Abstract: To provide an energy absorbing device, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt apparatus that can vary an energy absorbing amount depending on increase and decrease of rotation speed between relatively rotating objects and can improve durability. An energy absorbing device includes a casing connected to one object, an annular first clutch disc disposed in the casing, an annular second clutch disc disposed in the casing, and an annular clutch plate connected to the other object and having an engaging surface that faces both the first clutch disc and the second clutch disc, wherein the engaging outer teeth of the first clutch disc and the engaging inner teeth of the second clutch disc alternately engage with the engaging teeth of the clutch plate so as to absorb an energy generated by a relative rotation between one object and the other object.

Abstract: A seat safety apparatus, comprising a lap harness including a lap harness belt segment and at least one lap harness sensor connected with the lap harness belt segment; the lap harness sensor formed of an electrically conductive material having an electrical resistance variable as a function of strain of the lap harness sensor wherein, in response to a change in strain of the electrically conductive material of the lap harness sensor, the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive material of the lap harness sensor changes; wherein the electrically conductive material of the lap harness sensor provides an electrical resistance in an electrical circuit of the seat safety apparatus; and wherein, in response to electrical power provided to the electrical circuit, the lap harness sensor provides a lap harness sensor output which changes as the electrical resistance of the electrically conductive material of the lap harness sensor changes.

Abstract: Load sensors are disposed on four corners of a seat cushion. An occupant decision section of an occupant detection ECU decides a type of an occupant on a vehicle seat based on loads detected by the load sensors. A CRS changing section that prohibits the occupant decision section from changing a decision to a decision result that an adult is seated in the vehicle seat and changes the decision to a decision result that a child seat is attached on the vehicle seat when an engagement of a tongue plate with a buckle of a seat belt device is detected by a buckle switch and a buckle load calculated by buckle load calculation section is less than a predetermined buckling load threshold in a case where the occupant decision section decides that an adult is seated in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle with an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information or control signals may be generated. Occupant detection information may be used to perform various monitoring operations, and control signals may adjust various vehicle components.

Abstract: A vehicle key apparatus, mounted on an outer wall of a vehicle and a driver dashboard of the vehicle and the surroundings, including an electronic cipher keyboard, an RFID reader/writer (20), a biological features recognizer, wherein a portable electronic key comprises multi-functional appliances such as a mobile phone, a watch and the like, and an anti-theft system lock extension switch (5) is set beside an engine switch (3) of the vehicle; the door lock of the vehicle, the anti-theft system lock, the engine, the air-conditioner and the cargo hold are opened and closed and recorder data is read and so forth by means of the cipher, RFID, biological features, remote control, radio induction and the like. Due to the convenient use of the apparatus, there is no need or less need to carry keys, which enhances the performance of key management.

Abstract: A wiper blade assembly is provided. The wiper includes an adhering member, a channel rail configured to be coupled to the adhering member, and a channel rail fixing unit configured to support the channel rail, wherein the channel rail is movable against the channel rail fixing unit in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. A slidable movement of the channel rail from the channel rail fixing unit can be easily realized. Thus, the slidability of the channel rail can be improved, and as a result, the performance of a wiper can be improved.

Abstract: A windshield wiper for a motor vehicle includes an elongate wiper blade and a supply conduit for cleaning fluid leading to outlet openings formed on both sides of the wiper blade. A directional control valve is provided to selectively supply cleaning fluid to either the outlet openings on the first side or the outlet openings on the second side of the wiper blade based on the wiping direction of the wiper blade.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting and inflating tires is described that is suitable for quickly sealing the beads of a tire to the rim of a wheel. The present invention delivers a high volume of pressurized air to an interior of a tire through a nozzle. The apparatus of the invention is particularly well suited for tire changing machines and tire mounting subsystems. The apparatus includes a tire changing station, an air supply controller, and a nozzle capable of delivering a high volume of pressurized fluid into an interior of a tire through a valve stem hole of the wheel rim.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine, said construction machine comprising a brake assembly for braking the machine, as well as an operator platform. The operator platform comprises at least one operator seat with a total of at least two operating positions for a machine operator at opposite ends of the operator platform, and an actuation device for foot actuation of the brake assembly. According to essential aspects of the present invention, the actuation device for the brake assembly comprises a brake beam which extends transversely to the working direction of the construction machine and which can be operated by foot from said two operating positions, and the actuation device further comprises an actuator for the brake beam, which is arranged below the brake beam.

