Abstract: A vehicle for improved user authentication is provided. The vehicle includes a biometric sensor; and a controller programmed to initiate a biometric authentication of a user within a vicinity of a vehicle using data received from the biometric sensor, and responsive to occurrence of a secondary trigger condition initiated by the user to gain access to the vehicle, complete the authentication to grant or deny access to the user. A system for remote management of lockout states for a vehicle is provided. A server is programmed to receive a lockout notification from the vehicle, responsive to occurrence of a failed access attempt using an access modality, the lockout notification including contextual information with respect to the occurrence of the failed access attempt; and send, responsive to the lockout notification, an indication of an administrative action to be performed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A control device, based on a detection result of first equipment that detects a first state of a vehicle, displays information corresponding to a predetermined event on a display device that displays a detection result of second equipment that detects a second state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle driving assist apparatus acquires a collision index value which represents a magnitude of a collision of an own vehicle and a dozing level of a driver of the own vehicle, and executes a secondary collision reducing control of executing a forcibly-decelerating process of forcibly decelerating the own vehicle when a light collision condition is satisfied, and a dozing condition is satisfied. The vehicle driving assist apparatus executes the forcibly-decelerating process so as to decelerate the own vehicle with controlling a deceleration of the own vehicle such that the deceleration of the vehicle realized when the light collision condition and the dozing condition become satisfied, and the dozing level is relatively low, is smaller than the deceleration of the own vehicle realized when the deceleration when the light collision condition and the dozing condition become satisfied, and the dozing level is relatively high.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant assistance apparatus predicts acceleration occurring when a vehicle is traveling. When a make-up mode is activated, assistance information is notified before a predetermined value of the acceleration occurs, based on predicted values of the acceleration. Thus, since the assistance information is notified to an occupant before the vehicle shakes due to the predetermined value of the acceleration, assistance taking a shake of the vehicle into consideration can be rendered to the occupant who applies make-up when the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A restraint system (10) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle (20) having a roof (32) and a cabin (40) with a seat (50) for the occupant (60) includes an airbag (70) having a stored condition within the roof (32) and being inflatable to a deployed condition extending into the cabin (40) and aligned with the seat (50). First and second tethers (110, 120) each have a first end (112, 122) connected to the airbag and a second end (114, 124). A first retractor (140) is connected to the vehicle (20) and to the second end (114) of the first tether (110). A second retractor (150) is connected to the vehicle (20) and to the second end (124) of the second tether (120). The first and second retractors (140, 150) control the length of each of the first and second tethers (110, 120) when the airbag (60) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of activating a wearable device, the method comprising the step of detecting an electromagnetic field generated by a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) transmitter within a detection range of an electromagnetic field detection circuit of the wearable device. In response to detecting the electromagnetic signal, the method further contemplates emitting a trigger signal to trigger a flip-flop, wherein triggering the flip-flop causes a switching transistor to switch between at least one of an activated state and a deactivated state, and wherein causing the switching transistor to switch between at least one of the activated state and the deactivated state, switches a connection between an electronic circuit and a power supply between at least one of a on state and an off state.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention are an inertial regulation method of active suspensions based on terrain ahead of a vehicle and a control system thereof. According to the scanned terrain ahead of the vehicle, a center of mass trajectory and attitude history are calculated when the vehicle passes through the terrain ahead of the vehicle with passive suspensions. After smoothing the trajectory, the active suspension is controlled to make the vehicle drives according to the smoothed trajectory. During this period, a smoothness coefficient is adjusted to make each suspension stroke be limited within a limit stroke, and according to the supporting force and stroke of each active suspension calculated from a dynamics model, the impedance control based on force-displacement is carried out on an actuator of the suspension. The present invention can significantly improve the driving comfort and handling stability of the vehicle driving on an uneven road surface.

