Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system is provided that includes a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array is configured to generate vehicle sensor data pertaining to a target vehicle in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor array, and is configured to at least facilitate: beginning an overtake maneuver for the vehicle, via instructions provided to the drive system, when conditions for an overtake of the target vehicle by the vehicle are initially determined by the processor to be valid; subsequent to the beginning of the overtake maneuver, determining via the processor whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid, based on updated sensor data reflecting variant traffic conditions; and further controlling the overtake maneuver based on the determining as to whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling automatic overtake functionality for a host vehicle. In on such exemplary embodiment, a disclosed method includes: (i) obtaining, via a plurality of sensors, sensor data pertaining to the host vehicle and a roadway on which the host vehicle is traveling; (ii) determining, via a processor, when an automatic overtake is recommended, using the sensor data in conjunction with one or more threshold values; (iii) receiving driver inputs pertaining to the automatic overtake; and (iv) adjusting, via the processor, the one or more threshold values for the automatic overtake based on the driver inputs.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves determining a current value for a range of view associated with a sensing device onboard the vehicle, determining a target value for the range of view based at least in part on a speed of the vehicle, and in response to determining the current value is less than the target value, determining a dropback adjustment distance based at least in part on a difference between target value for the range of view and an estimated distance to a closest in path (CIP) vehicle ahead of the vehicle within a current lane of travel, determining a longitudinal trajectory for the vehicle based at least in part on the dropback adjustment distance, and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the longitudinal trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing automated lane change (ALC) operations. A mission planner, upon receipt of an ALC request, sends a ALC heads up signal to a lateral control. The mission planner then begins confidence building operations, for a preprogrammed duration of time, and awaits an ALC ready signal from the lateral control. The lateral control, upon receipt of the ALC heads up, calculates an index of readiness, RALC, as a function of the requested ALC, a current trajectory, and a lane centering control path. When RALC is less than or equal to a readiness threshold, Rt, the lateral control sends the ALC ready signal. When RALC is greater than Rt, the lateral control generates a steering correction and applies the steering correction to reduce the RALC and thereby stabilize the vehicle and send the ALC ready signal. Upon receiving the ALC ready signal, the ALC operation is executed.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system is provided that includes a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array is configured to generate vehicle sensor data pertaining to a target vehicle in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor array, and is configured to at least facilitate: beginning an overtake maneuver for the vehicle, via instructions provided to the drive system, when conditions for an overtake of the target vehicle by the vehicle are initially determined by the processor to be valid; subsequent to the beginning of the overtake maneuver, determining via the processor whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid, based on updated sensor data reflecting variant traffic conditions; and further controlling the overtake maneuver based on the determining as to whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to prevent a boxed-in driving situation, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to detect a preventable box-in driving situation; and, based on the detection of the preventable box-in driving situation, adjust a location of a trigger threshold along a vehicle path.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.

Abstract: A method of initializing an automatic lane change in a moving primary automobile, including categorizing, via a controller within the primary automobile, a moving automobile that is in front of the primary automobile as a target automobile, categorizing, via the controller within the primary automobile, an object in front of both the primary automobile and the target automobile as one of a low confidence object and a high confidence object, initializing, via the controller within the primary automobile, the automatic lane change for the primary automobile when the object is categorized as a high confidence object, and initializing, via the controller within the primary automobile, the automatic lane change for the primary automobile when the object is categorized as a low confidence object and a lane change of the target automobile is detected by at least one of a plurality of sensors within the automobile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing automated lane change (ALC) operations. A mission planner, upon receipt of an ALC request, sends a ALC heads up signal to a lateral control. The mission planner then begins confidence building operations, for a preprogrammed duration of time, and awaits an ALC ready signal from the lateral control. The lateral control, upon receipt of the ALC heads up, calculates an index of readiness, RALC, as a function of the requested ALC, a current trajectory, and a lane centering control path. When RALC is less than or equal to a readiness threshold, Rt, the lateral control sends the ALC ready signal. When RALC is greater than Rt, the lateral control generates a steering correction and applies the steering correction to reduce the RALC and thereby stabilize the vehicle and send the ALC ready signal. Upon receiving the ALC ready signal, the ALC operation is executed.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling automatic overtake functionality for a host vehicle. In on such exemplary embodiment, a disclosed method includes: (i) obtaining, via a plurality of sensors, sensor data pertaining to the host vehicle and a roadway on which the host vehicle is traveling; (ii) determining, via a processor, when an automatic overtake is recommended, using the sensor data in conjunction with one or more threshold values; (iii) receiving driver inputs pertaining to the automatic overtake; and (iv) adjusting, via the processor, the one or more threshold values for the automatic overtake based on the driver inputs.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and a system and method of operating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The processor determines an effective observation area of the sensor, the effective observation area being affected by an extrinsic condition. The processor determines an available time for performing a lane change based on the effective observation area and performs the lane change based on the available time.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to prevent a boxed-in driving situation, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to detect a preventable box-in driving situation; and, based on the detection of the preventable box-in driving situation, adjust a location of a trigger threshold along a vehicle path.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an ADAS equipped vehicle including a sensor configured for determining a first distance to a first proximate vehicle and a second distance to a second proximate vehicle, a user input operative to receive a user preference, a memory operative to store a map data, a processor operative to generate a current lane score and an adjacent lane score in response to the first distance, the second distance, the user preference, and the map data, the processor being further operative to generate a lane change control signal in response to the adjacent lane score exceeding the current lane score and a vehicle controller operative to perform a lane change operation from a current lane to an adjacent lane in response to the lane change control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sensor for detecting a first acceleration of a target vehicle at a first time and a second acceleration of the target vehicle at a second time, a processor operative to calculate an increased distance in response to the first acceleration and the second acceleration exceeding an acceleration threshold, the processor further operative to generate a control signal indicative of the increased distance, and a vehicle controller for controlling a vehicle throttle controller and a vehicle steering controller to maintain an initial distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle and to maintain the increased distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle in response to the control signal.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus including a sensor for detecting a first acceleration of a target vehicle at a first time and a second acceleration of the target vehicle at a second time, a processor operative to calculate an increased distance in response to the first acceleration and the second acceleration exceeding an acceleration threshold, the processor further operative to generate a control signal indicative of the increased distance, and a vehicle controller for controlling a vehicle throttle controller and a vehicle steering controller to maintain an initial distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle and to maintain the increased distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that adjust a field of view of a sensor are provided. The method includes detecting at least one target object in an effective field of view of the sensor, determining an area corresponding to the effective field of view of the sensor, determining whether a critical zone is within the effective field of view based on the determined area of the effective field of view, parameters corresponding to the at least one target object, and parameters corresponding to the host vehicle, and moving the host vehicle within its lane of travel to adjust the effective field of view to capture the critical zone in response to determining that the critical zone is not within the effective field of view.

Abstract: A method of determining processor utilization includes: counting, via a first counter on a processor, a number of elapsed clock cycles while code is being executed; counting, via a second counter on a processor, a total number of free-running clock cycles; and dividing the number of clock cycles where code is being executed by the total number of free-running clock cycles to determine a CPU utilization.