Abstract: A method and system for dynamically configurable remote data collection from a subject vehicle in response to a task-specific data query is described. This includes the subject vehicle, and a second controller that wirelessly communicates with the subject vehicle, wherein the second controller is an off-board controller that is located remote from the subject vehicle. In one embodiment, the off-board controller is an element of a cloud computing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, road features of an upcoming road based on at least one of sensor data and map data; computing, by the processor, a required viewing angle of a sensor based on the road features; computing, by the processor, an operational envelope based on the required viewing angle and a sensor profile, wherein the operational envelope includes points along a map where the sensor can sense; and generating a control signal to disable autonomous control of the vehicle based on the operational envelope.

Abstract: Operation of a vehicle that includes an autonomous operating system including an on-board map database includes operating in a travel lane employing a lane keeping control system and an adaptive cruise control system and monitoring a plurality of lane reference markers. Periodically, parameters are determined, including a first lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a forward-monitoring sensor and one of the lane reference markers, and a second lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a GPS sensor and the map database. A difference and an associated variance are determined, and an error in the map database is determined when the variance is greater than a threshold variance. The vehicle operator is alerted to actively control the vehicle based upon the detected error in the map database.

Abstract: Operation of a vehicle that includes an autonomous operating system including an on-board map database includes operating in a travel lane employing a lane keeping control system and an adaptive cruise control system and monitoring a plurality of lane reference markers. Periodically, parameters are determined, including a first lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a forward-monitoring sensor and one of the lane reference markers, and a second lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a GPS sensor and the map database. A difference and an associated variance are determined, and an error in the map database is determined when the variance is greater than a threshold variance. The vehicle operator is alerted to actively control the vehicle based upon the detected error in the map database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, road features of an upcoming road based on at least one of sensor data and map data; computing, by the processor, a required viewing angle of a sensor based on the road features; computing, by the processor, an operational envelope based on the required viewing angle and a sensor profile, wherein the operational envelope includes points along a map where the sensor can sense; and generating a control signal to disable autonomous control of the vehicle based on the operational envelope.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an energy recovery system that is operable to convert kinetic energy into electric energy at a first voltage. A primary energy storage device is electrically connected to the energy recovery system at the first voltage. A first voltage autonomous driving system load is disposed in a parallel circuit with the energy recovery system and the primary energy storage device. A bi-directional DC-DC converter is electrically connected to the energy recovery system and the primary energy storage device for converting the electric energy between the first voltage and a second voltage. A secondary energy storage device is electrically connected to the bi-directional DC-DC converter at the second voltage. A second voltage autonomous driving system load is disposed in a parallel circuit with the secondary energy storage device.

Abstract: An electric power system includes an energy recovery system that is operable to convert kinetic energy into electric energy at a first voltage. A primary energy storage device is electrically connected to the energy recovery system at the first voltage. A first voltage autonomous driving system load is disposed in a parallel circuit with the energy recovery system and the primary energy storage device. A bi-directional DC-DC converter is electrically connected to the energy recovery system and the primary energy storage device for converting the electric energy between the first voltage and a second voltage. A secondary energy storage device is electrically connected to the bi-directional DC-DC converter at the second voltage. A second voltage autonomous driving system load is disposed in a parallel circuit with the secondary energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for steering a vehicle, for example, during autonomous operation. One exemplary method involves operating a locking system associated with a first set of one or more wheels of the vehicle to lock an angle of the wheel(s) and detecting a steering adjustment condition based on the angle during subsequent operation of the vehicle. In response to the steering adjustment condition, the locking system is operated in an intermediate mode, and then thereafter operated to relock the angle of the wheel(s) based on monitoring the angle of the wheel(s) during operation in the intermediate mode.

Abstract: An autonomous driving system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a location unit configured to determine a current location of the vehicle; a database storing mapping information; and a control unit coupled to the location unit and the database, the control unit configured to selectively generate autonomous driving commands for the current location in view of the mapping information.

