Abstract: A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle, especially an automobile, is responsive to information concerning a route and traffic. The method identifies at least a portion of an anticipated route, based on planned route data from a navigation system and/or based on data from a repeat journey logger. The method determines an optimal braking or accelerating point based on the anticipated route and outputs a sign to a driver to adjust the vehicle speed in accordance with the optimal braking or accelerating point. The method also records speed profiles of the vehicle along routes followed in a repeat journey logger and uses these speed profiles to determine an optimal braking or accelerating point. Instead of, or as well as outputting a sign to the driver, the method can adjust the speed profile of the vehicle in accordance with the optimal braking or acceleration point.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system for a vehicle includes a means 13 for storing details of one or more deceleration profiles for the vehicle; means for comparing 13, arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the or a selected stored deceleration profile which generates an output signal, during the manoeuvre, representative of any deviation of the deceleration profile of the current braking manoeuvre from the ideal deceleration profile with which it is compared. This output can be used to drive a display 14 to provide feedback to a driver as to the efficiency of a braking manoeuvre. Multiple ideal deceleration profiles may be stored and the system arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the most relevant stored profile. Profiles may be stored in association with spatial, temporal and/or environmental information.

Abstract: A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle, especially an automobile, is responsive to information concerning a route and traffic. The method identifies at least a portion of an anticipated route, based on planned route data from a navigation system and/or based on data from a repeat journey logger. The method determines an optimal braking or accelerating point based on the anticipated route and outputs a sign to a driver to adjust the vehicle speed in accordance with the optimal braking or accelerating point. The method also records speed profiles of the vehicle along routes followed in a repeat journey logger and uses these speed profiles to determine an optimal braking or accelerating point. Instead of, or as well as outputting a sign to the driver, the method can adjust the speed profile of the vehicle in accordance with the optimal braking or acceleration point.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as an automobile, is provided with friction and regenerative braking systems. A sensor detects an obstacle in the vehicle's path and a brake controller, when operated by a user, automatically deploys either or both braking systems to decelerate the vehicle so that its speed corresponds to that of the obstacle when the vehicle is a predetermined distance from the obstacle. The brake controller is arranged to deploy the braking systems in order to optimize recovery of kinetic energy by the regenerative braking system. The brake controller may be operated in a standard mode, in which it deploys the braking systems to provide a retarding force on the vehicle which depends on a driver's input. The brake controller may be controlled by a brake pedal. The pedal may have a position part way along its travel at which resistance to further travel temporarily increases and operation of the pedal beyond that position causes the brake controller to operate in the standard mode.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a motor vehicle includes an assisted braking system and a controller arranged to determine, in response to one or more driving condition parameters and in advance of a brake application, the braking assistance to be provided. Braking assistance is defined by a function which maps a brake actuation parameter to be applied from a detected brake pedal actuation parameter. Each driving condition parameter includes an environmental condition parameter. The controller may also adjust the braking assistance in response to one or more braking response signals.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a motor vehicle includes an assisted braking system and a controller arranged to determine, in response to one or more driving condition parameters and in advance of a brake application, the braking assistance to be provided. Braking assistance is defined by a function which maps a brake actuation parameter to be applied from a detected brake pedal actuation parameter. Each driving condition parameter includes an environmental condition parameter. The controller may also adjust the braking assistance in response to one or more braking response signals.