Abstract: Provided is a vehicle drive assisting apparatus capable of allowing a driver to recognize a road surface condition which can be used for reference in steering following wheels or a road surface condition which can be used for reference in turning. Such vehicle-drive assisting apparatus includes a wheel position storing section storing a position of a wheel when a vehicle effects traveling, a road surface information acquiring section acquiring road surface information indicating a road surface condition of a road surface on which the vehicle has traveled, and a display image generating section generating a display image of the road surface information stored and relating to the wheel position on a displaying unit provided in the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation errors correction method based on magnetic nail positioning includes a magnetic nail is set within the moving area of AGV, and an information-bearing magnetic field mode is established according to magnetic field formed and stored in a navigation device. The method further includes a navigation device in AGV guides movement of AGV; a magnetic sensor on AGV detects features of magnetic field on movement track. Contrast features of magnetic field detected by magnetic sensor with those of magnetic field mode prestored by navigation device, and reckon the relative position of magnetic nail and AGV. Based on relative position of magnetic nail and AGV, reckon current position of AGV, the navigation device adjusts position and orientation of AGV and guides AGV to repair movement errors based on reckoning position of AGV.

Abstract: A travel control device acquires subject vehicle information including the position of a subject vehicle, acquires object information including the position of an avoidance object which the subject vehicle should avoid, plans a target route for avoiding the avoidance object in accordance with the position of the subject vehicle and the position of the avoidance object, and outputs command information for driving the subject vehicle on the target route. The planning function is used to reduce the distance from the subject vehicle to a turning point as a margin distance decreases. The margin distance is the distance between the subject vehicle and a lane marker on a road on which the subject vehicle is traveling and is along a width direction of the road. The turning point is a point at which the location of the target route along the width direction varies by a predetermined distance or more.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle lamp includes a turn signal lamp, a turn signal lamp switch configured to operate the turn signal lamp, a lane change detector configured to detect lane change, and a controller configured to release the operation of the turn signal lamp when the lane change detector determines that the lane change has been completed after the operation of the turn signal lamp switch.

Abstract: AGVs receive instructions regarding tasks to be performed via localized wireless I/O communication devices (604) onboard the AGVs from localized wireless communications units (600) positioned about the facility, for example, at conveyors (202). The wireless communications units (600) utilize I/O devices (604) which have a limited range so as to be truly localized in their operation. The AGVs have a sophisticated onboard control system (130) that includes a destination determination system (140), a routing system (142), a navigation system (144), and a crash avoidance system.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding device permit an at least partially computer-controlled and/or autonomous vehicle to communicate with its surroundings, in particular with a road user such as a person in its surroundings. A control unit for a vehicle is configured to receive surroundings data from one or more surroundings sensors of the vehicle and to detect at least one road user in the surroundings of the vehicle on the basis of the surroundings data. The control unit is configured to determine on the basis of the surroundings data whether there is a need for communication between the road user and the vehicle. The control unit is configured, if it has been determined that there is a need for communication between the road user and the vehicle, to actuate an adaptation system of the vehicle and/or one or more visual communication system in order to communicate with the road user.

Abstract: A lidar system with a pulsed laser diode configured to produce an optical seed pulse of light at an operating wavelength between approximately 1400 nm and approximately 1600 nm. The lidar system may also include an optical amplifier configured to amplify the optical seed pulse to produce an eye-safe output optical pulse that is emitted into a field of view. The optical amplifier may produce an amount of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) associated with the output optical pulse. The lidar system may include an optical filter configured to filter the output optical pulse to reduce the associated ASE. The lidar system may also include a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the output optical pulse reflected or scattered from the field of view.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling the steering of a machine such as a mower, sprayer, raker, or snow plow. A control system may comprise a unitary structure such as a tablet computer may be removably attached with the machine, the control system tracking movement of the machine over an area using GPS systems or the like and then automatically calculating, storing, and transmitting optimized travel paths that minimize the distance traveled by the machine for subsequent movements of the machine over the same area. Systems may automatically detect excluded areas within the area, and may automatically update optimized travel paths during subsequent uses at the option of a user. Path data and other information may be stored remotely and access thereto controlled by a service provider. Record-replay functionality is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical object detection apparatus and associated methods. The apparatus may comprise a lens (e.g., fixed-focal length wide aperture lens) and an image sensor. The fixed focal length of the lens may correspond to a depth of field area in front of the lens. When an object enters the depth of field area (e.g., due to a relative motion between the object and the lens) the object representation on the image sensor plane may be in-focus. Objects outside the depth of field area may be out of focus. In-focus representations of objects may be characterized by a greater contrast parameter compared to out of focus representations. One or more images provided by the detection apparatus may be analyzed in order to determine useful information (e.g., an image contrast parameter) of a given image. Based on the image contrast meeting one or more criteria, a detection indication may be produced.

