Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves a controller associated with a vehicle identifying a visual attention state associated with a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on output of an imaging device onboard the vehicle, determining, based at least in part on the visual attention state, a driver lane preference corresponding to an adjacent lane in a visual attention direction relative to a current lane of travel for the vehicle, adjusting a priority associated with the adjacent lane corresponding to the driver lane preference and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle to initiate maneuvering the vehicle from the current lane in a manner that is influenced by the adjusted priority associated with the adjacent lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing transitions between operational modes of a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to, by a processor: automatically transition between vehicular operational modes without initiation by the driver including a hands-off autonomous driving mode in which the processor controls lateral steering of the vehicle, a hands-on driving assistance mode in which the processor controls the lateral steering of the vehicle while the driver is holding the steering wheel, and a no control mode in which the driver controls the lateral steering of the vehicle. The transition between the operational modes is based on sensed data. The hands-off autonomous driving mode is prioritized over the hands-on driving assistance mode which is prioritized over the no control mode. The controller is further configured to display on a human-machine-interface a notification indicating that at least one of the operational modes is active or not available.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for evasive steering maneuvers includes a forward object detector configured to detect objects in a driving path of a vehicle, a steering wheel configured to control a steering direction of the vehicle, a vehicle user interface configured to display a visual indication to a driver and generate audio for the driver, and a vehicle control module configured to identify, via the forward object detector, an object in the driving path of the vehicle, determine an estimated time to collision with the object, and in response to the estimated time to collision being less than a specified time threshold, execute at least one of providing a visual indication of a recommended evasive steering maneuver to the driver via the vehicle user interface, generating an audio alert of the recommended evasive steering maneuver, applying steering torque to the steering wheel to indicate the recommended evasive steering maneuver.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating vehicle parameters of a vehicle. A maximum desired vehicle acceleration and a minimum excitation acceleration in a first direction are determined. The minimum excitation acceleration is associated with generating an estimated vehicle parameter. A first control input for transmission to an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to apply a temporary excitation acceleration that is greater than the minimum excitation acceleration and less than the maximum desired vehicle acceleration is generated. The estimated vehicle parameter is generated using a vehicle parameter estimation observation model based on vehicle data received from at least one vehicle sensor. The vehicle data is generated in response to the application of the temporary excitation acceleration to the vehicle. The estimated vehicle parameter is transmitted to the ADAS of the vehicle for replacement of a previous vehicle parameter at the ADAS with the estimated vehicle parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of a vehicle. The system includes a controller in operable communication with the DMS of the vehicle. The controller is configured to, by a processor: receive a signal from the DMS that a camera of the DMS is unable to monitor a driver of the vehicle, determine a cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver, and adjust an escalation algorithm of the DMS based on the determined cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver. The escalation algorithm is configured to perform actions based on activity of the driver.

Abstract: A system includes a brake torque request module, a brake control module, and a diagnostic module. The brake torque request module is configured to generate a brake torque request based on a brake pedal position during a braking event. The brake control module is configured to apply friction brakes on a wheelset of a vehicle to satisfy the brake torque request during the braking event. The wheelset includes less than all wheels of the vehicle. The diagnostic module is configured to detect a fault in a brake rotor on a wheel in the wheelset based on vehicle operating conditions measured during the braking event.

Abstract: A method in a vehicle, includes: providing, via an HMI, a request to be followed indication responsive to receipt of a request to be followed from a following vehicle; providing, via the HMI, a request to enter a tether operating mode; entering the tether operating mode and selecting a tether goal between the lead vehicle and the following vehicle; providing, via the HMI, a tether mode indication that indicates that the lead vehicle is in the tether operating mode; monitoring a headway between the lead vehicle and following vehicle; adjusting a preplanned trajectory calculated by a driver assistance system to facilitate the following vehicle obtaining and maintaining the tether goal; modifying driver assistance system operation based on a level at which the headway is greater than the tether goal; and generating control signals for vehicle actuators to control the lead vehicle to facilitate the following vehicle maintaining the tether goal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for alerting a driver to take control of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, a driver alertness level based on a weighted summation of a first set of feature data; determining, by the processor, a required alertness level based on a weighted summation of a second set of feature data; determining, by the processor, an escalation index based on the driver alertness level and the required alertness level; and generating, by the processor, alert notification data based on the escalation index.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing transitions between operational modes of a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to, by a processor: automatically transition between vehicular operational modes without initiation by the driver including a hands-off autonomous driving mode in which the processor controls lateral steering of the vehicle, a hands-on driving assistance mode in which the processor controls the lateral steering of the vehicle while the driver is holding the steering wheel, and a no control mode in which the driver controls the lateral steering of the vehicle. The transition between the operational modes is based on sensed data. The hands-off autonomous driving mode is prioritized over the hands-on driving assistance mode which is prioritized over the no control mode. The controller is further configured to display on a human-machine-interface a notification indicating that at least one of the operational modes is active or not available.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of a vehicle. The system includes a controller in operable communication with the DMS of the vehicle. The controller is configured to, by a processor: receive a signal from the DMS that a camera of the DMS is unable to monitor a driver of the vehicle, determine a cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver, and adjust an escalation algorithm of the DMS based on the determined cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver. The escalation algorithm is configured to perform actions based on activity of the driver.

