Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a map creation system and a map creating method capable of accurately creating road data on map data used for estimating a road being travelled by a vehicle. A map creation system includes a trajectory data creation unit creating trajectory data of a vehicle travelling in a predetermined area on a first road on the basis of positional information of the vehicle, a representative point extraction unit extracting, of created plural pieces of the trajectory data, representative points located on a side of a second road different from the first road, and a road data creation unit creating data for the first road on map data on the basis of the plural representative points extracted for respective plural predetermined areas.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle equipped with cruise control while traveling downhill. The method involves driving a vehicle downhill with the cruise control set to a brake speed; detecting a current vehicle speed; applying the auxiliary brake to maintain the brake speed; detecting a request for a downshift from a current gear to a lower gear; and determining if a downshift is permissible at the current speed. If a downshift is not permissible, then a control unit automatically applies the service brakes to retard the vehicle speed; retarding the vehicle from a current speed to a lower speed at which a downshift to a lower gear is permissible; and performing a downshift to a lower gear when the second vehicle speed is reached. The cruise control is set to a second brake speed lower than the first brake speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driving assistant adapted for active control of a vehicle based on predictions of a behavior of a detected object. A method aspect of the invention comprises accepting a first prediction of a behavior associated with the detected object from a first prediction subsystem and a second prediction from a second prediction subsystem; determining a control signal based on a combination of the first prediction and the second prediction; and initiating active control of the vehicle based on the control signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, cruise control of an automotive vehicle in a fuel economy cruise control mode controls vehicle speed to be within a fuel economy speed band about a cruise control set speed so that instantaneous fuel economy is at least equal to average fuel economy.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle equipped with brake cruise control when the vehicle is travelling downhill are provided. The method involves driving a vehicle downhill with the brake set speed set to a first brake set speed; detecting a current vehicle speed; automatically applying a brake torque using at least an auxiliary brake to maintain the first brake set speed; and detecting a manual application of a vehicle service brake, in order to decrease vehicle speed. If a control unit detects that the driver is applying the service brake, then the control unit is automatically arranged to set the brake set speed to a second brake set speed that is lower than the first brake set speed; and to apply a brake torque using at least the auxiliary brake if a detected current vehicle speed exceeds the second brake set speed.

Abstract: A PCM (14) for controlling a behavior of a vehicle (1) having steerable front road wheels is configured to perform a control to reduce a driving force for the vehicle (1) according to a yaw rate-related quantity (e.g., steering speed) of the vehicle (1). Specifically, the PCM (14) is configured, after reducing the driving force in response to a change in the yaw rate-related quantity and according to the yaw rate-related quantity being changing, to increase the driving force so as to restore a value of the driving force before the reduction, and the PCM (14) is operable, when increasing the driving force so as to restore a value of the driving force before the reduction, to change a change rate during the increasing of the driving force, according to a magnitude of the yaw rate-related quantity thereduring.

Abstract: A cruise control system controls fuel supplied to an engine of a motor vehicle based in part on whether the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient, a negative gradient, or a level surface. The system includes a sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, an inclinometer for detecting a gradient of a surface over which the vehicle is traveling; and an electronic processor operative to set a fuel flow rate. The fuel flow rate is set as a function of the accelerator pedal position detected at an activation time of the cruise control system, and that fuel flow rate is maintained at a constant rate if the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient or a level surface. The vehicle therefore slows down on the positive gradient rather than maintaining a target speed as with a conventional cruise control system.

Abstract: A brake system includes: brake cylinders; electromagnetic valve devices respectively corresponding to the brake cylinders and capable of individually controlling hydraulic pressures in the respective brake cylinders; pumps respectively connected to the brake cylinders; one pump motor driven in common with the pumps; and a brake-hydraulic-pressure controller that controls the electromagnetic valve devices and the one pump motor to control the hydraulic pressures in the respective brake cylinders.

Abstract: A braking control device for a vehicle is provided, which includes an operating amount detecting part configured to detect an operating amount of a brake pedal, a reaction-force giving part configured to generate a reaction force of the brake pedal, a braking-force generating part configured to generate a braking force for wheels, and an ECU electrically connected with them and configured to control the reaction-force giving part and the braking-force generating part, and set a braking characteristic in which the reaction force according to a stepping force of the brake pedal and a deceleration of the vehicle have a logarithmic relationship, and when the reaction force is above a given reaction force. The ECU controls the braking-force generating part based on the braking characteristic while making the deceleration for the reaction force higher than the logarithmic relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive cruise control for defensive driving are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving input object data from a subsystem of an autonomous vehicle, the input object data including distance data and velocity data relative to a lead vehicle; generating a weighted distance differential corresponding to a weighted difference between an actual distance between the autonomous vehicle and the lead vehicle and a desired distance between the autonomous vehicle and the lead vehicle; generating a weighted velocity differential corresponding to a weighted difference between a velocity of the autonomous vehicle and a velocity of the lead vehicle; combining the weighted distance differential and the weighted velocity differential with the velocity of the lead vehicle to produce a velocity command for the autonomous vehicle; and controlling the autonomous vehicle to conform to the velocity command.