Abstract: A home robot and control method thereof; the home robot comprises: a casing (100); a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and a plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) provided on the casing (100) arranged at intervals; and a controller (400) connected to the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) respectively, the controller (400) being used to control the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) to transmit first ultrasonic wave signals according to a preset period and to detect a front obstacle according to signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300). The home robot can detect the direction of an obstacle, and is not affected by a material of the obstacle, thus enabling the home robot to perform an avoidance method according to the detected direction of the obstacle, avoiding a collision between the home robot and the obstacle, increasing a cleaning coverage rate and improving a user experience.

Abstract: A vehicle collision warning prevention method includes the steps of: (a) extracting a forward video of a vehicle and video recognition information from a video recognition module mounted in a vehicle, and detecting a size change rate of a forward object included in the video recognition information at each frame of the forward video; (b) calculating an average OFCR of a predetermined frame section; (c) determining whether a value obtained by subtracting the average OFCR from a current OFCR is less than a predetermined threshold value; (d) determining that a brake operation signal is generated when it is determined that the value is less than the threshold value; (e) determining whether a collision warning signal is generated within a predetermined time after the step (d); and (f) preventing an output of the collision warning signal when the collision warning signal is generated at the step (e).

Abstract: Provided is a mine management system for a mine where an unmanned vehicle operates in an operation area of the mine, including determining based on position data of a moving body which is different from the unmanned vehicle whether the moving body enters the operation area, starting monitoring abnormality including abnormality of at least one of communication state and position detection state of the moving body based on manipulation on an input device installed in the moving body, setting an entrance prohibited area where entrance of the unmanned vehicle is prohibited to include a position of the moving body and activating a function of expanding the entrance prohibited area when an abnormality is detected, and activating an alarm device installed in the moving body when it is determined that the moving body enters the operation area and the input device is not manipulated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising receiving input corresponding to a first contour wayline to enable auto-steer traversal by a vehicle over a field; generating a plurality of contour waylines based on the first contour wayline; identifying a non-drivable section among the plurality of contour waylines, the identifying based on information corresponding to a time for the vehicle to reach a minimum turning radius and the minimum turning radius; and generating an alternative contour wayline section for the identified non-drivable section.

Abstract: A motor vehicle system for generating and transmitting detected object attributes includes a communication system module positioned in a host vehicle receiving vehicle attribute data from a target vehicle and a sensed vehicle and preparing a fused object attribute data for transmission to the target vehicle. A vehicle track data sub-module in communication with the communication system module independently tracks the sensed vehicle and the target vehicle. An object detection and classification system module having a 3D object detection module identifies a vehicle type defined at least by a vehicle size and generates an object attribute data. A target fusion module receives the object attribute data from the object detection and classification system module, fuses the object attribute data with the vehicle attribute data to create the fused object attribute data, and forwards the fused object attribute data to the communication system module for transmission.

