Abstract: A method for controlling a steer-by-wire system, comprising receiving vehicle data and a steering request from a vehicle, determining whether a steering road wheel actuator of the vehicle has failed using the vehicle data, in response to determining that the steering road wheel actuator of the vehicle has failed, determining a target wheel slip of the vehicle based on the steering request, maintaining the target wheel slip of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion; and adjusting a wheel speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle based on a feedback signal, wherein the feedback signal is indicative of a road wheel angle while the vehicle is in motion.

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: Methods and systems of controlling a vehicle. The methods and systems include switching to a second processor executed mode in response to determining that a range of perception information extends to a range end point that is closer to the vehicle than a first Look Ahead (LA) point. In the second processor executed mode: a motion planner requests a lateral controller to provide a closer LA point relative to the vehicle. The lateral controller determines the closer LA point and sends the closer LA point to the motion planner. The lateral controller generates control commands for an EPS system based on an error between a desired trajectory and an actual trajectory at the closer LA point. The motion planner generates the desired trajectory based on perception data and the closer LA point.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for evasive steering maneuvers includes a forward object detector configured to detect objects in a driving path of a vehicle, a steering wheel configured to control a steering direction of the vehicle, a vehicle user interface configured to display a visual indication to a driver and generate audio for the driver, and a vehicle control module configured to identify, via the forward object detector, an object in the driving path of the vehicle, determine an estimated time to collision with the object, and in response to the estimated time to collision being less than a specified time threshold, execute at least one of providing a visual indication of a recommended evasive steering maneuver to the driver via the vehicle user interface, generating an audio alert of the recommended evasive steering maneuver, applying steering torque to the steering wheel to indicate the recommended evasive steering maneuver.

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: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for mitigating lane departures, alternatively referred to as lane keeping assistance. One method of assisting vehicle operation involves determining a control trajectory for the vehicle over a prediction horizon that satisfies one or more steering angle constraints for operating a steering system of the vehicle based at least in part on a current steering angle, a first difference between the control trajectory and a reference lateral trajectory for the vehicle and a second difference between the control trajectory and a lane boundary, for example, by minimizing a weighted sum of the differences. The method continues by determining a steering angle command for the vehicle based at least in part on the control trajectory and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the steering angle command prior to the vehicle crossing the lane boundary.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of a vehicle. The system includes a controller in operable communication with the DMS of the vehicle. The controller is configured to, by a processor: receive a signal from the DMS that a camera of the DMS is unable to monitor a driver of the vehicle, determine a cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver, and adjust an escalation algorithm of the DMS based on the determined cause of the camera being unable to monitor the driver. The escalation algorithm is configured to perform actions based on activity of the driver.

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 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.

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: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling steering of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: operating, by a processor, the autonomous vehicle in a semi-automated mode; receiving, by the processor, driver input including a measured driver torque; receiving, by the processor, threat data; determining, by the processor, a steering command bias based on an impedance relation, impedance parameters, the measured driver torque, and the threat data; determining, by the processor, a reference angle based on the steering command bias and a desired angle; and generating, by the processor, control data to control the steering of the autonomous vehicle based on the reference angle.

Abstract: A method for probabilistic autonomous vehicle control includes receiving a plurality of unfiltered sensor signals from a sensor system of a vehicle and determining, in real time, a failure probability of the sensor system using the unfiltered sensor signals. The method further includes determining a failure probability of a plurality of estimation signals at each time step using the failure probability of the sensor system and determining a failure probability of a plurality of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) subfunction commands using the failure probability of the plurality of estimation signals at each time step. Further, the method includes determining remedial actions for the plurality of ADAS subfunction commands based on the failure probability of the plurality of ADAS subfunction commands.

Abstract: A method in a vehicle, includes: providing, via an HMI, a request to be followed indication responsive to receipt of a request to be followed from a following vehicle; providing, via the HMI, a request to enter a tether operating mode; entering the tether operating mode and selecting a tether goal between the lead vehicle and the following vehicle; providing, via the HMI, a tether mode indication that indicates that the lead vehicle is in the tether operating mode; monitoring a headway between the lead vehicle and following vehicle; adjusting a preplanned trajectory calculated by a driver assistance system to facilitate the following vehicle obtaining and maintaining the tether goal; modifying driver assistance system operation based on a level at which the headway is greater than the tether goal; and generating control signals for vehicle actuators to control the lead vehicle to facilitate the following vehicle maintaining the tether goal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle are provided. The systems and methods provide a vehicle dynamics model that relates at least one input vehicle dynamics variable to at least one output vehicle dynamics variable. The systems and methods detect a crosswind impacting the vehicle by detecting a disturbance associated with the vehicle dynamics model caused by the crosswind and adapt control of the vehicle based on the detecting the crosswind impacting the vehicle.

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 of controlling a vehicle. The methods and systems include switching to a second processor executed mode in response to determining that a range of perception information extends to a range end point that is closer to the vehicle than a first Look Ahead (LA) point. In the second processor executed mode: a motion planner requests a lateral controller to provide a closer LA point relative to the vehicle. The lateral controller determines the closer LA point and sends the closer LA point to the motion planner. The lateral controller generates control commands for an EPS system based on an error between a desired trajectory and an actual trajectory at the closer LA point. The motion planner generates the desired trajectory based on perception data and the closer LA point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing transitions between operational modes of a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to, by a processor: automatically transition between vehicular operational modes without initiation by the driver including a hands-off autonomous driving mode in which the processor controls lateral steering of the vehicle, a hands-on driving assistance mode in which the processor controls the lateral steering of the vehicle while the driver is holding the steering wheel, and a no control mode in which the driver controls the lateral steering of the vehicle. The transition between the operational modes is based on sensed data. The hands-off autonomous driving mode is prioritized over the hands-on driving assistance mode which is prioritized over the no control mode. The controller is further configured to display on a human-machine-interface a notification indicating that at least one of the operational modes is active or not available.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling steering of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: operating, by a processor, the autonomous vehicle in a path-based automated driving assist mode; receiving, by the processor, driver input including a driver torque; classifying, by the processor, an operation mode based on a type of the path-based automated driving assist mode; determining, by the processor, an override threshold for overriding the path-based automated driving assist mode on a first lateral side of the autonomous vehicle based on the operation mode; determining, by the processor, a driver override status based on the override torque threshold; and generating, by the processor, control signals to control the steering of the autonomous vehicle based on the driver override status and the driver torque.