Abstract: A method for the automated control of the longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle having an automated positive acceleration process in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an automated deceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An acceleration variable is determined based on a jerk value and limited in terms of absolute value. And the jerk value is in turn determined in a driving mode in which, starting from a vehicle actual longitudinal speed and a vehicle actual longitudinal acceleration, the motor vehicle is adjusted to a predeterminable vehicle longitudinal speed taking into account a predeterminable maximum positive driving mode vehicle longitudinal acceleration, a predeterminable maximum driving mode vehicle longitudinal deceleration and at least one predeterminable driving operating mode jerk absolute value which limits the jerk.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to apparatus, methods, and non-transitory storage medium for controlling the maximum speed of a vehicle as that vehicle travels along a route. Apparatus and methods consistent with the present disclosure may receive location information from an electronic device that is located at a vehicle and may provide information to the electronic device at that controls the maximum speed of the vehicle as speed limits change along the route.

Abstract: A method and a first apparatus for furnishing a signal for operating at least two vehicles along a first trajectory, having a step of ascertaining first environmental data values by way of at least one sensor of the at least two vehicles, the first environmental data values representing a first environment of the at least two vehicles; and a step of ascertaining second environmental data values from an external server, the second environmental data values representing a second environment, dependent on the first trajectory, of the at least two vehicles, the first environment being encompassed by the second environment. The method furthermore encompasses a step of determining data values on the basis of the first and second environmental data values, and a step of furnishing a signal, on the basis of the determined data values, for operating the at least two vehicles.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of coasting during operation of a vehicle equipped with a predictive cruise control system.

Abstract: A limp-home control method and a system for hybrid vehicles which can minimize vehicle vibration (jerk) and improve operability by driving an engine with counter electromotive force and locking up an engine clutch with a difference between an engine speed and a motor speed minimized when a high voltage to an inverter is interrupted due to a failure of a high voltage system of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for longitudinal control of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having an engine and a braking system. The method including receiving a torque demand from a controller for controlling the speed of the vehicle, and providing a torque on the basis of this torque demand, whereby, depending on the value of the torque demand, a brake torque counteracts the torque demand to control longitudinal vehicle movement.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, at an electronic processor, a limit for a forward velocity setpoint of the autonomous vehicle based a range of a forward facing sensor and detecting whether a preceding vehicle is in a field of view of the forward facing sensor. The method includes determining a speed of the preceding vehicle, and when the preceding vehicle is in the field of view of the autonomous vehicle, adjusting the limit based on the speed of the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A gear shift mechanism controlled by a gear shift control device includes a plurality of engagement mechanisms and engages three engagement mechanisms to establish any one of a plurality of shift stages. The gear shift control device is adapted to change speed to a desired shift stage set by a manual operation. If a gear shift to the desired shift stage involves the skipping of one or more shift stages and the switching of two or more engagement mechanisms among the plurality of engagement mechanisms that are currently engaged, then the gear shift control device performs the gear shift to the desired shift stage such that the engagement mechanisms to be switched via a shift stage or stages to be skipped are switched one by one.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a requested torque acquisition module that acquires a requested torque requested to a motor that drives a wheel; a control subject designation module that designates one of a wheel speed and a motor rotation speed as a control subject on the basis of the requested torque; and a control module that performs feedback control in a manner that the control subject designated by the control subject designation module becomes equal to a target value.

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: A vehicle system includes a processor programmed to establish communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, identify one of the vehicles as a towing vehicle and the other as a towed vehicle, and limit operation of the towing vehicle according to constraints associated with the towed vehicle. In some implementations, the vehicle system detects that the towing vehicle is flat-towing the towed vehicle and that the towed vehicle is not operating in a neutral tow mode.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electronic, automatic transmission incorporates a safety stop system. A position sensor or sensors are mounted onto the vehicle and are in communication with an electric controller. The electric controller in turn is operatively connected to the actuation solenoids in the hydraulic transmission. When a safety violation occurance is detected, then the electric controller either slows the speed of the vehicle or stops the vehicle through the transmission.