Abstract: An active grille shutter (AGS) system for a vehicle can include a housing defining first, second, and third openings, the third opening being located between the first and second openings and being configured to receive an object detection device that is configured to detect objects in front of the vehicle, a first set of louvers arranged in the first opening, a second set of louvers arranged in the second opening, and a linkage connecting the first and second sets of louvers, wherein a set of actuators are configured to selectively open/close the first and second sets of louvers by driving the linkage or at least one of the first and second sets of louvers. The AGS system can be configured to be fully-integrated, semi-integrated, or standalone with respect to a grille assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: To improve working efficiency of mounting components in a lower part of a vehicle body, a vehicle assembly line includes a supporting unit to support a vehicle body in a position such that the front direction of the vehicle body is perpendicular to the conveying direction. The supporting unit includes an upstream supporting member and a downstream supporting member provided upstream and downstream of the platform along the conveying direction, respectively. The centers of the support columns fixed to a platform, of the upstream supporting member and the downstream supporting member, are located upstream and downstream, respectively, with respect to a center line CLb of the platform extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the platform, and located apart from and opposite to each other across a center line CLa of the platform extending in the conveying direction, to provide a working space for mounting below the vehicle body supported by the carrier device.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a communication interface programmed to receive, at a host vehicle, signals transmitted from a target vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processor programmed to calculate a Doppler shift associated with the signals transmitted from the target vehicle and determine whether the target vehicle is moving toward the host vehicle based on the Doppler shift.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and presenting virtual safety cages are provided. An example method may involve receiving an instruction for a robotic device to perform a physical action in a physical environment occupied by the robotic device. The method may also involve, responsive to receiving the instruction, and based on one or more parameters of one or more physical components of the robotic device, determining one or more estimated trajectories along which the one or more physical components of the robotic device are estimated to move as the robotic device performs the physical action. The method may further involve, based on the one or more estimated trajectories, determining a virtual representation of a space that the robotic device is estimated to occupy in the physical environment while performing the physical action. The method may then involve providing, into the physical environment, an indication of a location of the space.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for use with an entity physically spaced from the unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle having objective parameters corresponding to controlled parameters of the entity. The unmanned vehicle comprises a transceiver that is configured to wirelessly receive an input signal from the entity, wherein the input signal is indicative of the controlled parameters of the entity. The unmanned vehicle further comprises a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuit that is configured to generate a command signal based on a phase of the input signal and a phase of a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is indicative of the objective parameters of the unmanned vehicle. The transceiver is further configured to wirelessly transmit the command signal to the entity such that the entity controls the controlled parameters of the entity based on the command signal.

Abstract: A system and method for driver guidance are presented. A position sensor is mounted to a vehicle. The position sensor is configured to identify a position of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A device is configured to generate a plurality of outputs. A controller is connected to the position sensor and the display device. The controller is configured to access, via a wireless communications network, a database to identify a target loading location for the vehicle, determine a location and a heading of the target loading location for the vehicle, and modify at least one of the plurality of outputs of the display device based upon at least one of the location and the heading of the target loading location.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to tire localization systems and methods for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). In embodiments, a tire pressure management system comprises a wheel speed sensor (WSS), a tire pressure sensor (TPS) that can comprise circuitry and/or sensors configured to measure or record tire pressure data and TPS phase data, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that can comprise circuitry and/or sensors configured to process the speed sensor data and TPS data. TPMS systems and methods utilize a reference position index transmitted by the TPS to determine a constant value pattern of WSS data representative of a specific tire in order to localize the set of tires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robotic cleaning device having a main body, a cleaning portion configured to clean a floor of an area of interest, and a propulsion system configured to move the robotic cleaning device across a surface of the area. The robotic cleaning device may further include an obstacle detecting device and a processing unit, the processing unit being configured to control the propulsion system, wherein the obstacle detecting device is configured to monitor a perimeter of at least part of the area and to follow and continuously record a position of an object, while the object is moving along the perimeter. The processing unit is configured to create positional data of the perimeter out of the continuously recorded positions.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for motor vehicles, having a velocity regulation function for regulating the velocity of the subject vehicle to a nominal velocity, and having an adjacent-lane monitoring function, characterized by a turning assistance function which, when the velocity regulation function is active and an incoming signal indicates an imminent turning process that requires crossing an adjacent lane, monitors the traffic in the adjacent lane with the aid of the adjacent-lane monitoring function, and, as a function of locations and velocities of traffic participants in the adjacent lane, determines a spatial and temporal window for moving into the adjacent lane and adapts the nominal velocity to this window.

Abstract: Provided is a mini integrated control device including a first control unit for receiving large-scale sensor data generated while an autonomous driving robot is operated and performing large-scale calculations in parallel, a second control unit for performing the large-scale calculations in parallel together with the first control unit, a micro control unit for monitoring a state of power of the robot, monitoring obstacles located near the robot, controlling a motor of the robot, controlling a relay module of the robot, and communicating with the first control unit, and a power supply for controlling supply of power.

