Abstract: A method and a device for outputting a signal when there is a hazardous surface under a vehicle includes providing an optical surface sensor for determining one or more parameters of the underlying surface, a stationary-state-determining device for determining whether the vehicle is stationary or is to be brought to a standstill, and an output device that outputs a signal if the underlying surface has been determined to be hazardous on the basis of the parameter(s), and the vehicle is stationary or is to be brought to a standstill.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle includes at least one driving data sensor for sensing driving data that characterize the driving condition of the motor vehicle, and an electrical controller configured to initiate autonomous emergency braking of the motor vehicle when predetermined driving data has been sensed. A device is provided that is configured to detect a vehicle located in front of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The electrical controller maintains a brake of the motor vehicle in braking position or brings the brake into the braking position following an emergency braking action when a preceding vehicle is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for avoiding collision or for minimizing the collision severity in case of a collision, for vehicles, particularly for commercial vehicles, comprising an input unit for inputting criteria related to traffic conditions, and for determining threshold values related to traffic conditions, a detection unit for detecting objects in the environment of the vehicle, a measurement unit for determining the motion condition of the vehicle, a controller for processing the information obtained from the input unit, the detection unit, and the measuring unit, and for generating control signals for controlling the components related to the motion state of the vehicle, and an output unit for outputting the generated control signals. The invention further relates to a corresponding method and a computer program.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle regulating system is configured to pick up driving state measurement signals from driving state sensors of the vehicle and determine reaction properties of the vehicle wheels from the signals. The control device is configured to also pick up roadway measurement signals of a spectroscopic sensor that is aligned with a roadway surface and determine therefrom the presence and/or properties of a layer of water on the roadway surface. The control device determines tire properties of the tires on the basis of the determined reaction properties of the vehicle wheels and the roadway measurement signals.

Abstract: The description relates to a method and a motion sensor for detecting a vehicle movement with respect to a subsurface. The motion sensor comprises a light source unit (12) for emitting light of at least one wavelength onto the subsurface (1), at least one detector (22) for detecting light reflected by the subsurface, and an evaluation device (50) for detecting a change in the intensity of the detected reflected light over time.

Abstract: The description relates to a method and a device for controlling at least one driver assistance system (82, 84, 86, 88) of a vehicle (60). The method comprises the following steps: emitting light (11) of at least one wavelength onto a road surface (1a) under the vehicle (60), detecting light (21, 31) of the at least one wavelength reflected by the road surface (1a), acquiring at least one piece of information (100) on the nature of the road surface (1a) using the detected reflected light (21, 31) of the at least one wavelength, transmitting (200) the at least one piece of information on the nature of the road surface (1a) to the at least one driver assistance system (82, 84, 86, 88) and modifying (300) at least one parameter of the at least one driver assistance system (82, 84, 86, 88) such that the at least one driver assistance system reacts depending on the nature of the road surface (1a).

Abstract: A driver assistance system includes a speed detector, a preceding vehicle detector having at least one video camera and at least one distance sensor for detecting the distance from a preceding vehicle, a device for determining the speed of the preceding vehicle, and an electronic control unit equipped to trigger an autonomous deceleration of the vehicle with the presence of predetermined brake trigger driving data and to terminate the autonomous deceleration with the presence of predetermined brake abortion driving data. The control unit effects: redundant detection of preceding vehicle driving data, and non-redundant detection of preceding vehicle driving data if a redundant detection is not possible. The non-redundantly detected preceding vehicle driving data is compared to preceding vehicle driving data redundantly detected within a predetermined time, and the non-redundantly detected data is used to control the autonomous deceleration if it corresponds to the redundantly detected data.

Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle includes: (a) at least one driving data sensor for acquiring driving data characterizing a driving state of the motor vehicle; (b) at least one camera for capturing images of the surroundings; (c) an accident recorder that can record the images of the surroundings in a buffer; and (d) an electronic controller for controlling the driving data sensor, the camera, and the accident recorder. The electronic controller is programmed to trigger an autonomous braking action of the motor vehicle based on driving data and/or images of the surroundings.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a motor vehicle includes a service brake comprising an electronic controller programmed/configured to detect driving data of the vehicle and distance data to a preceding vehicle, to calculate a movement prediction based on the driving and distance data, to influence the movement of the vehicle by influencing driving and braking, and to output a warning signal to the vehicle driver if the prediction indicates that, assuming a predetermined limiting braking retardation, a probability of an impact with another vehicle, with the adaptive cruise control system being activated, exceeds a predetermined impact probability threshold value without any intervention on the part of the driver. The controller is configured to detect braking parameters, based on which a maximum braking retardation that can be achieved with the service brakes can be calculated, and to reduce the limiting retardation, if the maximum retardation is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a vehicle, in particular commercial vehicle, wherein the driver assistance system (14) has: a detection system which has at least one sensor (15-1, 15-2, 15-3) for issuing measuring signals (S5-1, S5-2, S5-3), a control unit (16) for receiving the measuring signals (S5-1, S5-2, S5-3) and for determining the probability of a critical situation or critical state of the vehicle (1), wherein, when a critical state or sufficient probability of a critical state is identified, the control unit (16) of the driver assistance system (14) outputs a signal (S6) for priming a brake system (4) to a brake control device (6) of the brake system (4) of the vehicle (1), and wherein the control unit (16) outputs an external brake request signal (S6) for initiating braking operations to the brake control device (6) of the brake system (4).

Abstract: A driver assistance system includes a sensor for sensing the speed of a first vehicle equipped with the system, a sensor for detecting a vehicle traveling ahead, a sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle ahead, at least one driving-data sensor for sensing driving data characteristics, and an electronic controller programmed to trigger autonomous braking of the first vehicle when predetermined brake-trigger driving data exist, and to end the autonomous braking when predetermined driving data for terminating braking exist. In effecting termination of autonomous braking, the electronic controller is programmed to determine whether the sensor for detecting vehicles ahead is transmitting signals (i.e., is operational) but is not detecting any vehicle traveling ahead, and, if the sensor is operational and no vehicle traveling ahead is detected, to terminate autonomous braking when the speed of the first vehicle is less than the most recently determined speed of the vehicle ahead.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for correctly carrying out autonomous emergency braking in a road vehicle (1) in order to reduce the severity of an accident, the speed of the vehicle being determined during the autonomous emergency braking. According to the method, a determination of speed which is independent of the wheel rotational speeds of the vehicle is additionally used. By this means, the vehicle speed can be determined sufficiently accurately even in the cases in which, as a result of sharp autonomous braking, the vehicle speed is higher than the wheel rotational speeds.