Abstract: A method for establishing a wireless connection between a first transceiver in a trailer vehicle (12) having an electronic braking system and at least one second transceiver outside of the trailer vehicle (12) is disclosed. The first transceiver is assigned to an electronic control unit (14, 22) in the trailer vehicle (12), which is coupled to a tractor vehicle (10) and a wired connection (15, 16, 17) exists. In the method, a) a trigger signal is generated in the tractor vehicle (10) and transmitted the control unit (14, 22); b) the first transceiver establishes a preliminary connection to the at least one second transceiver, c) the at least one second transceiver indicates via an output unit the preliminary connection, and d) if conditions are met, a permanent connection between the first transceiver and the second transceiver is established.

Abstract: In an emergency stop situation, the regenerative braking system is used to assist in rapid deceleration, by combining regenerative braking with conventional friction brakes. Sensors can also be used to trigger the braking systems, even before the driver is able to react. These sensors might include external cameras, ABS activation detection, radar and ultrasound.

Abstract: A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a master cylinder for a brake system. The master cylinder for a brake system comprises a cylinder body in which a bore is formed, at least one piston provided to be movable forward and backward in the bore, a hydraulic chamber pressurized by the piston, an oil port connected to a reservoir and configured to supply oil to the hydraulic chamber of the cylinder body, and a sealing member installed in the cylinder body and configured to block a flow of oil between the oil port and the hydraulic chamber according to a movement of the piston, wherein the piston includes a piston groove having an inclined surface in contact with the sealing member and a plurality of piston holes formed along an outer circumferential surface of the piston groove configured to communicate the oil port with the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A negative pressure controller controls a negative pressure in a vacuum chamber of a vacuum booster by controlling a negative pressure supplier connected to the vacuum chamber. The negative pressure controller includes: negative pressure sensors each configured to detect the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber; and a negative-pressure-supplier controller configured to actuate the negative pressure supplier when one of output values of the negative pressure sensors which is nearest to an atmospheric pressure among the output values becomes nearer to an atmospheric pressure than a first threshold value. The negative-pressure-supplier controller is configured to stop the negative pressure supplier when at least two output values of the output values of the negative pressure sensors become nearer to a vacuum than a second threshold value.

Abstract: A damping device, for example for damping pressure pulses in a brake circuit of a slip-controllable hydraulic vehicle brake system, includes a damper chamber with a pressure medium volumetric capacity, which can be varied in a pressure-dependent manner, and a flow resistor connected downstream thereof. Disadvantageously, the pressure medium volumetric capacity of the damping device is not available for the brake pressure build-up when the brake pressure is generated by the driver, and the pedal travel on a brake master cylinder of a vehicle brake system is therefore lengthened. A mechanism limits the pressure medium volumetric capacity of the damping device in the case of a passive braking operation. In the case of partially active or fully active braking operations, in contrast, the mechanism has no effect and the full scope of the pressure medium volumetric capacity of the damping device is available for damping pressure pulses.

Abstract: An air dryer for a locomotive air supply system that includes a controller programmed to initiate a sleep mode that inhibits the air dryer and de-energizes all valves. The controller determines when it is appropriate to enter into sleep mode based on various conditions of the locomotive air supply system. More specifically, the controller is programmed to calculate whether the air dryer should be placed into sleep mode based on operational characteristics of the locomotive air supply system that are indicative that the system has been idled. The initiation of an air dryer sleep mode by the controller prevents undesirable venting of air from the air supply system and unnecessary usage of locomotive battery power.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a first actuating element of an electrical parking lock device of a motor vehicle, wherein the first actuating element is mounted on a spindle in an axially mobile manner, where the method includes a step in which the first actuating element is moved in an opening direction to a stop, the spindle is then rotated to move the first actuating element in a closing direction, the current input and the energy consumption of a driver are captured at this point, provision is then made for identifying a first reference point if the current input of the spindle drive increases or decreases by at least a first threshold value, the first reference point is assigned to the energy consumption that has been captured, where the first reference point corresponds to the first actuating element coming into contact with an actuating pawl:

Abstract: A stopping control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a braking apparatus; a gear-type automatic transmission installed in a powertrain; and a control device configured to control the braking apparatus and the automatic transmission. The control device is configured to shift, after a vehicle transitions from a travel state to a stop state, a range of the automatic transmission to a P range under a state where the braking force applied to wheels is a braking force for maintaining the vehicle in the stop state, and then reduce the braking force applied to the wheels. The control device is configured to change a decrease rate of the braking force such that the decrease rate after a time point at which a predetermined period has elapsed from a start of a decrease in the braking force is less than the decrease rate before the time point.

Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a water pump, and an oil pump. The apparatus makes a second motor to drive the water pump drive the oil pump, if the first motor to drive the oil pump malfunctions. Consequently, if the first motor malfunctions, the oil pump can be driven by the second motor. Thus, the possibility of seizing of the sliding portions of the engine can be reduced. Further, if the first motor malfunctions, the friction in the engine can be reduced, since the oil pump is not driven by the crank shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a battery, and is configured to perform external power feeding of supplying electric power to the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle includes an MG that generates electric power by using motive power of the engine, and an ECU that controls the engine and the MG. When an outside air temperature is below a reference temperature and an amount of remaining fuel of the engine is below a reference amount in a case where the external power feeding is to be performed, the ECU limits the driving of the engine.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid working vehicle that enables enhancing efficiency of an engine.

Abstract: A method for learning engine clutch delivery torque of a hybrid vehicle includes: determining, by a controller, whether power transference of a transmission transmitting output from an engine of the vehicle and a motor of the vehicle is interrupted; controlling, by the controller, a speed of the motor to be maintained at a first speed when the power transference of the transmission is interrupted; calculating, by the controller, a first delivery torque of an engine clutch that connects the engine with the motor or disconnects the engine from the motor, based on the first speed and a second speed of the motor which is generated after the engine clutch is engaged; controlling, by the controller, the speed of the motor to be maintained at the second speed by releasing the engine clutch after the first delivery torque is calculated; and calculating, by the controller, a second delivery torque of the engine clutch based on the second speed and a third speed of the motor which is generated after the engine clutch i

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a motor, and a storage battery and which charges the storage battery with electric power generated as a result of regenerative braking and electric power generated by using an output of the engine. When a planned travel route includes a downhill section whose height difference is greater than a predetermined height difference threshold, the controller executes a downhill control operation that decreases the target remaining capacity of the storage battery. The controller increases the height difference threshold as the estimated average speed of the vehicle during travel in the downhill section increases, to thereby restrain the execution of the downhill control for a downhill section in which an increase in the remaining capacity is not expected due to a large air resistance acting on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method to control a hybrid vehicle with a parallel architecture and with a known speed profile divided into a plurality of reference time intervals with a constant speed or with a constant acceleration. The method includes the steps of determining a driving torque to be transmitted to the drive wheels, which allows the mean specific fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine to be minimized as a function of the power, of the mechanical energy requested in the reference time interval and of the constant speed or acceleration in the reference time interval; then determining the optimal distribution of the mechanical energy so as to globally minimize the cumulative fuel consumption over the entire actuation profile; and controlling the reversible electrical machine to deliver an additional driving torque as a function of the driving torque to be transmitted to the drive wheels.