Abstract: A brake control device capable of suppressing a sense of discomfort felt by a driver. The brake control device (31) includes a braking command addition part (34A) for adding an automatic-brake braking command value (B) output from an automatic-brake braking command calculation part (32) and a pedal operation braking command value (A) output from a pedal operation braking command calculation part (34B). The pedal operation braking command calculation part includes a pedal operation braking command selection part (34B1), a normal brake characteristic part (34B2) for holding a normal brake characteristic, and an automatic brake characteristic part (34B3) for holding an automatic brake characteristic. The pedal operation braking command selection part selects a braking command value output from the automatic brake characteristic part when the automatic-brake braking command value is more than 0, and outputs the selection result to the braking command addition part as the pedal operation braking command value.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a combustion engine configured to output a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand, and a traction electric machine to generate a supplemental torque to selectively supplement the propulsion torque. The propulsion system also includes a controller programmed to forecast an acceleration demand based on at least one estimation model. The controller is also programmed to issue a command indicative of a required axle torque corresponding to the acceleration demand. The controller is further programmed to engage at least one fuel conservation action in response to the required axle torque being within a first predetermined torque threshold range.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary method for optimizing vehicle performance. The method includes determining an optimized drive torque for maximizing vehicle fuel economy and detecting a driver requested drive torque. A determination is made on whether the driver requested drive torque is performance related or safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the optimized drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is not performance and safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the driver requested drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is either performance or safety related.

Abstract: This brake ECU executes vehicle downhill control for adjusting the braking force to be applied to a vehicle by actuating a brake actuator such that the vehicle body speed does not exceed a target speed. Also, in cases where the accelerator pedal is being operated in a state where the vehicle downhill control is being executed, the brake ECU changes the target speed such that, the longer the operation duration which is the duration for which the accelerator is operated, the higher the target speed.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for tracking a preceding vehicle includes information acquiring unit for acquiring information about surrounding the own vehicle, preceding vehicle determining unit for determining the preceding vehicle running ahead of the own vehicle, control unit controls the tracking control to be maintained or released, and turn signal determining unit for determining whether or not a turn signal of a turn signal unit of the preceding vehicle is active. The control unit maintains or releases the tracking control by determining the surrounding of the own vehicle concerning a traffic lane change by the preceding vehicle based on the information acquired by the information acquiring unit, when the turn signal determining unit determines that the turn signal of the turn signal unit is active.

Abstract: A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for optimizing load position in relation to a plurality of transportation vehicles comprising at least one master vehicle and at least one slave vehicle, the arrangement comprising a platform arranged to the at least one slave vehicle for receiving a load; an actuating device of the at least one slave vehicle for moving the platform in relation to the at least one slave vehicle; a sensing device configured to generate a vehicle sensing signal and/or a non-vehicle sensing signal; an a controlling device of the at least one master vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an airspeed adaptive cruise control system on ground vehicles that automatically slows vehicle groundspeed during headwinds and increases groundspeed during tailwinds. This behavior acts to reduce the energy cost associated with headwinds and capture the energy benefit obtained with tailwinds. In the method, multiple operating modes are presented that can be user selected to optimize on minimum energy consumption, fastest average speed while still harvesting energy from tailwinds, and a balance in between the two methods. The system utilizes multiple sensors, such as airspeed, groundspeed, and vehicle proximity detectors to provide reliable system functionality in a wide range of operating conditions. In some implementations, a combined speedometer with groundspeed and airspeed indicator dials is used to quickly communicate the condition and magnitude of headwinds or tailwinds.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that has a torque sensor which detects a steering torque, and a motor control apparatus to control the motor which applies an assist torque, by which steering is assisted, to a steering system of a vehicle, including: a function that switches a control system of the motor between an angle control system to control an angle corresponding to an angle control command value of an automatic steering mode and a torque control system to control a torque corresponding to a torque control command value of a manual steering mode in accordance with a predetermined switching trigger, wherein the steering apparatus variably sets a gradual-changing time corresponding to a command value difference between the angle control command value and the torque control command value when switching from the angle control system to the torque control system by using a gradual-changing.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a vehicle through a mining environment to a target destination is presented. The system and method may be utilized to avoid contention in the mining environment. A route through the mining environment to the target destination for the vehicle is identified and a first speed profile for at least a portion of the route is determined. A potential contention condition associated with the route is identified and the potential contention condition along the route is used to determine a second speed profile for at least a portion of the route. An optimized speed profile is determined using the first speed profile and the second speed profile, and at least a portion of the optimized speed profile is communicated to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for assisting a driver of a vehicle. The method may include performing a lateral control of the vehicle in an autonomous mode, determining information about a surroundings of the vehicle, checking whether a longitudinal control of the vehicle performed by the driver is appropriate considering the determined information about the surroundings, and, if appropriate, continuing an autonomous mode of the lateral control of the vehicle. A driver assist system is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a receiver to receive a signal corresponding to a traveling speed of a lead vehicle, a response device that generates an alert to warn of a change in the traveling speed of the lead vehicle, and a control device coupled to the receiver and the response device, wherein the receiver sends a signal to the control device corresponding to the traveling speed of the lead vehicle and the control device operates the response device in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the signal comprises one or more of infrared, radio frequency, wireless, WiFi, and Bluetooth®. In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a speed control system coupled to the control device, wherein the control device operates the speed control system in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for enabling vehicles to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle an have significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. By directly commanding the engine torque and braking of the following vehicle while controlling the gap between vehicles using a sensor system, and additionally using a communication link between vehicles that allows information about vehicle actions, such as braking events, to be anticipated by the following vehicle, a Semi-Autonomous Vehicular Convoying System that enables vehicles to follow closely together in a safe, efficient and convenient manner may be achieved.

