Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to both a driver of a vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle; and a processor that is coupled to the one or more sensors and that is configured to at least facilitate determining, using the sensor data, when the driver is incapacitated; determining, using the sensor data, when a threat is detected for the vehicle; and taking action to avoid the threat when the driver is incapacitated and the threat is detected, via instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining and mitigating vehicle pull force from passing other vehicles. In an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided that include: obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of a vehicle, the sensor data including both perception sensor data and vehicle dynamics sensor data; identifying, via a processor, one or more additional vehicles to be passed by the vehicle, using the perception sensor data; and predicting and determining, via the processor, a pull force for the vehicle that is caused by the passing of the vehicle by the one or more additional vehicles along with an impact of the pull force on the vehicle, based on both the perception sensor data and the vehicle dynamics sensor data, and control the vehicle to proactively mitigate the pull force on the vehicle; and vehicle with trailer when towing.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a control module configured to receive data from a sensor indicative of a torque applied to the steering wheel, calculate a torque rate based on the applied torque, calculate a left evasive steering probability of the driver intending to steer the vehicle to the left and a right evasive steering probability of the driver intending to steer the vehicle to the right based on the torque, the torque rate, and a modeled relationship between the torque and the torque rate, compare the left evasive steering probability and the right evasive steering probability to determine a directional steering intent of the driver, and transmit a signal to a threat avoidance steering control module for controlling the vehicle. Other example vehicle systems and methods for predicting driver intent in evasive steering maneuvers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Automated driver assistance systems and methods for towing predict vehicle/trailer instabilities and adapt automated driving control to avoid them. A tow-vehicle includes a controller that, through an actuator system, controls speed and/or steering. A map system and/or a sensor system monitor a roadway on which the vehicle is travelling to identify a road profile located ahead of the vehicle over a prediction horizon. A projected trajectory for navigating the vehicle through the road profile over the prediction horizon and considering environmental conditions is determined. Before travel over the road profile, whether the projected trajectory through the road profile will result in exceeding a vehicle dynamic threshold is determined. When the projected trajectory will result in exceeding the vehicle dynamic threshold through the road profile, a control action is determined to prevent instability and optimize driver experience. The vehicle is operated through the road profile using the control action.

Abstract: A method controlling a vehicle includes detecting that an object is along a path of the vehicle and within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, in response to detecting the object that is along the path of the vehicle and within the predetermined distance from the vehicle, determining, in real time, a coefficient of friction between a road and a tire of the vehicle, and in respond to determining the coefficient of friction between the road and the tire of the vehicle, commanding the vehicle to perform a control action.

Abstract: A method for controlling automated vehicle acceleration and braking includes detecting, via at least one vehicle object sensor of a host vehicle, a closest-in-path (CIP) target vehicle ahead of the host vehicle, obtaining a path history of the CIP target vehicle, the path history including multiple historic positions of the CIP target vehicle at specified time intervals, obtaining a path history of the host vehicle, the path history of the host vehicle including multiple historic positions of the host vehicle at the specified time intervals, comparing the path history of the CIP target vehicle to the path history of the host vehicle to determine a divergence index, and in response to the divergence index being less than a specified divergence threshold, controlling automated acceleration and braking of the host vehicle based at least in part on tracked movement of the CIP target vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a trailer control module configured to control actuation of actuators of the trailer and a vehicle control module in communication with the trailer control module. The vehicle control module is configured to control actuation of actuators in the vehicle, determine an energy parameter associated with the vehicle when the trailer control module controls actuation of the actuators in the trailer based on an initial trailer condition, determine an actuation force when the trailer control module controls actuation of the actuators in the trailer based on the initial trailer condition, and generate a control signal for the trailer control module based on the actuation force to control actuation of the actuators of the trailer hitched to the vehicle. Other example vehicle systems and methods for vehicles towing trailers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for driving behavior vehicle detection includes at least one vehicle object detector configured to detect motion of target vehicles within an object detection range of a host vehicle, a vehicle user interface configured to display a visual indication to a driver of the host vehicle, and a vehicle control module configured to obtain detected motion parameters of the one or more target vehicles via the at least one vehicle object detector, determine a hazard index for each of the one or more target vehicles, according to the detected motion parameters, and in response to the hazard index exceeding a specified threshold value for at least one of the one or more vehicles, update the vehicle user interface to provide a visual notification of identified driving behavior exceeding the specified threshold value for the at least one of the one or more target vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle comprising an Electric Power Steering System (EPS). In an embodiment, a method includes learning, by a processor, a non-linearity of a boost factor associated with the EPS; determining, by the processor, a deboost factor based on an inverse relationship of the learned non-linearity of the boost factor associated with the EPS; and generating, by the processor, a steering command to the EPS based on the deboost factor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle comprising an Electric Power Steering System (EPS). In an embodiment, a method includes determining, by the processor, a lateral acceleration reference based on reference path data and vehicle dynamics data; determining, by the processor, coefficient data based on at least one of measured lateral acceleration data and measured steering angle data, and measured torque data; determining, by the processor, a torque command based on the coefficient and the reference lateral acceleration data; and generating, by the processor, a steering command to the EPS based on the torque command.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a sensor for detecting a vehicle performance characteristic, and a processor for determining a severity of a vehicle system fault in response to the vehicle performance characteristic. The processor determines a safe disable location in response to the vehicle system fault. The processor generates a disable delay request indicative of the safe disable location and the vehicle performance characteristic. A vehicle controller controls a vehicle to proceed to the safe disable location in response to the disable delay request.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle; estimating, by a processor, a steering torque value based on the sensor data; estimating, by the processor, a steering angle value based on the sensor data; determining, by the processor, a trailer tongue value based on the steering torque value and the steering angle value; and generating, by the processor, a control signal to control the vehicle based on the trailer tongue value.