Abstract: A hybrid drive vehicle control method and apparatus for a hybrid drive vehicle having a prime mover, drive wheels, a hybrid mechanism having an energy storage device, and an electrical controller is provided. The apparatus and method collect vehicle data characteristic of how the vehicle is operated, and compare the collected vehicle data to prescribed data, the prescribed data corresponding to a desired operation of the vehicle. A propulsion power limit of at least one of the hybrid mechanism or the prime mover is set based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method to control a hybrid vehicle with a parallel architecture and with an unknown speed profile, wherein the hybrid vehicle is provided with an internal combustion engine and with a reversible electrical machine connected to a storage system designed to store electrical energy; the method comprises the steps of recognizing the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle; determining a function of the specific fuel consumption of the drive system of the hybrid vehicle as a function of the operating mode of the hybrid vehicle; determining the optimal value of the power of the storage system and the optimal value of the power of the internal combustion engine, which correspond to the values that permit a minimization of said function.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving device includes: a first motor generator; a second motor generator; an input shaft; an output shaft; a rotating member rotatably linked to the output shaft; a connection member to which the first motor generator is connected; a connection mechanism which connects and disconnects the connection member and the rotating member; a one-way clutch connecting the input shaft and the connection member; a synchronization control portion synchronizing the rotational speed of the first motor generator with the rotational speed of the rotating member; a first engine control portion maintaining the rotational speed of an engine; a connection portion connecting the connection member and the rotating member to each other; and a second engine control portion controlling the engine such that the rotational speed of the input shaft is synchronized with the rotational speed of the connection member.

Abstract: A backward driving control method of a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The backward driving control method includes: confirming the driving mode of the vehicle, if a shift lever is located at a position R; comparing the tilt of a road surface with a predetermined tilt, as a result of confirmation of the driving mode, if the driving mode is a motor driving mode; and engaging a first gear as a shift stage and driving a motor in a reverse direction, as a result of comparison of the tilt, if the tilt of the road surface is below the predetermined tilt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing driveline mode change busyness for a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods may delay a driveline mode change in response to a time since a change from a first desired vehicle speed to a second vehicle speed, or alternatively, driveline mode changes may be initiated in response to an estimated time to change from the first desired vehicle speed to the second desired vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method comprises on board a hybrid vehicle and executed by a vehicle controller on board the hybrid vehicle, determining a pH based on a pH sensor positioned in a fuel system; and in response to a first condition comprising the pH being less than a first threshold pH, disabling an electric motor and propelling the hybrid vehicle with an engine. In this way, a risk of engine degradation due to fuel degradation can be reduced.

Abstract: When a malfunction occurs in communication between an HV-ECU and an MG-ECU, inverterless running is performed to ensure that a driving torque of a vehicle is applied, by setting inverters in a gate shutoff state and using a braking torque generated in a motor generator rotated by an engine. When the inverterless running resulting from the malfunction in communication is performed, the MG-ECU uses a converter to control a system voltage VH to a predetermined voltage. During the inverterless running resulting from the malfunction in communication, the HV-ECU sets an assumed power range of a battery based on a detected value regarding a vehicle running state and the predetermined voltage. When an actual electric power determined from the voltage and current of the battery is out of the assumed power range, the HV-ECU performs a process for stopping the vehicle from running.

Abstract: A method to control an electric motor including the steps of: determining a target torque; calculating a target current by dividing the target torque by a torque constant; determining an equivalent impedance by means of a predetermined map; calculating the voltage drop by multiplying the target current by the equivalent impedance; calculating a counter-electromotive force by multiplying an actual rotation speed by a speed constant; determining a control voltage to be applied to the power supply terminals of the electric motor by adding the voltage drop to the counter-electromotive force; determining an offset parameter; and correcting the equivalent impedance provided by the predetermined map by applying the offset parameter.

Abstract: When at least one of motor generators is not under normal control and where the MG1 temperature is less than an upper limit value, an ECU is configured to perform an inverter-less running control. In the inverter-less running control, an inverter is brought into a gate shutoff state and an engine is driven to cause the motor generator to generate a counter-electromotive voltage which consequently produces a counter-electromotive torque. During the inverter-less running control, the ECU makes a voltage difference between the counter-electromotive voltage and the voltage of a power line connecting a converter and an inverter when the MG1 temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value smaller than the voltage difference when the MG1 temperature is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A driving support device includes a processing device that performs driving support by controlling in-vehicle equipment having an influence on running of a subject vehicle equipped with the driving support device. The processing device is configured to repeatedly obtain and store, at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval, a pair of values of longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration that are generated as a result of a driving operation performed by a driver, the longitudinal acceleration being an acceleration in a traveling direction of the subject vehicle, the lateral acceleration being an acceleration in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, and set at least one parameter of a support operation for performing the driving support, on the basis of a plurality of pairs each being the pair of the values of the longitudinal acceleration and the lateral acceleration repeatedly obtained and stored.