Abstract: A method for operating a diagnostic system of a vehicle including a fail operational power system (FOPS) module and a fail operational system (FOS) module includes the FOS module requesting a microcontroller of the FOPS module to generate a diagnostic control signal. The FOS module receives the diagnostic information from a component module of the FOPS module based on the diagnostic control signal generated by the microcontroller. The FOS module executes isolator diagnostics based on the received diagnostic information.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for steering a vehicle, for example, during autonomous operation. One exemplary method involves operating a locking system associated with a first set of one or more wheels of the vehicle to lock an angle of the wheel(s) and detecting a steering adjustment condition based on the angle during subsequent operation of the vehicle. In response to the steering adjustment condition, the locking system is operated in an intermediate mode, and then thereafter operated to relock the angle of the wheel(s) based on monitoring the angle of the wheel(s) during operation in the intermediate mode.

Abstract: An autonomous driving system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a location unit configured to determine a current location of the vehicle; a database storing mapping information; and a control unit coupled to the location unit and the database, the control unit configured to selectively generate autonomous driving commands for the current location in view of the mapping information.

Abstract: Method for operating a fail operational power system for a vehicle includes monitoring voltages on first and second power distribution paths arranged in parallel. Each path includes a respective first or second isolator switch effective when operative in a closed state to power the respective path by a respective energy storage device for supplying electrical power to one or more loads partitioned on each of the paths. A third isolator switch controllably operative between open and closed states is monitored. The closed state of the third isolator switch connects the paths and the open state opens the connection between the paths. When a predetermined operating mode requiring fail operational power is enabled, the third isolator switch is controlled to the open state when at least one of the monitored voltages violates a reference voltage and is controlled to the closed state when neither one of the monitored voltages violate the reference voltage.

Abstract: Method for operating a fail operational power system for a vehicle includes monitoring a first voltage on a first power distribution path and a second voltage on a second power distribution path. An isolator switch controllably operative between open and closed states is monitored. The closed state connects the first and second power distribution paths and the open state opens the connection between the first and second power distribution paths. Each of the monitored first and second voltages is compared to a reference voltage. When a predetermined operating mode requiring fail operational power is enabled, the isolator switch is controlled to the open state when at least one of the monitored first and second voltages violates the reference voltage and the isolator switch is controlled to the closed state when neither one of the monitored first and second voltages violates the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for operating a diagnostic system of a vehicle including a fail operational power system (FOPS) module and a fail operational system (FOS) module includes the FOS module requesting a microcontroller of the FOPS module to generate a diagnostic control signal. The FOS module receives the diagnostic information from a component module of the FOPS module based on the diagnostic control signal generated by the microcontroller. The FOS module executes isolator diagnostics based on the received diagnostic information.

Abstract: Method for operating a fail operational power system for a vehicle includes monitoring voltages on first and second power distribution paths arranged in parallel. Each path includes a respective first or second isolator switch effective when operative in a closed state to power the respective path by a respective energy storage device for supplying electrical power to one or more loads partitioned on each of the paths. A third isolator switch controllably operative between open and closed states is monitored. The closed state of the third isolator switch connects the paths and the open state opens the connection between the paths. When a predetermined operating mode requiring fail operational power is enabled, the third isolator switch is controlled to the open state when at least one of the monitored voltages violates a reference voltage and is controlled to the closed state when neither one of the monitored voltages violate the reference voltage.

Abstract: Method for operating a fail operational power system for a vehicle includes monitoring a first voltage on a first power distribution path and a second voltage on a second power distribution path. An isolator switch controllably operative between open and closed states is monitored. The closed state connects the first and second power distribution paths and the open state opens the connection between the first and second power distribution paths. Each of the monitored first and second voltages is compared to a reference voltage. When a predetermined operating mode requiring fail operational power is enabled, the isolator switch is controlled to the open state when at least one of the monitored first and second voltages violates the reference voltage and the isolator switch is controlled to the closed state when neither one of the monitored first and second voltages violates the reference voltage.