Abstract: A vehicle control system for use with a host vehicle configured for travel along a path is described. The vehicle control system includes a processor configured to access a host location and host speed of the host vehicle. The processor is also configured to detect a follower location and follower speed of a following vehicle behind the host vehicle on the path. A tailgating distance is calculated between the host vehicle and the following vehicle. The following vehicle is identified as a tailgating vehicle when the tailgating distance is less than or equal to a first warning distance or when the follower speed is greater than the host vehicle within a second warning distance. A tailgating protocol of the host vehicle is initiated for the tailgating vehicle based on a differential speed between the host speed and the follower speed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a host vehicle relative to a first vehicle positioned immediately ahead of the host vehicle, including, detecting a second vehicle driving behind the host vehicle and in the same lane as the host vehicle. The method including detecting a braking operation initiated by the vehicle system of the host vehicle. The braking operation causes the host vehicle to decelerate based on an acceleration control rate in order to maintain a preceding headway reference distance with the first vehicle. The method includes, determining a relative rear headway distance between the host vehicle and the second vehicle with respect to a rear headway reference distance and modifying the acceleration control rate based on the relative rear headway distance and the rear headway reference distance. Further, the method includes controlling the vehicle system according to the modified acceleration control rate.

Abstract: An information providing system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is operable by a driver capable of exhibiting driving behavior, the driving behavior being a recorded frequency of occurrences. The system can include a processor that is configured to: obtain a first driving pattern from the driving behavior, the first driving pattern being specified when the same driving behavior is repeated above a threshold frequency; select at least one functionality based on the first driving pattern obtained; and recommend the at least one functionality selected by the selector to the driver.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for use with a host vehicle configured for travel along a path is described. The vehicle control system includes a processor configured to access a host location and host speed of the host vehicle. The processor is also configured to detect a follower location and follower speed of a following vehicle behind the host vehicle on the path. A tailgating distance is calculated between the host vehicle and the following vehicle. The following vehicle is identified as a tailgating vehicle when the tailgating distance is less than or equal to a first warning distance or when the follower speed is greater than the host vehicle within a second warning distance. A tailgating protocol of the host vehicle is initiated for the tailgating vehicle based on a differential speed between the host speed and the follower speed.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus for predicting traffic conditions and controlling a host vehicle based on the predicted conditions for travel along a path. The methods and apparatus can perform the following: accessing current path data relevant to a location and speed the host vehicle; detecting data, from a vehicular communications network, from a merging vehicle intending to merge into the path of the host vehicle; detecting data, from the vehicular communications network, of preceding traffic in the path of the host vehicle; determining a speed and location of the merging vehicle from the data transmitted over the vehicle communications network; determining a speed and location of preceding traffic on the path of the host vehicle from the data transmitted over the vehicular communications network; and predicting whether the speed of the preceding traffic or the speed of the merging vehicle will slow down during the merge.

Abstract: An information providing system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is operable by a driver capable of exhibiting driving behavior, the driving behavior being a recorded frequency of occurrences. The system can include a processor that is configured to: obtain a first driving pattern from the driving behavior, the first driving pattern being specified when the same driving behavior is repeated above a threshold frequency; select at least one functionality based on the first driving pattern obtained; and recommend the at least one functionality selected by the selector to the driver.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a host vehicle relative to a first vehicle positioned immediately ahead of the host vehicle, including, detecting a second vehicle driving behind the host vehicle and in the same lane as the host vehicle. The method including detecting a braking operation initiated by the vehicle system of the host vehicle. The braking operation causes the host vehicle to decelerate based on an acceleration control rate in order to maintain a preceding headway reference distance with the first vehicle. The method includes, determining a relative rear headway distance between the host vehicle and the second vehicle with respect to a rear headway reference distance and modifying the acceleration control rate based on the relative rear headway distance and the rear headway reference distance. Further, the method includes controlling the vehicle system according to the modified acceleration control rate.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus for predicting traffic conditions and controlling a host vehicle based on the predicted conditions for travel along a path. The methods and apparatus can perform the following: accessing current path data relevant to a location and speed the host vehicle; detecting data, from a vehicular communications network, from a merging vehicle intending to merge into the path of the host vehicle; detecting data, from the vehicular communications network, of preceding traffic in the path of the host vehicle; determining a speed and location of the merging vehicle from the data transmitted over the vehicle communications network; determining a speed and location of preceding traffic on the path of the host vehicle from the data transmitted over the vehicular communications network; and predicting whether the speed of the preceding traffic or the speed of the merging vehicle will slow down during the merge.

Abstract: An alert system within a vehicle including a sensor and at least one speaker that generates at least one air thrust when a sensor detects a hazardous condition. The frequency and strength of the at least one air thrust varies based on the awareness level of the driver. In one embodiment, at least one air thrust is directed towards the driver from the direction of the hazardous condition. The hazardous condition may include, but is not limited to the driver falling asleep or a vehicle running a red light.

Abstract: An alert system within a vehicle including a sensor and at least one speaker that generates at least one air thrust when a sensor detects a hazardous condition. The frequency and strength of the at least one air thrust varies based on the awareness level of the driver. In one embodiment, at least one air thrust is directed towards the driver from the direction of the hazardous condition. The hazardous condition may include, but is not limited to the driver falling asleep or a vehicle running a red light.