Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a lane centering feature is active in the vehicle; identifying, by the processor, a pattern of steering wheel torque; determining, by the processor, a driver requested offset based on a location of the vehicle and a location of a center of the lane; applying, by the processor, the driver requested offset to a planned trajectory of the vehicle; evaluating, by the processor, one or more duration conditions; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generating, by the processor, a control signal based on the planned trajectory with the driver requested offset.

Abstract: A method of automated vehicle braking control includes detecting a first object threat in a reverse travel path of a vehicle, monitoring a distance of the vehicle from the first object threat with respect to a time to collision threshold, and in response to a determination that the vehicle is crossing the time to collision threshold, initiating a first rear virtual bumper event by automatically applying brakes of the vehicle. The method includes storing a location of the first object threat, defining a boundary region surrounding the location of the first object threat, detecting a second object threat in the reverse travel path, comparing a location of the second object threat with the boundary region, and inhibiting automatic application of the brakes in response to a determination that the location of the second object threat is within the boundary region, to avoid a second rear virtual bumper event.

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 for providing driving assistance in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, a trajectory of the vehicle along a roadway; determining, by the processor, a confidence score based on a predicted lateral acceleration and an actual lateral acceleration at a point along the trajectory; determining, by the processor, longitudinal velocity data based on the confidence score; and generating, by the processor, control signals to vehicle actuators to control the vehicle based on the longitudinal velocity data.

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: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves identifying one or more avoidance zones in a vicinity of the vehicle, determining a deadline for completing a lateral maneuver to avoid a priority avoidance zone of the one or more avoidance zones, obtaining an initial reference lateral trajectory for the lateral maneuver based at least in part on the deadline, autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the initial reference lateral trajectory, and thereafter obtaining one or more updated reference lateral trajectories for the vehicle, wherein the one or more actuators onboard the vehicle are autonomously operated in accordance with the one or more updated reference lateral trajectories in lieu of the initial reference lateral trajectory.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a lane centering feature is active in the vehicle; identifying, by the processor, a pattern of steering wheel torque; determining, by the processor, a driver requested offset based on a location of the vehicle and a location of a center of the lane; applying, by the processor, the driver requested offset to a planned trajectory of the vehicle; evaluating, by the processor, one or more duration conditions; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generating, by the processor, a control signal based on the planned trajectory with the driver requested offset.

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: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves identifying one or more avoidance zones in a vicinity of the vehicle, determining a deadline for completing a lateral maneuver to avoid a priority avoidance zone of the one or more avoidance zones, obtaining an initial reference lateral trajectory for the lateral maneuver based at least in part on the deadline, autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the initial reference lateral trajectory, and thereafter obtaining one or more updated reference lateral trajectories for the vehicle, wherein the one or more actuators onboard the vehicle are autonomously operated in accordance with the one or more updated reference lateral trajectories in lieu of the initial reference lateral trajectory.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for implementing a lane-keeping assist unit of a vehicle by receiving information of a plurality of road geometries, and driving scenarios wherein at least one driving scenario is combined with a target path that is parallel and biased from a lane center by a desired path offset, and a reference path for guiding the vehicle to merge with the target path; adapting the reference path with control based on a selected road geometry and driving scenario; adjusting the desired path offset by considering lane markings during an intervention for an inner curve, an outer curve and a straight road; controlling the vehicle trajectory for enabling the vehicle to track the reference path; exiting the intervention once a trajectory tracking performance by the vehicle is confirmed; and aborting once an instability of the trajectory tracking performance is confirmed.

Abstract: A method is provided for autonomously operating a vehicle. The method includes receiving vehicle state and vehicle environment data; determining that a vehicle position is not in a position for autonomous mode based on vehicle state and vehicle environment data, wherein the position is associated with a center of one lane of a roadway; enabling a steering assistance torque for a lane-centering operation concurrently within a pre-determined period of time of engagement of the autonomous mode for a vehicular operation; blending the steering assistance torque for assisting in vehicle guidance with a torque applied by the operator for the lane-centering operation with the autonomous mode of vehicular operation engaged; and executing enablement of the autonomous vehicular operation mode with the vehicle positioned within the center of one lane of the roadway as the operator is transitioned from a hands-on to a hands-off control of the vehicle.

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: The present application relates to determining a location of an object in response to a sensor output, generating a first vehicle path in response to the location of the object and a map data, determining an undrivable area within the first vehicle path, generating a waypoint outside of the undrivable area, generating a second vehicle path from a first point on the first vehicle path to the waypoint and a third vehicle path from the waypoint to a second point on the first vehicle path such that the second vehicle path and the third vehicle path are outside of the undrivable area, generating a control signal in response to the second vehicle path, the third vehicle path and and controlling a vehicle in response to the control signal such that the vehicle follows the second vehicle path and the third vehicle path.

Abstract: An automated lane change system for a motor vehicle includes one or more environmental sensors for generating an input signal indicative of a position of an object relative to the motor vehicle, with the object being disposed at a distance from the motor vehicle. The input signal is further indicative of a velocity of the object relative to the motor vehicle. The system further includes a steering wheel sensor generating a gripped signal, in response to a driver gripping a steering wheel. A controller generates an activation signal, in response to the controller receiving the input signal from the environmental sensor and the gripped signal from the steering wheel sensor. An actuator controls the steering wheel, a propulsion mechanism, and a braking mechanism for maneuvering the motor vehicle from a current driving lane to a target driving lane, in response to the actuator receiving the activation signal from the controller.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided. A method for implementing a lane-keeping assist unit of a vehicle by receiving information of a plurality of road geometries, and driving scenarios wherein at least one driving scenario is combined with a target path that is parallel and biased from a lane center by a desired path offset, and a reference path for guiding the vehicle to merge with the target path; adapting the reference path with control based on a selected road geometry and driving scenario; adjusting the desired path offset by considering lane markings during an intervention for an inner curve, an outer curve and a straight road; controlling the vehicle trajectory for enabling the vehicle to track the reference path; exiting the intervention once a trajectory tracking performance by the vehicle is confirmed; and aborting once an instability of the trajectory tracking performance is confirmed.

Abstract: A method to establish a lane-change maneuver, the method includes the steps of calculating a plurality of anchor points along a projected vehicle route and, based on the plurality of anchor points, generating a lane-change maneuver trajectory. The plurality of anchor points can include: a first anchor point based on time, a second anchor point where the vehicle would cross a lane boundary from a host lane to a target lane, and a third anchor point where counter steering torque would be applied to center the vehicle in the target lane.

Abstract: An automated lane change system for a motor vehicle includes one or more environmental sensors for generating an input signal indicative of a position of an object relative to the motor vehicle, with the object being disposed at a distance from the motor vehicle. The input signal is further indicative of a velocity of the object relative to the motor vehicle. The system further includes a steering wheel sensor generating a gripped signal, in response to a driver gripping a steering wheel. A controller generates an activation signal, in response to the controller receiving the input signal from the environmental sensor and the gripped signal from the steering wheel sensor. An actuator controls the steering wheel, a propulsion mechanism, and a braking mechanism for maneuvering the motor vehicle from a current driving lane to a target driving lane, in response to the actuator receiving the activation signal from the controller.

Abstract: A method to establish a lane-change maneuver, the method includes the steps of calculating a plurality of anchor points along a projected vehicle route and, based on the plurality of anchor points, generating a lane-change maneuver trajectory. The plurality of anchor points can include: a first anchor point based on time, a second anchor point where the vehicle would cross a lane boundary from a host lane to a target lane, and a third anchor point where counter steering torque would be applied to center the vehicle in the target lane.

Abstract: The present application relates to determining a location of an object in response to a sensor output, generating a first vehicle path in response to the location of the object and a map data, determining an undrivable area within the first vehicle path, generating a waypoint outside of the undrivable area, generating a second vehicle path from a first point on the first vehicle path to the waypoint and a third vehicle path from the waypoint to a second point on the first vehicle path such that the second vehicle path and the third vehicle path are outside of the undrivable area, generating a control signal in response to the second vehicle path, the third vehicle path and and controlling a vehicle in response to the control signal such that the vehicle follows the second vehicle path and the third vehicle path.