Abstract: While operating a host vehicle in an area, a target vehicle is identified in a sub-area based on detecting a visual cue from the target vehicle. A future location of the target vehicle is predicted to intersect a path of the host vehicle. A stop position of the host vehicle is determined based on the future location of the target vehicle. At least one of the target vehicle is determined to have moved or the path of the host vehicle is updated. Then, the host vehicle is operated to the stop position or along the updated path.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a wireless communication module, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives, via the wireless communication module, an automated hitching initiation command from an external wireless device, receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives scene data from a detection system and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and derives a steering control signal, a powertrain control signal, and a brake control signal to respectively control a vehicle steering system, a vehicle powertrain control system, and a vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path. The controller processes at least one of the steering control signal, powertrain control signal, and brake signal according to one of a distance to the coupler, derived from the scene data, or a vehicle speed, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives the scene data and identifying a trailer and at least one ground surface within the area to the rear of the vehicle and differentiates between first and second portions of the ground surface having first and second ground surface classifications. The controller further derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer to maintain the vehicle within the first portion of the ground surface having the first ground surface classification and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle during reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display system may include a peg array of multiple pegs. Each peg may be individually addressable and designed to move along one or more axes. The 3D display system may also include an induction array having multiple electromagnetic coils to generate electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields may induce magnetic forces upon at least one peg to cause the peg to move along an axis into an actuated position. The 3D display may also include a display screen to be distended into a 3D topography via contact with at least one peg in the actuated position.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to determine an offset between the hitch assembly and the coupler. The controller is further configured to generate a command for maneuvering the vehicle forward based on the offset exceeding an offset threshold. The controller is further configured to generate a command for subsequently maneuvering the vehicle rearward along an alignment path. The controller is configured to prompt termination of the forward maneuver of the vehicle based on a determination that alignment of the hitch assembly with the coupler is feasible via execution of the alignment path.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle comprises identifying a first detected position of a trailer coupler in the sensor data and identifying a trajectory range of a hitch of the vehicle based on a steering angle range of the vehicle. In response to the first detected position being outside the trajectory range, the method may continue by calculating a nearby position within the trajectory range based on the trajectory range. The method further comprises maneuvering the vehicle aligning the hitch with the nearby position.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system including a controller determining a trailer target area to a rear of the vehicle. The trailer target area is positioned within left and right lateral vehicle steering limits, defined in a lateral direction between left and right boundaries respectively spaced inwardly of the left and right lateral vehicle steering limits by one of a system perception factor or a vehicle geometry factor, and defined in a longitudinal direction between a minimum movement limit and a maximum perception limit. The controller further identifies a trailer coupler within the trailer target area and outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler during movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a steering system having steered vehicle wheels mounted on an exterior of the vehicle and a steering motor mechanically coupled with the steered vehicle wheels. The system further includes controller that acquires control of the steered vehicle wheels by connection with the steering motor and, after acquiring control of the steered vehicle wheels, receives a command to execute an automated hitching maneuver and controls the steered vehicle wheels using the steering motor.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller that controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle according to an initial alignment maneuver that positions the vehicle relative to the trailer, such that the trailer is within the area to the rear of the vehicle. The controller further receives the scene data and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises a steering control system configured to control a steering angle of a plurality of steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the vehicle to stop in a stopped position upon completing a vehicle alignment routine and identify an alignment error distance between the hitch and the coupler position in the stopped position. The controller is further configured to calculate a change distance of the hitch based on the steering angle and calculate an aligned steering error distance. The aligned steering error distance is calculated by comparing the change distance to the alignment error. Based on the aligned steering error distance, the controller may selectively suppress the steering angle alignment routine.

Abstract: A road friction is determined for a road location based on a traffic speed determined from respective speeds of each of a plurality of vehicles. A vehicle can be operated based on the determined road friction.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a wireless communication module, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives, via the wireless communication module, an automated hitching initiation command from an external wireless device, receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.

Abstract: While operating a host vehicle in an area, a target vehicle is identified in a sub-area based on detecting a visual cue from the target vehicle. A future location of the target vehicle is predicted to intersect a path of the host vehicle. A stop position of the host vehicle is determined based on the future location of the target vehicle. At least one of the target vehicle is determined to have moved or the path of the host vehicle is updated. Then, the host vehicle is operated to the stop position or along the updated path.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to determine an offset between the hitch assembly and the coupler. The controller is further configured to generate a command for maneuvering the vehicle forward based on the offset exceeding an offset threshold. The controller is further configured to generate a command for subsequently maneuvering the vehicle rearward along an alignment path. The controller is configured to prompt termination of the forward maneuver of the vehicle based on a determination that alignment of the hitch assembly with the coupler is feasible via execution of the alignment path.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives scene data from a detection system and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and derives a steering control signal, a powertrain control signal, and a brake control signal to respectively control a vehicle steering system, a vehicle powertrain control system, and a vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path. The controller processes at least one of the steering control signal, powertrain control signal, and brake signal according to one of a distance to the coupler, derived from the scene data, or a vehicle speed, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.