Abstract: A vehicle speed limit apparatus includes a processor configured to calculate a demand value, calculate a pre-correction upper limit value based on a limit acceleration, correct the pre-correction upper limit value based on a first accumulated value to calculate a first upper limit value, correct the pre-correction upper limit value based on a maximum drive force of a drive force generation apparatus and the current acceleration to calculate a second upper limit value, select the smaller of the demand value and the second upper limit value when the first upper limit value exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to the maximum drive force, and select the smaller of the demand value and the first upper limit value when the first upper limit value does not exceed the predetermined threshold, and control the drive force generation apparatus to generate the drive force corresponding to the selected value.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided that can maintain an automatic engine stop function when an abnormality occurs in a preceding vehicle following control function. The vehicle control apparatus includes a first control unit configured to include a preceding vehicle following control function to control vehicle speed, based on a traveling state of a preceding vehicle, and to output a prohibition request to an automatic engine stop function; and a second control unit configured to include the automatic engine stop function, and to maintain the automatic engine stop function, contrary to the prohibition request output from the first control unit, when an abnormality occurs in the preceding vehicle following control function.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of cruise speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes. A cruise speed controller can be structured to predict a change in speed of vehicle in light of an upcoming terrain feature, and lead a change in reference speed to which the cruise speed controller is regulating vehicle speed to accommodate the upcoming terrain feature. In one embodiment a physics based model of the vehicle is used to predict a speed change. If predicted speed change exceeds a threshold, the cruise speed controller will initiate a change in speed to either speed up for an upcoming uphill terrain feature, or slow down for an upcoming downhill feature. In one form the distance in advance of the terrain feature as well as the velocity change profile (acceleration or deceleration) are determined by computation of a regression formula.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering apparatus comprising a combined angular position and torque sensor assembly comprising an upper column shaft that in use is operatively connected to a steering wheel of the vehicle, a lower column shaft that in use is operatively connected to the road wheels of the vehicle, a torsion bar that interconnects the upper column shaft and the lower column shaft, a first and a second torque signal generating means that each generate a first torque signal based on angular deflection of the torsion bar, an absolute position signal generating means that in use produces an absolute upper column position signal indicative of the angular position of the upper column shaft, an electric motor that is connected to the lower column shaft of the torque sensor assembly, and a motor position sensor carried by the motor that provides a motor position signal dependent on the angular position of the motor rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powertrain control system (1) for a vehicle. The powertrain control system (1) includes a torque limit calculator (47) for generating a torque control signal based (57) on one or more vehicle operating parameters. A torque request module (43) is provided for generating a torque request signal (45) and a torque control module (7) controls the torque applied by the powertrain. The torque control module (7) is configured to receive the torque request signal (45) from the torque request module (43) and the torque control signal (57) from the torque limit calculator (47) and to control the torque applied by the powertrain in dependence on the torque request signal (45) and the torque control signal (57). The present invention also relates to a control system; and a method of operating a powertrain control system.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of safety devices of a vehicle includes determining whether there is a possibility of a collision with a preceding vehicle on the basis of vehicle driving information, determining occupancy information of a passenger or a type of a passenger or determining whether a passenger has fastened a seat belt using vehicle sensor information, and determining whether to apply, and applying accordingly, full braking, a full braking profile, or an airbag deployment scheme according to the occupancy information of a passenger, the type of the passenger, or whether the passenger has fastened a seat belt when a possibility of a collision is determined, and fully retracting the passenger's seat belt before full braking is applied after partial braking is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stereo camera, a vehicle driving assistance device comprising the same, and a vehicle. A stereo camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first lens, a first image sensor to sense a first image including a grey color and a first color on the basis of light which is incident through the first lens, a second lens separated from the first lens by a predetermined distance, and a second image sensor to sense a second image including the grey color and a second color on the basis of light which is incident through the second lens. Accordingly, the stereo camera may acquire a disparity map and a RGB image.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus includes a target course setter, a first control quantity calculator, a second control quantity calculator, a control rate variator, and a steering controller. The target course setter sets, based on forward environment information, a target course to be traveled by an own vehicle. The first control quantity calculator calculates a first control quantity that allows the own vehicle to travel along the target course. The second control quantity calculator calculates a second control quantity based on a steering angle. The control rate variator variably sets, in accordance with a vehicle speed, a first rate of the first control quantity and a second rate of the second control quantity. The steering controller calculates a steering control quantity, based on the first control quantity corrected based on the first rate and the second control quantity corrected based on the second rate, and executes a steering control.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a speed detector detecting a vehicle speed, a brake system and a control system implementing a control mode including determining a threshold speed. The control system further derives an initial brake torque demand proportional to an error between the threshold speed and a vehicle speed exceeding the threshold speed and outputs to the brake system a rate-limited brake torque demand by applying a rate-limit operator based on the error to the initial brake torque demand.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle having a plurality of wheels. The vehicle speed control system is configured to automatically control the speed of the vehicle in dependence on an input target set-speed. The system carries out a method that includes: applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels; receiving a user input of a target set-speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and applying torque to the at least one of the plurality of wheels for propelling the vehicle at a vehicle control speed. The system further controls the vehicle control speed as a function of at least one of the instantaneous vehicle speed and the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling.

