Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle in an automated driving operation involves a main control device determining a driving instruction and providing it to an auxiliary control device. The driving instruction includes information about a course of a path on which the vehicle should be guided into a stopping position, which is determined by a series of path points having a spacing value assigned to each path point. The spacing value corresponds to a spacing of the path point from left or right lane markings. Spacing values are transmitted to the auxiliary control device as digital data having a limited representable value range of the spacing values. The spacing values are reduced by scaling before the transmission to the auxiliary control device, and are calculated back in the auxiliary control device after the transmission if a lane width is greater than the representable value range of the spacing values.

Abstract: In a regular mode of automated driving operation a vehicle is guided to a target position by a main control device and in an emergency mode the vehicle is guided along an intended emergency trajectory into a safe stopping position by an auxiliary control device. The intended emergency trajectory is continuously determined by the main control device in the regular mode and is stored in the auxiliary control device, with a lane course of a lane lying ahead of the vehicle. In the emergency mode, the stored intended emergency operation trajectory is corrected based on the stored lane course and a lane course of the lane of the vehicle continuously determined in the emergency mode. The correction is only undertaken if the continuously determined lane course has previously been evaluated as plausible, the plausibility being checked based on a determined deviation between the stored lane course and the continuously determined lane course.

Abstract: In a regular mode of automated driving operation a vehicle is guided to a target position by a main control device and in an emergency mode the vehicle is guided along an intended emergency trajectory into a safe stopping position by an auxiliary control device. The intended emergency trajectory is continuously determined by the main control device in the regular mode and is stored in the auxiliary control device, with a lane course of a lane lying ahead of the vehicle. In the emergency mode, the stored intended emergency operation trajectory is corrected based on the stored lane course and a lane course of the lane of the vehicle continuously determined in the emergency mode. The correction is only undertaken if the continuously determined lane course has previously been evaluated as plausible, the plausibility being checked based on a determined deviation between the stored lane course and the continuously determined lane course.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle equipped for an automated driving operation. In a regular operating mode of the automated driving operation the vehicle is guided to a target position in an automated manner by a main control device, and in an emergency operating mode of the automated driving operation, it is moved into a safe stopping position in an automated manner by an auxiliary control device. A functional readiness of the auxiliary control device is continuously checked by the main control device. Depending on the checked functional readiness, a decision is made regarding whether a release for the automated driving operation should be granted or withdrawn. The automated driving operation is exclusively activated when the release has been granted, and is deactivated when the release is withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of a vehicle in an automatic driving operation involves, during the automatic driving operation, the vehicle capable of being operated both in a regular operating mode and in an emergency operating mode. When a functional impairment of the regular operating mode is established, a switch from the regular operating mode to the emergency operating mode is carried out. In the emergency operating mode, the vehicle is guided automatically to an emergency stop position. In the emergency operating mode, the vehicle is braked with a deceleration profile which contains three deceleration phases, namely a first deceleration phase with a momentary strong braking, a second deceleration phase with a somewhat longer moderate braking, and a third deceleration phase with a strong braking lasting until the vehicle has come to a standstill or until the vehicle driver of the vehicle takes over a vehicle guidance of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle movement in an automatic driving operation is regulated in an automatic driving operation, which is switchable between a regular operating mode and an emergency operating mode when a functional impairment of a main control device is established. In the regular operating mode, the regular desired trajectory, the emergency operation desired trajectory, and the lane course of a driving lane driven along by the vehicle are continuously determined in a coordinate system, fixed to the vehicle, of the main control device. The determined emergency operation desired trajectory and the determined lane course are supplied to the ancillary control device and stored there. In the emergency operating mode, the lane course of the driving lane driven along by the vehicle is determined in a coordinate system, fixed to the vehicle, of the ancillary control device.

Abstract: A method for operating an assistance system for automated driving operation of a vehicle involves continuously determining an emergency trajectory along which the vehicle is brought to a standstill in a longitudinally and transversely controlled manner after activation of an emergency operation of the vehicle. In the event of an imminent or already initiated lane change of the vehicle from a starting lane to a target lane according to a determined standard trajectory, a decision is made as to whether the vehicle should be brought to a standstill in the starting lane or in the target lane when emergency operation is activated. This decision depends on the position of the vehicle on the standard trajectory.

Abstract: A method for operating an assistance system for automated driving operation of a vehicle involves continuously determining an emergency trajectory along which the vehicle is brought to a standstill in a longitudinally and transversely controlled manner after activation of an emergency operation of the vehicle. In the event of an imminent or already initiated lane change of the vehicle from a starting lane to a target lane according to a determined standard trajectory, a decision is made as to whether the vehicle should be brought to a standstill in the starting lane or in the target lane when emergency operation is activated. This decision depends on the position of the vehicle on the standard trajectory.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of a vehicle in an automatic driving operation involves, during the automatic driving operation, the vehicle capable of being operated both in a regular operating mode and in an emergency operating mode. When a functional impairment of the regular operating mode is established, a switch from the regular operating mode to the emergency operating mode is carried out. In the emergency operating mode, the vehicle is guided automatically to an emergency stop position. In the emergency operating mode, the vehicle is braked with a deceleration profile which contains three deceleration phases, namely a first deceleration phase with a momentary strong braking, a second deceleration phase with a somewhat longer moderate braking, and a third deceleration phase with a strong braking lasting until the vehicle has come to a standstill or until the vehicle driver of the vehicle takes over a vehicle guidance of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle movement in an automatic driving operation is regulated in an automatic driving operation, which is switchable between a regular operating mode and an emergency operating mode when a functional impairment of a main control device is established. In the regular operating mode, the regular desired trajectory, the emergency operation desired trajectory, and the lane course of a driving lane driven along by the vehicle are continuously determined in a coordinate system, fixed to the vehicle, of the main control device. The determined emergency operation desired trajectory and the determined lane course are supplied to the ancillary control device and stored there. In the emergency operating mode, the lane course of the driving lane driven along by the vehicle is determined in a coordinate system, fixed to the vehicle, of the ancillary control device.