Abstract: It is preferable to reduce an uncomfortable feeling arising from an abrupt driving force generated in an automatic starting clutch in an automatic clutch vehicle. When an automatic clutch operating device is about to automatically engage a starting clutch, a brake controller drives a brake actuator to forcibly actuate a brake device, thereby braking a driving wheel WR. Here, a brake pressure to be applied to the driving wheel WR can be set as a brake pressure such as to change an expected driving torque which is accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling in the absence of control by the brake controller into a norm driving torque which is not accompanied by the uncomfortable feeling, taking into account the clutch capacity and an engine control output.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes a proximity detection section that detects an obstacle within a set distance, a behavior regulation section that performs a forced braking of a vehicle when the obstacle is detected by the proximity detection section, an arrangement memory that stores a past captured image around a target parking region, a captured image acquisition section, that acquires a present captured image around the target parking region at parking or departing with respect to the target parking region, and an obstacle specification section that specifies a non-stationary obstacle around the target parking region, based on a difference between the past captured image stored in the arrangement memory and the present captured image acquired by the arrangement acquisition section. The proximity detection section assigns a stationary object with the set distance that is smaller than the set distance assigned to a non-stationary object.

Abstract: Disclosed includes a method for controlling a personal transportation vehicle, the method being performed by a processor coupled with one or more driving motors of the personal transportation vehicle and with a turning control component and comprising: determining information about a height of an obstacle; determining, based on the information about the height of the obstacle, whether the personal transportation vehicle is capable of running over the obstacle; and after determining that the personal transportation vehicle is not capable of running over the obstacle: transmitting a first signal to the one or more driving motors to reduce a driving force, to cause the personal transportation vehicle to decelerate, and transmitting a second signal to disable the turning control component. As a result, the likelihood that one of the wheels of the vehicle becomes blocked by an obstacle can be reduced, and the safety of the vehicle operation can be improved.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural working machine has at least one working unit such as a ground drive, a driver assistance system for generating control actions within the working machine, and a sensor system for generating pieces of environmental information. The driver assistance system generates the control actions on the basis of the pieces of environmental information. The driver assistance system assigns an urgency level to each of the pieces of environmental information and generates the control actions on the basis of the pieces of environmental information and the particular assigned urgency levels.

Abstract: A course evaluation apparatus includes an estimated-course-group generation portion that generates a plurality of estimated course groups for a movable body; and a course evaluation portion that performs a course evaluation on the plurality of estimated course groups with respect to at least two different evaluation criteria.

Abstract: A method for controlling a balance car is provided. The method includes: identifying an obstacle; identifying a type of the obstacle in front of the balance car, the type of the obstacle including an impassable obstacle type; and when the type of the obstacle is the impassable obstacle type, controlling the balance car to decelerate.

Abstract: A speed control system configured automatically to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a first target speed value stored by the system at least in part by controlling an amount of drive torque applied to one or more wheels by a powertrain. The system is configured to receive a driver drive demand signal indicative of an amount of driver demanded drive torque to be applied to one or more wheels, and is configured to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a second target speed value greater than the first in dependence at least in part on the driver drive demand signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling automatic driving of a vehicle includes a vehicle sensing unit configured to sense a leading vehicle or other nearby vehicle and sense a speed and a relative distance of a leading vehicle or other nearby vehicle from the vehicle, a target acceleration calculation unit configured to calculate a danger level indicating an influence on driving of the vehicle of the leading vehicle or the nearby vehicle using the sensed speed and relative distance and calculate a target acceleration of the vehicle according to the danger level, and a vehicle control unit configured to control the vehicle to drive at an automatic driving speed and control the vehicle according to the target acceleration upon sensing the leading vehicle or the nearby vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for protecting a vehicle clutch, including a check step for checking the mileage of a vehicle and the number of times a clutch wear compensation device is operated; after the check step, a calculation step for calculating a clutch thermal severity level, which indicates the degree of thermal severity of the clutch, based on the mileage and the number of times the wear compensation device is operated; and a control step for controlling at least one of the shifting pattern of the vehicle and engine RPM depending on the clutch thermal severity level, after the calculation step.

Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed as having a transmission configured to receive torque output from a power source and to drive a traction device, and an input device. The transmission system may also have a control module configured to reference a signal from the input device with a map to determine a corresponding speed of the power source, and to determine a margin between an actual and a maximum available torque output of the power source at a current speed. The control module may also be configured to determine a delay time threshold based on the margin, to selectively adjust a speed of the power source mapped to the maximum displaced position of the operator input device based on the margin, and to selectively adjust fueling of the power source at a current displacement position of the operator input device and operation of the transmission based on the signal and the map.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission, and one or more accessories, such as an alternator or an air conditioning compressor, all operating based on commands from a controller. The controller is programmed to coordinate commands to the transmission with commands to the accessories to mitigate the impacts of transmission state changes. The accessory drive torque may be adjusted to compensate for the torque required to change the speed of a transmission internal shaft. The accessory effective inertia may be adjusted to maintain a powertrain natural frequency so that active damping can be maintained throughout a transmission state change event.

Abstract: A control method for carrying out a gear shift in a transmission provided with a dual-clutch gearbox, so as to shift from a current gear to a following gear. The control method comprises the steps of; receiving a gear-shift command; filling with oil, always supplying the maximum possible oil flow rate, a second clutch associated with the following gear after receiving the gear-shift command; completely closing the second clutch at the maximum possible speed as soon as the oil filling ends; and completely opening a first clutch associated with the current gear A at the maximum possible speed as soon as the oil filling in the second clutch ends.

Abstract: A control method for carrying out a gear shift in a transmission provided with a dual-clutch gearbox, so as to shift from a current gear to a following gear; the control method comprises the steps of: receiving a gear shift command; opening a first clutch associated with the current gear; closing a second clutch associated with the following gear; determining whether a driving style is a comfort driving style, an energy efficiency driving style, a sports driving style or a racing driving style; and in case of upshifting, controlling the second clutch after the complete closing of the second clutch, so as to allow said second clutch to temporarily transmit a torque that is greater than the torque to be transmitted by the second clutch immediately after the gear shift and than the torque transmitted by the first clutch immediately before the gear shift, only in case of energy efficiency or racing driving style.

Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed a computing apparatus, including: a driver identity detector to detect the identity of a driver; and one or more logic elements providing a driver competency engine, operable to: detect the identity of the driver; evaluate the driver's operation of a vehicle; and build a driver competency profile based at least in part on the evaluating. The driver competency engine may further be operable to detect a context of the operation, such as environmental factors. There is also described a method of providing a driver competency engine, and one or more computer readable mediums having stored thereon executable instructions for providing a driver competency engine.

Abstract: A system, for use at an autonomous-driving-capable vehicle, including a processing hardware unit and a tangible interface device. The system further includes a mode-determining module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, determine an applicable interaction mode corresponding to a driver of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle. The system also includes an interaction module configured to, via the processing hardware unit, perform various operations. The operations include generating system messages having content based on the applicable interaction mode determined and related to autonomous-driving activities of the vehicle. The operations also include transmitting, by way of the tangible communication device, the system messages to a tangible interface device of the autonomous-driving-capable vehicle for communication to the driver by way of the tangible output device.

Abstract: A vehicle control device can be mounted in a vehicle. A receiver receives information from a wireless device mounted in another vehicle. A determiner determines whether or not to switch an automatic steering mode to a manual steering mode on the basis of the information received by the receiver. A notifier prompts a driver of the vehicle to switch the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode in a case where the determiner determines to switch the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode.