Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment a vehicle management and control system can comprise a main computer (200) that can be operatively connected to a plurality of vehicle systems and subsystems, a main operating system (202), a memory (which can be part of the computer), and a memory controller in the form of a master control framework (204). The vehicle management and control system controls the operation of the vehicle by managing all communication between vehicle systems and subsystems, making major decisions on behalf of, and issuing commands to relevant vehicle systems and subsystems based on the import and feedback information it receives from those systems and subsystems. Consequently, the burden of major decision making and inter-system communication is taken off each individual system and subsystem. This allows the construction of each vehicle system and subsystem to be greatly simplified, resulting in an overall reduction of vehicle complexity.

Abstract: One embodiment of a vehicle management and control system having a main computer (200) installed with a main operating system (202) and a master control framework (204). The vehicle management and control system is capable of managing and controlling all or most of a vehicle's functions through the vehicle's systems and subsystems. Consequently, this could remove the need for complex embedded systems in vehicles and/or allow such embedded systems to be substituted by more simplified versions and/or greatly reduce the number of embedded systems and their responsibilities. The vehicle management and control system also employs hardware, software and communications protocols that are compatible with the general computer industry. Other embodiments are described and shown.