Abstract: Position identification means (7) for estimating the position of a mobile robot (1) includes a laser distance sensor (6) that measures a distance from the mobile robot (1) to an object, means for recognizing an object from data of the measured distance from the mobile robot (1) to the object and map data, travel area storage means (12) for storing a travel area of the mobile robot (1), specified area storage means (13) for storing a specified area that is separate from the travel area of the mobile robot (1), and object determination means (14) for determining whether an object is present within the travel area of the mobile robot (1) that is stored in the travel area storage means (12).

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cruise control module, an engine control module, and a brake control module. The cruise control module determines a cruise torque request based on at least one of a following distance of a vehicle and a rate at which the vehicle is approaching an object. The engine control module determines a negative torque capacity of a powertrain. The powertrain includes an engine and an electric motor. The brake control module applies a friction brake when the cruise torque request is less than the negative torque capacity of the powertrain.

Abstract: A control system and related method for controlling the machine in a mine. The control system may comprise a LADAR, an interface device, a processor and an AECM. The LADAR may be configured to capture scan data of physical mine walls. The interface device may be configured to display a mine map illustrating a section of the mine. The processor may be configured to add a virtual wall to the mine map in response to a first user input. The processor may be configured to add a temporary wall to the mine map in response to a second user input. The temporary wall may be based on scan data of a physical mine wall captured by the LADAR. The AECM is configured to control an operation of the machine, based on the mine map, to avoid collision of the machine with the virtual wall or the temporary wall.

Abstract: A braking device for a motor vehicle has a setpoint controlled deceleration device, which, upon receipt of a braking request input by a driver or an assistance system, for example, on the basis of a difference between a setpoint value and an actual value, drives a brake of the vehicle to generate a setpoint controlled braking torque for a deceleration of the motor vehicle. In addition, the braking device has a braking preparation control, which, upon receipt of a braking preparation signal, drives the brake independently of the setpoint value to produce at least one braking pressure for generating a preparation braking torque for a pre-deceleration of the motor vehicle. The braking preparation signal is generated as soon as a driving situation is ascertained where a braking request input by a driver or an assistance system is very likely imminent.

Abstract: A robot cleaner which does not stop to change a traveling direction thereof, and a control method thereof includes setting a territory about which cleaning will be performed based on position data acquired during traveling about a cleaning area, predetermining a cleaning path to clean the territory about which cleaning will be performed, and if the cleaning path includes a zigzag traveling path, changing the traveling direction of the robot cleaner by executing curved traveling of the robot cleaner during traveling along the zigzag traveling path, thus decreasing the time required to clean an area during a change of the traveling direction of the robot cleaner.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for providing an assistive driving force to a wheelchair. The system comprises a power assist system which includes a motion sensing system that is configured to detect the motion of the power assist system, and hence of the wheelchair, and a power assist drive system that is configured to provide an assistive drive force. The system also comprises a sensor, such as may be embedded in a wearable wristband, that is configured to detect the motion of a user's hand and that is in communication with the power assist system. The system may be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually pushed based at least in part on the user motion, and to activate an assistive drive force in response to a manual push. The system may also be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually braked based at least in part on the user motion, and to deactivate an assistive drive force in response to a manual brake.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for outputting light are presented. A method includes outputting, via a propagation wave source and toward a field of view (FOV), at least one propagated wave at a first power, receiving, via a sensor, a reflection of the at least one propagated wave at the first power reflected off one or more objects within the FOV, classifying, via a processor, one or more areas within the FOV into safe areas and unsafe areas based at least in part on the received reflection of the propagated wave at the first power, wherein the safe areas are deemed to be safe to receive at least one propagated wave at a second power, and outputting, via the propagation wave source and toward the safe area, the at least one propagated wave at the second power. The first power may be a lower power than the second power.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling an electronic parking brake are provided to prevent collision with a preceding vehicle by generating additional target clamping force through interoperation with an advanced emergency brake system (AEBS) to improve performance of the AEBS. The apparatus includes an electric parking brake (EPB) that generates target clamping force and an information collector that collects a primary warning signal and a primary demanded deceleration by interoperating with an AEBS. A controller operates the EPB to perform a preparation process for braking when the primary warning signal is collected and perform braking until a primary actual deceleration corresponding to the primary demanded deceleration is measured when the primary demanded deceleration is collected.

