Abstract: A system for controlling autonomously-controllable vehicle functions of an autonomous vehicle cooperating with partner subjects includes a database device with information on communication signals from partner subjects, action objectives, and scenarios, and has an autonomous vehicle with autonomously controllable vehicle functions communicatively connected to the database device. The autonomous vehicle includes a control device with a programmable unit and a surround sensor device. The control device receives sensor signals acquired by the surround sensor device of a surrounding area of the vehicle and communication signals originating from at least one partner subject. The control device determines a situation context based on the database information, and converts the captured communication signals into control signals for the autonomously controllable vehicle functions based on the situation context.

Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.

Abstract: A system for controlling autonomously-controllable vehicle functions of an autonomous vehicle cooperating with partner subjects includes a database device with information on communication signals from partner subjects, action objectives, and scenarios, and has an autonomous vehicle with autonomously controllable vehicle functions communicatively connected to the database device. The autonomous vehicle includes a control device with a programmable unit and a surround sensor device. The control device receives sensor signals acquired by the surround sensor device of a surrounding area of the vehicle and communication signals originating from at least one partner subject. The control device determines a situation context based on the database information, and converts the captured communication signals into control signals for the autonomously controllable vehicle functions based on the situation context.

Abstract: A method for training an autonomous vehicle to reach a target location. The method includes detecting the state of an autonomous vehicle in a simulated environment, and using a neural network to navigate the vehicle from an initial location to a target destination. During the training phase, a second neural network may reward the first neural network for a desired action taken by the autonomous vehicle, and may penalize the first neural network for an undesired action taken by the autonomous vehicle. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A trailer detection system for a vehicle includes a radar system outputting object point location data to a rear of the vehicle and a controller. The controller receives the object point location data and determines a position of an edge of the trailer relative to the vehicle by processing the object point location data from the radar system at a reduced threshold relative to use of the data in detecting a vehicle and filters out object point location data not correlated with the edge of the trailer based on object point location data persistence during driving of the vehicle. The controller further correlates the determined position of the edge of the trailer relative to the vehicle to determine an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle about a coupling point.

Abstract: A method for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, as well as suspension systems, and a vehicle including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system may include at least one adjustable damping device that is controlled via a control signal, such as from a controller of the suspension system, in order to dynamically adjust the damping characteristic of the damping device. The control signal may be generated on the basis of at least one of current driving dynamics data and optically recorded information about an area of a ground surface.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine that travel data, reflecting previous travel, exists for an upcoming route segment. The processor is also configured to derive a fuel-efficient control strategy for the upcoming segment, based on fuel efficient behavior reflected in the travel data. The processor is further configured to execute the control strategy in a vehicle while the vehicle travels over the route segment to instruct vehicle control in accordance with the control strategy for at least a portion of the segment.

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: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a multi-drone automotive system that includes a first drone configured to carry one or more detachable drones. The first drone, which may be referred to as a carrier drone, may be mounted upon an automobile and operated in a tethered mode of flight. The detachable drones may be launched from the carrier drone to carry out untethered flight. The carrier drone and/or the detachable drones may be used for various applications. In one example application, the carrier drone may use a first camera that is mounted upon the carrier drone, to capture a first set of images during the tethered mode of flight. A detachable drone may be launched from the carrier drone in an untethered mode of flight in order to capture a second set of images by using a second camera mounted upon the detachable drone.

Abstract: A trailer detection system for a vehicle includes a radar system outputting object point location data to a rear of the vehicle and a controller. The controller receives the object point location data and determines a position of an edge of the trailer relative to the vehicle by processing the object point location data from the radar system at a reduced threshold relative to use of the data in detecting a vehicle and filters out object point location data not correlated with the edge of the trailer based on object point location data persistence during driving of the vehicle. The controller further correlates the determined position of the edge of the trailer relative to the vehicle to determine an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle about a coupling point.

Abstract: A computer, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to simulate behavior of a vehicle suspension component based on sampling a geometry space including vehicle suspension component hard-points using Gaussian process modeling and determine one or more vehicle suspension component geometries including vehicle suspension component hard-points based on first kinematic curves corresponding to behavior of the vehicle suspension component.

Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle. The system including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.

Abstract: A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.

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: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a multi-drone automotive system that includes a first drone configured to carry one or more detachable drones. The first drone, which may be referred to as a carrier drone, may be mounted upon an automobile and operated in a tethered mode of flight. The detachable drones may be launched from the carrier drone to carry out untethered flight. The carrier drone and/or the detachable drones may be used for various applications. In one example application, the carrier drone may use a first camera that is mounted upon the carrier drone, to capture a first set of images during the tethered mode of flight. A detachable drone may be launched from the carrier drone in an untethered mode of flight in order to capture a second set of images by using a second camera mounted upon the detachable drone.

Abstract: A controller for an autonomous vehicle detects movement of a bezel on a smartwatch or other wearable device with wireless communication capabilities. A driver initiates a parking maneuver. The controller executes the parking maneuver only so long as movement of the bezel is detected in order to ensure that the driver is present and engaged. If movement of the bezel ceases, the controller will pause the parking maneuver. In some embodiments, direction of rotation of the bezel will determine whether the vehicle moves forward or in reverse in to a parking spot.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to vehicle odometry using one or more radars disposed on a vehicle are described. A method for radar odometry may involve receiving, by a processor from the radars, measurement data of stationary objects and moving objects that are located in an environment a vehicle is traversing. The method may also involve performing, by the processor, a random sample consensus (RANSAC) calculation to select the measurement data of the stationary objects and disregard the measurement data of the moving objects. The method may also involve calculating, by the processor, one or more dynamic variables of the vehicle based on the measurement data of the stationary objects. The proposed method processes the measurement data of the stationary objects with one single RANSAC calculation and one least squares problem solving, thereby greatly reducing computation cost and time as well as latency in operation for providing the vehicle odometry.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine that travel data, reflecting previous travel, exists for an upcoming route segment. The processor is also configured to derive a fuel-efficient control strategy for the upcoming segment, based on fuel efficient behavior reflected in the travel data. The processor is further configured to execute the control strategy in a vehicle while the vehicle travels over the route segment to instruct vehicle control in accordance with the control strategy for at least a portion of the segment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, as well as suspension systems, and a vehicle including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system may include at least one adjustable damping device that is controlled via a control signal, such as from a controller of the suspension system, in order to dynamically adjust the damping characteristic of the damping device. The control signal may be generated on the basis of at least one of current driving dynamics data and optically recorded information about an area of a ground surface.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to vehicle odometry using one or more radars disposed on a vehicle are described. A method for radar odometry may involve receiving, by a processor from the radars, measurement data of stationary objects and moving objects that are located in an environment a vehicle is traversing. The method may also involve performing, by the processor, a random sample consensus (RANSAC) calculation to select the measurement data of the stationary objects and disregard the measurement data of the moving objects. The method may also involve calculating, by the processor, one or more dynamic variables of the vehicle based on the measurement data of the stationary objects. The proposed method processes the measurement data of the stationary objects with one single RANSAC calculation and one least squares problem solving, thereby greatly reducing computation cost and time as well as latency in operation for providing the vehicle odometry.