehicle characteristics such as vehicle pitch, heave, roll, yaw, etc. The controller can discretize the categorized signals into a discrete number of index values, and then command the vehicle to change operational mode based on the discrete index value.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to gather historical risk-affecting data with respect to a current road. The processor is also configured to gather current risk-affecting data with respect to the current road. Further, the processor is configured to generate a baseline risk index for the road based on the historical data.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system comprises a 5-sensor cluster and a stability controller configured to communicate with the 5-sensor cluster and receive signals corresponding to a lateral acceleration, a longitudinal acceleration, a yaw rate, a roll rate, and a pitch rate from the 5-sensor cluster. The stability controller can also be configured to determine a braking amount or a throttle amount to maintain vehicle stability. The system also comprises a brake controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a braking request from the stability controller, and a throttle controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a throttle request from the stability controller. The system may also comprise a braking or throttling command computed based on various scenarios detected by measured and calculated signals.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a driver interface and at least one controller operatively arranged with the interface. The at least one controller may be configured to determine a speed and acceleration of the vehicle, to predict a time until a future speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined speed based on the predefined speed and the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, and to issue an alert via the interface if the time is less than a predefined time.

Abstract: A curve length, a curve size, and a curve heading angle change of a roadway being traveled by a vehicle are determined. Each of the curve length, the curve size, and the curve heading angle are compared with one or more threshold values to obtain a driving mode request.

Abstract: A vehicle and a vehicle system are provided with a controller that is configured to generate output indicative of a kinematic road gradient estimation using an extended Kalman filter. The extended Kalman filter includes a system input based on a longitudinal acceleration and an acceleration offset, and a system output based on a predicted vehicle speed. The acceleration offset is based on at least one of a lateral velocity, a lateral offset, and a vehicle pitch angle. The controller is further configured to generate output indicative of a kinematic quality factor corresponding to an availability of the kinematic road gradient estimation.

Abstract: A vehicle selectively operates in a plurality of operational modes. The operational modes carry with them different commands for operating a controlled suspension system such as a continuously controlled damping suspension system, a controlled steering system such as an electronic power-assist steering system, and a powertrain of the vehicle. For example, in one operational mode, the powertrain might be more sensitive to output torque from a motor or engine quickly with little hesitation. The vehicle includes a sensing system, such as a plurality of suspension height sensors and a corresponding controller programmed to receive suspension height signals indicating the characteristic of the road, to categorize the signals, and to compute categorized vehicle characteristics such as vehicle pitch, heave, roll, yaw, etc. The controller can discretize the categorized signals into a discrete number of index values, and then command the vehicle to change operational mode based on the discrete index value.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing vehicle global pitch angle and rate that uses global velocities measured from a single antenna global positioning system (GPS) receiver together with sensor fusion algorithms involving sensor signals and other computed signals. This constructed, or computed, vehicle body's pitch angle may replace the role of a pitch rate sensor in an integrated stability control system. Namely, it achieves enhanced vehicle state estimation without the need for a pitch rate sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system comprises a 5-sensor cluster and a stability controller configured to communicate with the 5-sensor cluster and receive signals corresponding to a lateral acceleration, a longitudinal acceleration, a yaw rate, a roll rate, and a pitch rate from the 5-sensor cluster. The stability controller can also be configured to determine a braking amount or a throttle amount to maintain vehicle stability. The system also comprises a brake controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a braking request from the stability controller, and a throttle controller configured to communicate with the stability controller and receive a throttle request from the stability controller. The system may also comprise a braking or throttling command computed based on various scenarios detected by measured and calculated signals.

Abstract: A curve length, a curve size, and a curve heading angle change of a roadway being traveled by a vehicle are determined. Each of the curve length, the curve size, and the curve heading angle are compared with one or more threshold values to obtain a driving mode request.