Abstract: A driver assistance system in a host vehicle is provided. The driver assistance system is configured to: track a plurality of obstacles in front of the host vehicle; receive host vehicle driver selection of a follow operating mode for the driver assistance system via a human machine interface (HMI); identify a candidate lead vehicle from the plurality of tracked obstacles; provide, via the HMI, a line of sight view in front of the host vehicle that includes the candidate lead vehicle; receive host vehicle driver selection of the candidate lead vehicle as a lead vehicle to follow; adjust a desired trajectory calculated by the driver assistance system to obtain and maintain a desired headway between the lead vehicle and the host vehicle; and generate control signals for vehicle actuators to control the host vehicle to follow the desired trajectory to follow the lead vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves a controller associated with a vehicle identifying a visual attention state associated with a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on output of an imaging device onboard the vehicle, determining, based at least in part on the visual attention state, a driver lane preference corresponding to an adjacent lane in a visual attention direction relative to a current lane of travel for the vehicle, adjusting a priority associated with the adjacent lane corresponding to the driver lane preference and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle to initiate maneuvering the vehicle from the current lane in a manner that is influenced by the adjusted priority associated with the adjacent lane.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to execute one or more methods for detecting function of a charging receptacle during a charging cycle. The methods include supplying a charging current through the pins; monitoring a pin temperature of the pins during the charging current; and applying a first step function to the charging current. The methods may also include monitoring a first step change in the pin temperature during the first step function; comparing the first step change in the pin temperature to a first expected temperature change to create a first deviation; and comparing the first deviation to a predetermined threshold. If the first deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, signaling a maintenance alert, and if the first deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, logging the first deviation.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium and methods capable of being executed thereby are provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes contents that are configured to cause a computing system to perform the method related to a charging port of an electrified vehicle. The method, or methods, include taking a current photo of at least one of a charging receptacle or a cordset of the charging port; image processing the current photo; and determining whether the current photo includes one or more identified faults from the image processed current photo. If one or more identified faults are present in the image processed current photo, at least one of: sending a maintenance message; limiting charging; or adjusting system parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to execute one or more methods for detecting function of a charging receptacle during a charging cycle. The methods include supplying a charging current through the pins; monitoring a pin temperature of the pins during the charging current; and applying a first step function to the charging current. The methods may also include monitoring a first step change in the pin temperature during the first step function; comparing the first step change in the pin temperature to a first expected temperature change to create a first deviation; and comparing the first deviation to a predetermined threshold. If the first deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, signaling a maintenance alert, and if the first deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, logging the first deviation.

Abstract: A system includes a brake torque request module, a brake control module, and a diagnostic module. The brake torque request module is configured to generate a brake torque request based on a brake pedal position during a braking event. The brake control module is configured to apply friction brakes on a wheelset of a vehicle to satisfy the brake torque request during the braking event. The wheelset includes less than all wheels of the vehicle. The diagnostic module is configured to detect a fault in a brake rotor on a wheel in the wheelset based on vehicle operating conditions measured during the braking event.

Abstract: A braking system includes brake rotors, wheel speed sensors, and an electronic control unit. The brake rotors are couplable to wheels. The brake rotors have rotor thickness variations that cause a vibration while braking. The wheel speed sensors are couplable to the wheels and configured to generate rotation signals for the wheels. The electronic control unit coupled to the wheel speed sensors and configured to generate an absolute phase offset signal that conveys an absolute phase offset angle between the rotor thickness variations in response to the rotation signals, generate a brake torque adjustment signal in response to the absolute phase offset signal and the rotation signals, and adjust a first braking control signal for a first brake rotor relative to a second braking control signal for a second brake rotor based on the brake torque adjustment signal to minimize an amplitude of the vibration during a braking event.