Abstract: A method for autonomous operation of a vehicle on a driving route ahead permits autonomous operation of the vehicle is only permitted if one or a group of conditions is/are fulfilled for a predetermined route length of the driving route ahead. The conditions include: there is a structural separation on at least one side of a current travel path of the vehicle; a driving lane of the vehicle has a minimum lane width; there are no humps and dips substantially limiting the range of environmental detection sensors; the number of driving lanes does not change; there are no tunnels; there are no buildings on the travel path; there are no motorway junctions; a radius of curvature of the driving lane of the vehicle is larger than a predetermined limit value; there are no traffic disruptions; there are no traffic reports about dangerous situations; and there are no traffic reports about the presence of roadworks.

Abstract: A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a “high beam” or “partial high beam” light pattern and thereafter the “high beam” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a “motorway” and thereafter a “country road” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a “high beam” or “partial high beam” light pattern and thereafter the “high beam” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a “motorway” and thereafter a “country road” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction.

Abstract: The opening of vehicle doors often leads to collisions with stationary obstacles that are not visible to the occupants or with moving obstacles that approach the vehicle without being noticed. Thus to avoid collisions when vehicle doors are opened, the aim of the invention is to take any modifications to the environmental situation of the vehicle as a result of a movement of the vehicle and the detected objects into consideration. This allows a collision of the vehicle doors with the objects to be reliably avoided. To achieve this, in a first step the probable trajectory of a vehicle is determined. In an additional step, the objects in the vicinity of the vehicle are detected and probable trajectories of said detected objects are determined. Respective probability ranges are then defined both for the vehicle and the pivoting zone of the vehicle doors and for the detected objects.

Abstract: Future vehicle headlamps will provide light functions, such as, for example, town light, country road light, motorway light, full beam, poor weather light, etc. A method and a device is therefore provided with which the light functions of vehicle headlamps are controlled in a reliable manner. The device essentially comprises front headlamps with a dipped headlight and full beam, and at least one variable actuator with which different light functions can be realized. In order to select a light function, the variable actuator is set to a predetermined, fixed position. In this case, it is not possible to select a light function in the region between the dipped headlight and the full beam, there being no means of locking the actuator in the intermediate region between the position of the actuator for the dipped headlight and the position for full beam. Only a light function which is matched to the driving situation and can be selected in a reliable manner is therefore possible.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a rear-end impact warning device, which determines at least the distance to a following vehicle from the backscatter of a signal by means of a surroundings sensor system which is arranged at the rear of the vehicle. The rear-end impact warning device outputs light signals in a situation-dependent flashing mode by means of lights (e.g., brake lights) at the rear in order to provide the traffic behind with a warning of a rear-end impact if a following vehicle approaches to a critical distance. A braking process is sensed by means of a deceleration-sensing means, and a brake flashing mode is predefined if a vehicle approaches to a critical distance and at the same time a braking process is occurring.

Abstract: A method and device for warning a driver of lane departure, wherein a first analyzer is used to detect the vehicle's lane departure based on image data and/or vehicle data and/or driver activity. The driver then receives a warning as a function of the detection by the first analyzer. In addition, a second analyzer for evaluating the driving situation is provided, which either performs the evaluation of the driving situation after the detection and via which the warning is suppressed as a function of the evaluation, or which alternatively performs an evaluation of the driving situation before the detection and via which a detection of lane departure is suppressed as a function of the evaluation.

Abstract: A driver assistance device for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of a risk of departure from the lane or from the lane is described, having at least one image-transmitting sensor, an evaluation device, connected to the image-transmitting sensor, for detecting edge-of-lane and/or lane markings and/or edges of lanes in the area sensed by the image-transmitting sensor, and a warning device which is connected to the evaluation device, in which driver assistance device in addition at least one distance-transmitting sensor is connected to the evaluation device, with which sensor the distance from objects which are elevated with respect to the surface of the lane can be determined in the region of the edge of the lane, in particular of a structural boundary of the edge of the lane.

Abstract: In a vehicle headlight system with a light source (2) and at least one reflector (1) for shaping the light emitted by the light source into a high beam and a low beam, and with a shield (7) adjustable via an actuating element (9) between a position in which the light from the light source (2) is blocked across a maximum cross section and an essentially transmissive position in which this light is substantially allowed to pass through, the actuating element (9) adapted for adjusting the shield (7) in a plurality of intermediate positions between the maximal blocking and the essentially transmissive position in which intermediate position the blocked cross section is less than the maximal cross section.

Abstract: A steering system (1) of a vehicle, having a steering wheel (2) which is connected mechanically to the steerable vehicle wheels (11) via a steering column (3). A superimposition actuator (26) which can be actuated independently of the driver by a control device (25) is provided for generating a superimposition variable (U). A superimposition device (6) superimposes a steering wheel variable (?H) which describes the steering actuation of the steering wheel (2) and the superimposition variable (U) to form an output variable. A steering actuator (19) sets a steering angle (?L) at the steerable vehicle wheels (20) as a function of the output variable. An actuating device (27) is provided which is actuated by the control device (25) in order to generate an actuating device torque (MS) which acts on the steering column.