Abstract: A control unit for a vehicle comprises an automatic engine stop-and-restart unit for stopping the engine responsive to predefined stop conditions and for restarting the engine responsive to predefined restart conditions, and a following-cruise control unit for controlling the vehicle to follow a vehicle ahead responsive to predefined following-cruise conditions. The automatic stop-and-restart unit for stopping and restarting the engine is configured to modify at least one of the stop conditions and the restart conditions during the following-cruise control.

Abstract: A driving force controller for an electric vehicle includes a feed-forward compensator for computing a second target driving force so as to suppress overshooting of an actual driving force that is actually outputted, with respect to a first target driving force requested by a driver, the feed-forward compensator includes a first transfer function expressing a characteristic that the actual driving force becomes a predetermined response with respect to the first target driving force; and an inverse of a second transfer function approximately expressing a transmission characteristic between a input target driving force and the actual driving force in a control system except the feed-forward compensator.

Abstract: A vehicle travelling control device is configured to cause a vehicle to automatically travel along the target lateral position set in a travelling lane in advance. The device includes a peripheral information detection unit configured to detect peripheral information of the vehicle, a preceding vehicle recognition unit configured to recognize a position of the preceding vehicle in an adjacent lane which is adjacent to the travelling lane based on the peripheral information detection unit, and a travel control unit configured to cause the vehicle to automatically travel along a separated lateral position which is separated from the target lateral position at the opposite side of the adjacent lane side in a case where a lost duration that is a continuous period of time during which the position of the preceding vehicle is lost in the preceding vehicle recognition unit reaches a first predetermined time.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing shift cycling for low speed engine operation with a vehicle cruise control. A vehicle control system operating in a cruise control mode determines a deficiency in vehicle speed between a measured vehicle speed and a cruise set speed. The deficiency is determined by comparing the vehicle speed to the cruise set speed, and includes using the compared valued to find a cruise speed margin, which is continuously updated. While the cruise control system is active, the control system logic determines the time at which a transmission upshift occurs based on the cruise speed margin. The vehicle speed, at which the upshift is made, is determined as a function of the updated cruise speed margin. An upshift is not made, if a likely drop in vehicle speed would result in the event a downshift would occur once the upshift is made.

Abstract: A technique is provided in which detection of an impending collision results in the vehicle's control system taking steps to minimize damage to the passenger cabin, thereby increasing passenger safety. In particular, once an object is detected in the vehicle's pathway, the on-board controller determines whether or not a collision with the object (e.g., an on-coming car or a stationary object) is imminent. Once the system determines that a collision is imminent, the controller (i) deactivates the car's anti-lock braking system, (ii) locks-up the wheels, and (iii) rotates the front wheels to minimize intrusion of the wheels into the passenger cabin. The system may be configured to tailor the response to an imminent collision based on (i) vehicle speed, and (ii) probable impact area.