Abstract: A driver assistance system enables accelerate awareness of a danger source by the driver of a motor vehicle. The driver assistance system includes a display field that, from the viewpoint of the driver, is larger than a primary field of vision, which can be scanned without eye movement on the part of the vehicle driver. The driver assistance system also includes a control unit for displaying signs at different locations in the display field, and a hazard detection unit for detecting at least the direction in which a hazard outside the vehicle is located from the viewpoint of the driver. The control unit is configured to first display a preliminary signal in a preferred direction from the viewpoint of the driver, and then to display at least a first follow-up signal in an intermediate direction between the preferred direction and the direction in which the danger source is located.

Abstract: A method for an overtaking assistant for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is equipped with environment sensing systems for detecting objects in the own and an adjacent lane on the sides and at the rear of the vehicle. The space in front of the vehicle is preferably detected by environmental sensors as well. Autonomous cutting into an adjacent lane is only initiated if a first vehicle is detected in the adjacent lane. The first vehicle is taken as a reference for a speed of vehicles in the passing lane. It is also assumed that a second vehicle that approaches the first vehicle fast in the same lane has detected the first vehicle and will adjust its speed to the speed of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A parking assistance system is provided for carrying out an automated parking maneuver of a motor vehicle into a perpendicular parking space transversely with respect to the roadway along a parking trajectory to a parked end position. The parking assistance system is configured to determine an offset between the extent of one object in the direction of the roadway on one side of the parking space and the extent of another object in the direction of the roadway on the other side of the space by way of a sensor system. The parking assistance system is configured to determine a parking trajectory with a parked end position based on the offset.

Abstract: A travel control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a travel environment information acquisition unit that acquires travel environment information on a travel environment where the vehicle travels; a travel information detector that detects travel information on the vehicle; and an overtaking controller that detects an overtaking target vehicle ahead of the vehicle in an identical travel lane on the basis of the travel environment information and the travel information, and overtakes the overtaking target vehicle using automatic driving control.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit that stores object identification data for identifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; an environment map storage unit that stores an environment map representing a position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generated based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as being operable based on the object identification data, out of the objects included in the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

Abstract: An operation control system for a mining machine includes, based on travel path information including at least information on moisture content of a travel path on which a mining machine operating at a mine runs, and position information being information on a position of a travel path corresponding to the travel path information, generating speed limit information for changing a speed limit for the mining machine to run on the travel path corresponding to the travel path information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for suppressing or deactivating a lane keeping assist (LKA) system in a host vehicle. The method may include retrieving environmental data from a data gathering system, determining a current lane width based on the environmental data retrieved from the data gathering system, and comparing the current lane width with a pre-set lane width. The method may also include determining that the current lane width is smaller than the pre-set lane width, detecting the presence of an obstacle on the traveling path which obstacle will be passed by the host vehicle or which obstacle will pass the host vehicle within a pre-determined time period, and deactivating or suppressing the lane keeping assist (LKA) system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying an object along a road, where the object may be represented by a bounding box, and projecting a set of obstacle points within the bounding box corresponding to the identified object. In one aspect, a two-dimensional plane oriented perpendicular to a direction of the movement of the vehicle may be identified. In another aspect, the areas of the plane that may be occupied based on the set of obstacle points may be determined to generate a contour of the identified object. Thereafter, the height profiles of the identified object and the vehicle may be determined and identified, respectively. Based on the height profiles, a minimum clearance may be determined.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a detection and avoidance apparatus for an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) and systems, devices, and techniques pertaining to automated object detection and avoidance during UAV flight. The system may detect objects within the UAV's airspace through acoustic, visual, infrared, multispectral, hyperspectral, or object detectable signal emitted or reflected from an object. The system may identify the source of the object detectable signal by comparing features of the received signal with known sources signals in a database. The features may be, for example, a light arrangement or number of lights associated with the object. Furthermore, a trajectory envelope for the object may be determined based on characteristic performance parameters for the object such as cursing speed, maneuverability, etc. The UAV may determine an optimized flight plan based on the trajectory envelopes of detected objects within the UAV's airspace to avoid the detected objects.

