Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are described. A trajectory planner module provides a first trajectory to a trajectory control module. The trajectory control module determines parameters of the first trajectory. The trajectory control module compares the parameters to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module obtains one or more alternative trajectories, determines parameters of each alternative trajectory, and compares the parameters of the alternative trajectory to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module selects a trajectory for controlling the autonomous vehicle that has parameters which are within a range defined by the threshold values and controls the autonomous vehicle based on the selected trajectory. Thus, before handing back control to a driver, the trajectory control module selects from alternate trajectories for controlling the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that include: one or more sensors disposed onboard a vehicle and configured to at least facilitate obtaining sensor data for the vehicle; one or more location systems configured to at least facilitate obtaining location data pertaining to a location of the vehicle; a computer memory configured to store map data pertaining to a path corresponding to the location; and a processor disposed onboard the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: generating an elevation profile along the path using the sensor data and the map data; and providing instructions for controlling the vehicle using the elevation profile.

Abstract: A method of maintaining stability of a motor vehicle having a first axle, a second axle, and a steering actuator configured to steer the first axle includes determining localization and heading of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a current side-slip angle of the second axle and setting a maximum side-slip angle of the second axle using the friction coefficient at the vehicle and road surface interface. The method additionally includes predicting when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded using the localization, heading, and determined current side-slip angle as inputs to a linear computational model. The method also includes updating the model using the prediction of when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded to determine impending instability of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes correcting for the impending instability using the updated model and the maximum side-slip angle via modifying a steering angle of the first axle.

Abstract: A method of maintaining stability of a motor vehicle having a first axle, a second axle, and a steering actuator configured to steer the first axle includes determining localization and heading of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a current side-slip angle of the second axle and setting a maximum side-slip angle of the second axle using the friction coefficient at the vehicle and road surface interface. The method additionally includes predicting when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded using the localization, heading, and determined current side-slip angle as inputs to a linear computational model. The method also includes updating the model using the prediction of when the maximum side-slip angle would be exceeded to determine impending instability of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes correcting for the impending instability using the updated model and the maximum side-slip angle via modifying a steering angle of the first axle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that include: one or more sensors disposed onboard a vehicle and configured to at least facilitate obtaining sensor data for the vehicle; one or more location systems configured to at least facilitate obtaining location data pertaining to a location of the vehicle; a computer memory configured to store map data pertaining to a path corresponding to the location; and a processor disposed onboard the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: generating an elevation profile along the path using the sensor data and the map data; and providing instructions for controlling the vehicle using the elevation profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are described. A trajectory planner module provides a first trajectory to a trajectory control module. The trajectory control module determines parameters of the first trajectory. The trajectory control module compares the parameters to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module obtains one or more alternative trajectories, determines parameters of each alternative trajectory, and compares the parameters of the alternative trajectory to a respective threshold value. The trajectory control module selects a trajectory for controlling the autonomous vehicle that has parameters which are within a range defined by the threshold values and controls the autonomous vehicle based on the selected trajectory. Thus, before handing back control to a driver, the trajectory control module selects from alternate trajectories for controlling the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information about a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle is traveling directly ahead of the host vehicle and the information includes velocity of the lead vehicle and a gap g between the host vehicle and the lead vehicle. Based on detecting a change in the velocity of the lead vehicle in the information, a corresponding desired acceleration is computed for the host vehicle using perceived acceleration of the lead vehicle to maintain the gap g within a specified range of gap values. The perceived acceleration of the lead vehicle is based on the change in the velocity indicated by the information. Based on a check of parameters involved in the computing the corresponding desired acceleration, a modified desired acceleration is computed for the host vehicle using a lag for the lead vehicle that results in an intended acceleration of the lead vehicle differing from the perceived acceleration.

Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for lane changes performed by an assisted driving control system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a requirement for a lane change, to determine a first headway between a host vehicle and a lead vehicle and a second headway between the host vehicle and an adjacent vehicle occupying the desired lane. The velocity of the host vehicle is adjusted in response to the first headway and the second headway and the lane change is initiated in response to the second headway exceeding an adequate distance.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for driving automation control of a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a vehicle maneuver, such as a lane change, and provide a first kinesthetic cue to a supervisory driver or vehicle occupant indicating the start of a vehicle maneuver. The system and method are then operative to complete the vehicle maneuver and provide a second kinesthetic cue indicating the completion of the vehicle maneuver.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, shifting, acceleration, or braking, at least one sensor configured to provide signals indicative of road geometry in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator in an autonomous driving mode based on signals from the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically determine a first time parameter based on a distance to a merge location between a current driving lane of the vehicle and a target lane adjacent the current driving lane in response to signals from the sensor, to automatically determine a second time parameter based on a calculated merge completion time, and to automatically discontinue autonomous control of the actuator based on a difference between the first time parameter and the second time parameter.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for autonomous vehicle driver confirmation in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a situation wherein driver confirmation is desired, acoustically request driver confirmation via vehicle speakers, and receive verbal driver confirmation via vehicle microphones.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for lane changes performed by an assisted driving control system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a requirement for a lane change, to determine a first headway between a host vehicle and a lead vehicle and a second headway between the host vehicle and an adjacent vehicle occupying the desired lane. The velocity of the host vehicle is adjusted in response to the first headway and the second headway and the lane change is initiated in response to the second headway exceeding an adequate distance.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an actuator, a sensor, and a controller configured to selectively control the actuator in an autonomous driving mode. The controller is configured to identify an adjacent driving lane proximate a current driving lane based on signals from the sensor. The controller is configured to access a current lane preference value and an adjacent lane preference value from non-transient data memory. The controller is configured to calculate a relative position and relative velocity of a target object external to the vehicle. The controller is configured to calculate a current lane weight value for the current driving lane and an adjacent lane weight value for the adjacent driving lane. The controller is configured to, in response to the adjacent lane weight value exceeding the current lane weight value, automatically control the actuator to perform a lane change maneuver from the current driving lane to the adjacent driving lane.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, shifting, acceleration, or braking, at least one sensor configured to provide signals indicative of road geometry in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator in an autonomous driving mode based on signals from the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically determine a first time parameter based on a distance to a merge location between a current driving lane of the vehicle and a target lane adjacent the current driving lane in response to signals from the sensor, to automatically determine a second time parameter based on a calculated merge completion time, and to automatically discontinue autonomous control of the actuator based on a difference between the first time parameter and the second time parameter.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for driving automation control of a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a vehicle maneuver, such as a lane change, and provide a first kinesthetic cue to a supervisory driver or vehicle occupant indicating the start of a vehicle maneuver. The system and method are then operative to complete the vehicle maneuver and provide a second kinesthetic cue indicating the completion of the vehicle maneuver.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for autonomous vehicle driver confirmation in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a situation wherein driver confirmation is desired, acoustically request driver confirmation via vehicle speakers, and receive verbal driver confirmation via vehicle microphones.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous host vehicle. The method includes receiving data measured from a plurality of sensors, wherein the measured data relates to one or more target vehicles in the host vehicle's field of view, calculating a desired speed command based on a driver-selected set-speed and the measured data, detecting initiation of a host vehicle lane change to a desired adjacent lane, and in response to initiation of the lane change, selecting an acceleration profile based on at least one set of operating conditions, calculating a modified speed command by adjusting the desired speed command according to the selected acceleration profile; and controlling a host vehicle speed based on the modified speed command.

Abstract: The methods and system described herein may be used to assist an automated driving system of a host vehicle. The methods and system may, in an exemplary embodiment, be used to determine whether a host vehicle or a target vehicle is cutting out and, accordingly, control the acceleration and/or other driving features of the host vehicle. Generally, the methods described herein contain the steps of determining that a vehicle is cutting out, determining which vehicle is cutting out, and then controlling the acceleration of the host vehicle based on the previous determinations. The determination of which vehicle is cutting out is made based on readings gathered by the host vehicle from one or more automated driving sensors. By using target vehicle sensor data in conjunction with lane marking sensor data, the host vehicle can determine, not only that a vehicle is cutting out, but which vehicle(s) are cutting out.