Abstract: A seat comprising a temperature or a humidity sensor, a foam and a measurement system comprising a capacitive sensor in contact with the foam and adapted for measuring pressure exerted on the foam by the user, a compensation suited to the measured pressure being determined based on a temperature or a humidity provided by the temperature or the humidity sensor.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a battery configured to provide electrical energy to drive at least one of a plurality of wheels, a vehicle body supported by the chassis and defining a receptacle for storing refuse therein, and an electric power take-off system including a motor configured to power to a hydraulic system in response to receiving the electrical energy from the battery, an inverter configured to provide the electrical energy to the motor from the battery, a sensor configured to detect thermal energy within the inverter, and a controller configured to receive data from the sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the data from the sensor is greater than a critical operating condition and reduce a rate of electrical energy supplied to the motor in response to determining that the data from the sensor is greater than the critical operating condition.

Abstract: A system for collision detection includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive sensor data from a plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to preprocess the sensor data using a set of preprocessing steps to create preprocessed sensor data, wherein the set of preprocessing steps comprises filtering, normalization, and alignment; process the preprocessed sensor data using a compound model to create a collision score; and provide the collision score.

Abstract: Acceleration determination for controlling a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, is described. In an example, objects in an environment of the vehicle are identified and a probability that each object will impact travel of the vehicle is determined. Individual accelerations for responding to each object may also be determined. Weighting factors for each of the accelerations may also be determined based on the probabilities. A control acceleration may be determined based on the weighting factors and the accelerations.

Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a support assembly and/or a track assembly. The support assembly may include a first controller and/or a plurality of safety devices. The electrical assembly may include a track assembly and/or a second controller. The first controller and/or the second controller may be configured to control the plurality of safety devices via a conductor of the track assembly. The plurality of safety devices may include a first safety device, a second safety device, and/or a third safety device. The first safety device may include an airbag and/or may be configured to be activated by pyrotechnics. The first safety device may be configured to be activated by a first deployment current pulse. The support assembly may include a first portion that may include a first contact. The track assembly may include a first track that may include the conductor.

Abstract: A suspension device includes: a damping device that damps a force generated between a vehicle body and a wheel of a vehicle; a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is jumping, using an acceleration of the vehicle in a front-rear direction, an acceleration of the vehicle in a left-right direction, and an acceleration of the vehicle in a vertical direction; and a damping force control unit that increases a damping force of the damping device so as to be greater than the damping force generated when the determination unit does not determine that the vehicle is jumping, when the determination unit determines that the vehicle is jumping.

Abstract: Systems and methods for crash determination in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle telematics device includes a processor and a memory storing a crash determination application, wherein the processor, on reading the crash determination application, is directed to obtain sensor data from at least one sensor installed in a vehicle, calculate peak resultant data based on the sensor data, where the peak resultant data describes the acceleration of the vehicle over a first time period, generate crash score data based on the peak resultant data and a set of crash curve data for the vehicle, where the crash score data describes the likelihood that the vehicle was involved in a crash based on the characteristics of the vehicle and the sensor data, and provide the obtained sensor data when the crash score data exceeds a crash threshold to a remote server system.