Abstract: A lane centering system for use in a vehicle driving in a lane on a road includes a lane delimiter detection device having a camera with a field of view that encompasses the road ahead of the vehicle. Based on processing of captured image data, a controller determines the positions of left and right lane delimiters on the road. The controller is operable to establish a target path for the vehicle that maintains the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle generally centered between the left lane delimiter and the right lane delimiter. The controller is automatically activated to control steering the vehicle along the target path when the speed of the vehicle is at or above a first speed level. When having activated control of steering, the controller automatically deactivates control of steering when the speed of the vehicle falls to at or below a second speed level.

Abstract: An in-vehicle control device includes a first sensor that acquires obstacle information in a first detection range, a second sensor that acquires obstacle information in a second detection range, the second detection range is nearer to a host vehicle than the first detection range, and a processor configured to perform predetermined control for preventing collision with an obstacle or for reducing damage at collision time based on the obstacle information received from the first sensor and the second sensor and, when the obstacle is not detected by the first sensor and the second sensor after starting the predetermined control based on the obstacle information received from the first sensor, uses positional relation information to determine whether the predetermined control is to be continued wherein the positional relation information indicates a height-direction positional relation between a predetermined part of the obstacle and the first detection range or the second detection range.

Abstract: A system and method for management of airspace for unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The system and method comprises administration of the airspace including designation of flyways and zones with reference to features in the region. The system and method comprises administration of aircraft including registration of aircraft and mission. A monitoring system tracks conditions and aircraft traffic in the airspace. Aircraft may be configured to transact with the management system including to obtain rights/priority by license and to operate in the airspace under direction of the system. The system and aircraft may be configured for dynamic transactions (e.g. licensing/routing). The system will set rates for licenses and use/access to the airspace and aircraft will be billed/pay for use/access of the airspace at rates using data from data sources.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle is provided with a smart cruise control (SCC) system. The vehicle determines whether a neighboring vehicle sensed by a blind spot detection (BSD) device meets a particular condition. When the neighboring vehicle meets the particular condition, the speed of the vehicle is adjusted based on a comparison result between the vehicle speed and neighboring vehicle speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for receiving desired sounds. The system includes a position sensor configured to determine an occupant position of an occupant engaging in speech within a defined space and transmit the speaking occupant position. A plurality of microphones are configured to receive sound from within the defined space and transmit audio signals corresponding to the received sound. A processor, in communication with the position sensor and the microphones, is configured to receive the speaking occupant position and the audio signals, apply a beamformer to the audio signals to direct a microphone beam toward the occupant position, and generate a beamformer output signal.

Abstract: A drive assist apparatus includes an arrival window time calculation unit configured to calculate an arrival window time before the vehicle arrives at a switching completion point, a driving concentration degree estimation unit configured to estimate a driving concentration degree of a driver based on a state of the driver when the arrival window time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, and a stimulation providing unit configured to provide a stimulus to the driver according to the driving concentration degree. In a case where the driving concentration degree is equal to or less than a threshold value set in advance, the stimulation providing unit provides a stimulus to the driver, which is stronger than that in a case where the driving concentration degree is greater than the threshold value, or provides a stronger stimulus to the driver in accordance with reduction in the driving concentration degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a route evaluation device that enables traveling along a route in consideration of an operation of the driver of another vehicle, and can realize a safer traffic environment. A route evaluation device includes a route candidate generation section that generates route candidates of a host-vehicle, a route prediction section that predicts routes of another vehicle, a classification section that classifies the interference states of the route candidates of the host-vehicle and the predicted routes of another vehicle into a plurality of interference forms, and a route evaluation section that evaluates the routes of the host-vehicle on the basis of the interference forms classified by the classification section.

Abstract: A vehicle, vehicle system and method for increasing at least one of safety and comfort during autonomous driving is provided. The vehicle system includes an autonomous drive arrangement with multiple sensors, a vehicle control arrangement and a positioning system. The vehicle system is configured to determine an estimated probability that at least one sensor will become unavailable, or an estimated time/distance ahead until at least one sensor is determined to become unavailable. The vehicle system is further configured to activate at least one countermeasure based on at least one of the estimated probability, the estimated time and the estimated distance.

Abstract: A method and a following space management unit of a host vehicle for managing a following space are disclosed. The following space management unit obtains a set of parameters including one or more of a difference parameter, indicating a difference between a velocity of the host vehicle and a speed limit for the host vehicle at a current location, and a road marking parameter, indicating whether a surrounding vehicle is allowed to enter the current lane. The following space management unit determines the following space based on the set of parameters.