Abstract: A steering-system for an automated vehicle is provided. The system includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector indicates a height and/or a width of an object approached by a host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle and is in communication with the object-detector. The controller steers the host-vehicle to straddle the object when the height of the object is less than a ground-clearance of the host-vehicle, and/or the width of the object is less than a track-width of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A system for operating an autonomous vehicle includes a passenger-detector and a controller-circuit. The passenger-detector is operable to determine a passenger-count of passengers present in a host-vehicle. The controller-circuit is in communication with the passenger-detector and vehicle-controls of the host-vehicle. The controller-circuit is configured to operate the host-vehicle in an autonomous-mode and in accordance with a parameter. The parameter is set to an empty-value when passenger-count is equal to zero, and the parameter is set to an occupied-value different from the empty-value when the passenger count is greater than zero.

Abstract: A safe-to-proceed system (10) for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection (14) includes an intersection-detector (18), a vehicle-detector (20), and a controller (24). The intersection-detector (18) is suitable for use on a host-vehicle (12). The intersection-detector (18) is used to determine when a host-vehicle (12) is proximate to an intersection (14). The vehicle-detector (20) is also suitable for use on the host-vehicle (12). The vehicle-detector (20) is used to estimate a stopping-distance (22) of an other-vehicle (16) approaching the intersection (14). The controller (24) is in communication with the intersection-detector (18) and the vehicle-detector (20). The controller (24) is configured to prevent the host-vehicle (12) from entering the intersection (14) when the stopping-distance (22) indicates that the other-vehicle (16) will enter the intersection (14) before stopping.

Abstract: A sensor data fusion system for a vehicle with multiple sensors includes a first-sensor, a second-sensor, and a controller-circuit. The first-sensor is configured to output a first-frame of data and a subsequent-frame of data indicative of objects present in a first-field-of-view. The first-frame is characterized by a first-time-stamp, the subsequent-frame of data characterized by a subsequent-time-stamp different from the first-time-stamp. The second-sensor is configured to output a second-frame of data indicative of objects present in a second-field-of-view that overlaps the first-field-of-view. The second-frame is characterized by a second-time-stamp temporally located between the first-time-stamp and the subsequent-time-stamp. The controller-circuit is configured to synthesize an interpolated-frame from the first-frame and the subsequent-frame. The interpolated-frame is characterized by an interpolated-time-stamp that corresponds to the second-time-stamp.

Abstract: A steering-system for an automated vehicle is provided. The system includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector indicates a height and/or a width of an object approached by a host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle and is in communication with the object-detector. The controller steers the host-vehicle to straddle the object when the height of the object is less than a ground-clearance of the host-vehicle, and/or the width of the object is less than a track-width of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle perception sensor adjustment system includes a perception-sensor, a digital-map, and controller-circuit. The perception-sensor is configured to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The perception-sensor is characterized as having a field-of-view that is adjustable. The digital-map indicates a contour of a roadway traveled by the host-vehicle. The controller-circuit in communication with the perception-sensor and the digital-map. The controller-circuit determines the field-of-view of the perception-sensor in accordance with the contour of the roadway indicated by the digital-map, and outputs a control-signal to the perception-sensor that adjusts the field-of-view of the perception-sensor.

Abstract: A system for operating an automated vehicle in a crowd of pedestrians includes an object-detector, optionally, a signal detector, and a controller. The object-detector detects pedestrians proximate to a host-vehicle. The signal-detector detects a signal-state displayed by a traffic-signal that displays a stop-state that indicates when the host-vehicle should stop so the pedestrians can cross in front of the host-vehicle, and displays a go-state that indicates when the pedestrians should stop passing in front of the host-vehicle so that the host-vehicle can go forward. The controller is in control of movement of the host-vehicle and in communication with the object-detector and the signal-detector. The controller operates the host-vehicle to stop the host-vehicle when the stop-state is displayed, and operates the host-vehicle to creep-forward after a wait-interval after the traffic-signal changes to the go-state when the pedestrians fail to stop passing in front of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: An object classification system for an automated vehicle includes a lidar and/or a camera, and a controller. The controller determines a lidar-outline and/or a camera-outline of an object. Using the lidar, the controller determines a transparency-characteristic of the object based on instances of spot-distances from within the lidar-outline of the object that correspond to a backdrop-distance. Using the camera, the controller determines a transparency-characteristic of the object based on instances of pixel-color within the camera-outline that correspond to a backdrop-color. The transparency-characteristic may also be determined based on a combination of information from the lidar and the camera. The controller operates the host-vehicle to avoid the object when the transparency-characteristic is less than a transparency-threshold.

Abstract: A detection system includes a first-sensor, a second-sensor, and a controller. The first-sensor is mounted on a host-vehicle. The first-sensor detects objects in a first-field-of-view. The second-sensor is positioned at a second-location different than the first-location. The second-sensor detects objects in a second-field-of-view that at least partially overlaps the first-field of view. The controller is in communication with the first-sensor and the second-sensor. The controller selects the second-sensor to detect an object-of-interest in accordance with a determination that an obstruction blocks a first-line-of-sight between the first-sensor and the object-of-interest.

Abstract: A driving-rule system (10) suitable to operate an automated includes a vehicle-detector (16) and a controller (20). The vehicle-detector (16) is suitable for use on a host-vehicle (12). The vehicle-detector (16) is used to detect movement of an other-vehicle (14) proximate to the host-vehicle (12). The controller (20) is in communication with the vehicle-detector (16). The controller (20) is configured to operate the host-vehicle (12) in accordance with a driving-rule (22), detect an observed-deviation (24) of the driving-rule (22) by the other-vehicle (14), and modify the driving-rule (22) based on the observed-deviation (24).

Abstract: An object-classification system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector may be a camera, radar, lidar or any combination thereof. The object-detector detects an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector. The controller is configured to determine a density of the object based on a motion-characteristic of the object caused by air-movement proximate to the object, and operate the host-vehicle to avoid striking the object with the host-vehicle when the density of the object is classified as dense.

Abstract: A radar system for an automated vehicle includes a digital-map, a radar, and a controller. The digital-map indicates a characteristic of a roadway traveled by a host-vehicle. The radar detects objects proximate to the host-vehicle. The radar is equipped with a range-setting that is selectively variable. The controller is in communication with the digital-map and the radar. The controller is configured to select the range-setting of the radar based on the characteristic of the roadway. The characteristic may be based on speed-limit, road-shape (e.g. curve-radius), a horizon-distance, and/or an obstruction (e.g. hill, sign, or building). The radar may be equipped with a frame-rate-setting (i.e. pulse repetition frequency or PRF) that is selectively variable, and the controller may be further configured to select the frame-rate-setting based on the characteristic of the roadway.

Abstract: A tracking system for semi-autonomous or autonomous operation of a host vehicle is configured to detect and monitor an object. The tracking system includes an object detection device and a controller. The object detection device is mounted to the host vehicle, and is configured to detect and monitor the object, output a first detection signal indicative of the object being detected, and output a second detection signal indicative of the object not being detected. The controller is configured to receive and associate the first detection signal to a terrain slope in a common moment in time, and receive and associate the second detection signal to a change in terrain slope in a succeeding moment in time. The controller outputs a command signal causing the host vehicle to slow down upon receipt of the second signal and the change in terrain slope, both occurring in the succeeding moment in time.

Abstract: A sensor failure compensation system for an automated vehicle includes a forward sensor, at least one side sensor, and a controller. The forward sensor is configured to monitor a forward scene and output a forward signal. The side sensor is configured to monitor a side scene and output a side signal associated with the side scene. The controller is configured to receive and process the forward signal to selectively establish a forward task in association with the forward scene, and receive and process the side signal to selectively establish a side task in association with the side scene. The controller selects the side task if the forward sensor is not functional, or selects the forward task if the side sensor is not functional.

Abstract: A sensor failure compensation system for an automated vehicle includes first and second sensors, and a controller. The first sensor is configured to monitor a first condition and output a first signal associated with the first condition. The second sensor is configured to monitor a second condition and output a second signal associated with the second condition. The controller is configured to receive and process the first signal to establish a first reaction relative to the first condition and toward reaching a goal, receive and process the second signal to establish a second reaction relative to the second condition and toward reaching the goal, and establish a third reaction relative to the second condition and toward reaching the goal if the first sensor is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A system for semi-autonomous, or autonomous, operation of a host vehicle includes an object detector and a controller. The object detector is configured to detect an object proximate to a lane boundary and output an object signal. The controller is configured to process the object signal and direct the host vehicle away from the lane boundary upon detection of the object.

Abstract: An operating system for an automated vehicle equipped with limited field-of-view sensors is provided. The system includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector detects objects proximate to a host-vehicle. A field-of-view of the object-detector is characterized by a preferred-portion of the field-of-view, where the preferred-portion is characterized as preferred for using the object-detector. The controller is in communication with the object-detector. The controller steers the host-vehicle to align the preferred-portion with a detected-object. The system optionally includes an intersecting-road-indicator that indicates an intersecting-road connected to an intersection approached by the host-vehicle, and the controller is in communication with the intersecting-road-indicator.

Abstract: A scenario aware perception system (10) suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a traffic-scenario detector (14), an object-detection device (24), and a controller (32). The traffic-scenario detector (14) is used to detect a present-scenario (16) experienced by a host-vehicle (12). The object-detection device (24) is used to detect an object (26) proximate to the host-vehicle (12). The controller (32) is in communication with the traffic-scenario detector (14) and the object-detection device (24). The controller (32) configured to determine a preferred-algorithm (36) used to identify the object (26). The preferred-algorithm (36) is determined based on the present-scenario (16).

Abstract: A steering-system for an automated vehicle is provided. The system includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector indicates a height and/or a width of an object approached by a host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle and is in communication with the object-detector. The controller steers the host-vehicle to straddle the object when the height of the object is less than a ground-clearance of the host-vehicle, and/or the width of the object is less than a track-width of the host-vehicle.

Abstract: A tracking system for at least partial automated operation of a host vehicle is configured to detect and monitor a moving object that may be at least momentarily, and at least partially, obstructed by an obstruction. The tracking system includes an object device and a controller. The object device is configured to detect the object with respect to the obstruction by monitoring for object and the obstruction at a prescribed frequency, and output a plurality of object signals at the prescribed frequency. The controller is configured to receive and process the plurality of object signals to recognize the object, determine a reference point of the object, and utilize the reference point to determine a true speed of the object as the object is increasingly or decreasingly obstructed by the obstruction.