Abstract: A system and method for warning vehicle operators of obstructions are provided. First clearance data of the vehicle, including vehicle height and width, are obtained and stored in memory. An obstruction in the vehicle's path and the travel surface between the vehicle and the obstruction are scanned by a sensor device. Second clearance data of the obstruction, including the height and width of the vehicle passage defined by the obstruction, are determined and are stored in memory. Utilizing a comparison/warning signal generating device, the first and second clearance data are compared, and a warning signal is generated when values of the first clearance data are equal to or greater than corresponding values of the second clearance data. A monitoring device monitors the time period between generation of the warning signal and responsive action by the vehicle operator to avoid a collision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising a speed detection device (22) for detecting driving data in the form of a speed (vk) of the motor vehicle (10), a preceding vehicle detection device (14), which comprises as a first component at least one video camera (18) and as a second component at least one distance sensor (20), for detecting driving data in the form of a distance (A) from a preceding vehicle (16) driving in front of the motor vehicle (10), a preceding vehicle speed determination device for determining driving data in the form of a preceding vehicle speed (vVf) of the preceding vehicle (16), and an electric control unit (28), which is equipped to trigger an autonomous deceleration of the motor vehicle (10) with the presence of predetermined brake trigger driving data and to terminate the autonomous deceleration of the motor vehicle (10) with the presence of predetermined brake abortion driving data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptive cruise control system for a motor vehicle, having a service brake comprising an electric controller (24), which is equipped to detect the driving data of the motor vehicle and distance data to a preceding vehicle, to compile a movement prediction based on the driving data and the distance data, to influence the state of movement of the motor vehicle by influencing the driving and braking means, and to output a warning signal to a drive of the motor vehicle (10), if the movement prediction indicates that, assuming a predetermined threshold delay (agrenz), an impact probability of an impact with another motor vehicle, with the adaptive cruise control system being activated, exceeds a predetermined impact probability threshold value without any intervention on the part of the drive of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for avoiding collision or for minimizing the collision severity in case of a collision, for vehicles, particularly for commercial vehicles, comprising an input unit for inputting criteria related to traffic conditions, and for determining threshold values related to traffic conditions, a detection unit for detecting objects in the environment of the vehicle, a measurement unit for determining the motion condition of the vehicle, a controller for processing the information obtained from the input unit, the detection unit, and the measuring unit, and for generating control signals for controlling the components related to the motion state of the vehicle, and an output unit for outputting the generated control signals. The invention further relates to a corresponding method and a computer program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one driving data sensor (20) for sensing driving data that characterizes the driving condition of the motor vehicle (10), and an electrical controller (26) which is designed to initiate autonomous emergency braking of the motor vehicle (10) when predetermined driving data has been sensed. According to the invention, a device is provided which is designed to detect a preceding vehicle (22) located in front of the motor vehicle (10) in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (10). The electrical controller (26) is designed to maintain a brake of the motor vehicle (10) in a braking position or bring the brake into the braking position following an emergency braking action when the device detecting a preceding vehicle detects the preceding vehicle (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: (a) at least one driving data sensor (20) for acquiring driving data characterising a driving state of the motor vehicle; (b) at least one camera (24, 30) for capturing images of the surroundings; (c) an accident recorder (28) that is designed to record the images of the surroundings in a buffer; and (d) an electric controller (26) for controlling the driving data sensor (20), the camera (24, 30), and the accident recorder (28). According to the invention, the electric controller (26) is designed to trigger an autonomous braking action of the motor vehicle (10) when predetermined driving data and/or images of the surroundings are provided.

Abstract: A driver assistance system includes a sensor for sensing the speed of a first vehicle equipped with the system, a sensor for detecting a vehicle traveling ahead, a sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle ahead, at least one driving-data sensor for sensing driving data characteristics, and an electronic controller programmed to trigger autonomous braking of the first vehicle when predetermined brake-trigger driving data exist, and to end the autonomous braking when predetermined driving data for terminating braking exist. In effecting termination of autonomous braking, the electronic controller is programmed to determine whether the sensor for detecting vehicles ahead is transmitting signals (i.e., is operational) but is not detecting any vehicle traveling ahead, and, if the sensor is operational and no vehicle traveling ahead is detected, to terminate autonomous braking when the speed of the first vehicle is less than the most recently determined speed of the vehicle ahead.

Abstract: A system and method for warning vehicle operators of obstructions are provided. First clearance data of the vehicle, including vehicle height and width, are obtained and stored in memory. An obstruction in the vehicle's path and the travel surface between the vehicle and the obstruction are scanned by a sensor device. Second clearance data of the obstruction, including the height and width of the vehicle passage defined by the obstruction, are determined and are stored in memory. Utilizing a comparison/warning signal generating device, the first and second clearance data are compared, and a warning signal is generated when values of the first clearance data are equal to or greater than corresponding values of the second clearance data. A monitoring device monitors the time period between generation of the warning signal and responsive action by the vehicle operator to avoid a collision.