Abstract: A vehicle surroundings sensor module on board a vehicle is connected to a one vehicle surroundings sensor and is configured, in a calibration mode, to progressively transmit vehicle surroundings sensor data captured by the vehicle surroundings sensor via a wireless communication interface to a calibration server when the vehicle is moved through a calibration area, which comprises at least one section of a production line, at least one stationary surroundings sensor, which is configured to capture surroundings sensor data of a set of reference objects in the calibration area and to transmit these data to the calibration server, and at least one stationary position sensor, which is configured, during the movement of the vehicle through the calibration area, to progressively capture a position of the vehicle and transmit vehicle position data to the calibration server.

Abstract: Operating a vehicle which has an established level of automation includes: starting an online navigation system with a level of automation which is higher than the level of automation of the vehicle; ascertaining, retrieving, and displaying available geographic zones in which navigation with a higher level of automation is available; if the vehicle is located in an ascertained geographic zone in which navigation with the higher level of automation is available, activating the online navigation system having a higher level of automation; starting navigation of the vehicle with a higher level of automation, wherein data of the online navigation system are used.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for operating thereof. The vehicle comprises a control device, a communication device, and a sensor device. Environmental data are acquired by the sensor device. A communication signal from a mobile device of a user of the vehicle located outside the vehicle is received by the communication device. An object position and/or an object trajectory of one object arranged in the environment of the vehicle is determined. A user location and/or a user trajectory of the user of the vehicle located outside the vehicle are determined. AN expected distance change between the one object position and/or object trajectory and the user location and/or the user trajectory is determined by the control device. The outputting of an alert signal is triggered by the control device if one expected distance change is such that a distance between the one object and the user falls below a threshold value.

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: While a vehicle is operated from a first area to a second area based on a stored route, one or more turning regions are identified along the stored route based on sensor data. Upon selecting one turning region, a route is determined from the second area to the first area via the selected turning region based on the stored route. Upon receiving a message from a handheld device, the vehicle is actuated to operate along the route and turn around in the selected turning region.

Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.

Abstract: A method for operating a self-driving motor vehicle includes changing from a self-driving mode into a manual-driving mode, monitoring a footwell of the motor vehicle with a gesture recognition device, and checking whether at least one specified gesture is present.

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: While a vehicle is operated from a first area to a second area based on a stored route, one or more turning regions are identified along the stored route based on sensor data. Upon selecting one turning region, a route is determined from the second area to the first area via the selected turning region based on the stored route. Upon receiving a message from a handheld device, the vehicle is actuated to operate along the route and turn around in the selected turning region.

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: A method for operating a self-driving motor vehicle includes changing from a self-driving mode into a manual-driving mode, monitoring a footwell of the motor vehicle with a gesture recognition device, and checking whether at least one specified gesture is present.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.

Abstract: Activation of a passive occupant protection system is detected by at least one sensor. Signals indicative of the detection are sent over a communications connection to a telematic unit of the vehicle. Responsive to successful detection of the activation of the occupant protection system, the telematic unit initiates a launch of an accompanying autonomous drone from the vehicle for providing information, the drone autonomously recording aerial images of the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle using a camera. The aerial images are transmitted to an emergency control center via a mobile communications connection to the emergency control center established by the telematic unit.

Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.

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.