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 for providing driving assistance in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, vehicle data from a sensor system of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, a path of the vehicle based on the steering data; expanding, by the processor, the path of the vehicle to a path area based on probabilistic uncertainty bound prediction; determining, by the processor, a target object based on the path area and object data that identifies objects within the environment of the vehicle; and generating, by the processor, control signals to vehicle actuators to control the vehicle based on the target object.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for predicting a future maneuver expected to be executed by a driver. One method involves determining a combined probability for a potential maneuver based on constituent probabilities corresponding to different vehicle state variables, and environmental conditions using one or more tuning parameters specific to the respective combination of maneuver and vehicle state variable, determining an adjusted probability for the potential maneuver based at least in part on the combined probability and one or more contextual state variables corresponding to a current operating context for the vehicle, adapted to driver behavior and driving style, identifying the potential maneuver as an expected maneuver to be executed by a driver of the vehicle based on the adjusted probability, and automatically initiating one or more actions in a manner that is influenced by the expected maneuver.

Abstract: A method for lane centering control of a host vehicle that is towing a trailer includes: determining in real time, by a controller of the host vehicle, a radius of curvature of a turn, wherein the host vehicle is approaching the turn; determining, by the controller, a trailer required offset based on the radius of the curvature of the turn to maintain the host vehicle and the trailer in a lane while the host vehicle and the trailer move along the turn; and controlling the host vehicle using the trailer offset to maintain the host vehicle and the trailer in a lane while the host vehicle and the trailer move along the turn. The method also allows the host vehicle to avoid encroaching vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: initiating, by a processor, steering excitation according to a pattern while the vehicle is stationary; learning, by the processor, a load associated with a front axle of the vehicle based on the steering excitation; translating, by the processor, the load associated with the front axle of the vehicle to a load associated with a tongue of a trailer, and generating, by the processor, a trailer tongue load value based on the load associated with the tongue of the trailer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to both a driver of a vehicle and an environment surrounding the vehicle; and a processor that is coupled to the one or more sensors and that is configured to at least facilitate determining, using the sensor data, when the driver is incapacitated; determining, using the sensor data, when a threat is detected for the vehicle; and taking action to avoid the threat when the driver is incapacitated and the threat is detected, via instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: A system and method for a vehicle control adaptation to a crosswind and a wind gust including a controller situated within a vehicle to receive wind data inputs. The wind data inputs are based on a location of the vehicle and include a sustained wind velocity, a sustained wind direction, and a wind gust level. The controller further receives vehicle measurement data from one or more sensors situated within the vehicle and determines a wind impact on the vehicle based on the wind data inputs and the vehicle measurement data. The controller further compensates for the wind impact by a feedforward control in response to a low bandwidth component of the wind data inputs and by a feedback control in response to a high bandwidth component of the wind data inputs. The controller generates a feedback and/or a control based on the wind impact.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle control adaptation to external environmental conditions includes receiving, by a controller, weather and roadway condition data, from an external source. The weather and roadway condition data includes a sustained wind velocity, a sustained wind direction, and a wind gust level for a location of the vehicle. The controller receives vehicle measurement data from one or more sensors situated within the vehicle and determines a criticality of a wind impact on the vehicle based on the weather and roadway data and the vehicle measurement data. The controller than generates feedback and/or a control based on the criticality of the wind impact.