Abstract: An enhanced automatic activation device (EAAD) is provided. The EAAD includes a housing; a plurality of environmental sensors disposed within the housing; a connection to a reserve canopy deployment mechanism, the connection being disposed at least partially within the housing; and a processor coupled to the plurality of environmental sensors and the connection. The processor is configured to execute a machine learning process. The machine learning process is configured to classify environmental data from the plurality of environmental sensors into either a first group associated with nominal deployment of a main canopy of a parachute rig or a second group associated with failed deployment of the main canopy of the parachute rig. The processor is also configured to transmit a signal to the reserve canopy deployment mechanism where the machine learning process classifies the environmental data within the second group.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a movable portion provided on the substrate, a junction frame provided on the substrate to surround the movable portion, a cap bonded to the junction frame, the cap having a recessed portion and covering a space over the movable portion with the recessed portion facing the movable portion, the cap having an inside wall provided with irregularities, and a prevention film formed on the inside wall of the cap, the prevention film having irregularities on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A truck seat adapter which is designed to be positioned between the floor of the driver's compartment and the seat base of a driver's seat to enable the seat to be positioned rearwardly of the factory installed position to provide additional leg room for the driver or the passenger. The positioning of the adapter plate for the driver's seat enables the seat to be positioned so as to not interfere with the closing of the driver's door. In a second embodiment, the positioning of the adapter plate for the passenger's seat enables the seat to be positioned so as to not interfere with the closing of the passenger's door.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an application-independent estimation of the state of health (SOH) of a battery. A battery terminal voltage, under a non-zero load, when a specific amount of charge has been drawn from the battery is compared to stored terminal voltage test data obtained under the same conditions. An estimate of SOH is provided in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for localizing an occupant within a vehicle includes identifying whether at least one occupant is present within the vehicle based on a signal of an ultrasonic sensor and determining information regarding an inclination of the vehicle based on at least one signal of an inclination sensor. Based on the information regarding inclination of the vehicle, it is determined whether an occupant is present in one of a plurality of predefined sections of the vehicle if the presence of at least one occupant within the vehicle is identified.

Abstract: A collision detection system (1) for detecting and assessing the state of a crash guard (2), comprising at least one crash guard (2), which is provided with a sensor for detecting a collision onto or against the said crash guard (2), wherein the said system comprises a processing unit, which is provided to assess, on the basis of the signals generated by the sensor, the effect of a collision on the crash guard (2) and, if necessary, to initiate an alarm signal.

Abstract: A method for performing an evasive maneuver with a commercial vehicle-trailer combination includes ascertaining that a collision between the commercial vehicle-trailer combination and a collision object is impending. The method further includes determining an evasion trajectory by which the commercial vehicle-trailer combination can evade the collision object without coming into contact with the collision object, determining a desired steering angle based on the evasion trajectory and activating an active steering system of the commercial vehicle-trailer combination in dependence on the determined desired steering angle such that the commercial vehicle-trailer combination moves along the evasion trajectory from a starting traffic lane to a target traffic lane so as to perform the evasive maneuver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and systems for receiving feedback during transport. Embodiments include a transportation system comprising a tractor, a dolly attached to opposing ends of a first and second trailer, and a sensor feedback system. Sensor feedback system may include a tilt sensor system mounted on at least one of the dolly, the first trailer, and the second trailer, and a user feedback system mounted within the tractor. Tilt sensor system may measure tilt of at least one of the dolly, first and second trailers, and first and second containers attached to the first and second trailers, to obtain tilt information, and send tilt information to the user feedback system via a communication system. User feedback system may receive the tilt information and alert a driver of the tractor if the tilt information is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: In wireless device-to-device, D2D, communication data are transmitted directly from a first wireless device to a second wireless device. In response to the direct transmission of data, the second wireless device transmits feedback data indicating at least one quality of the data received in the second wireless device. More precisely, according to the invention, a radio access network node controls the direct transmission of data by means of downlink control information to the first and second wireless devices, and the feedback data are received in the radio access network node. The radio access network node preferably also uses the received feedback to control at least one of the first and second wireless devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for impact detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle impact detection system includes an acceleration sensor, a storage device storing an impact detection application, and a processor, where the impact detection application directs the processor to receive acceleration information using the acceleration sensor, filter the acceleration information to attenuate noise, determine an occurrence of an impact by detecting an acceleration from the acceleration information that exceeds a threshold for a time period, detect an angle of the impact with respect to a forward direction using the acceleration information, and trigger an impact detector signal.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of a system that processes information describing movement of a vehicle at a time related to a potential collision to reliably determine whether a collision occurred and/or one or more characteristics of the collision. In response to obtaining information regarding a potential collision, data describing movement of the vehicle before and/or after a time associated with the potential collision is analyzed to determine whether the collision occurred and/or to determine one or more collision characteristic(s). The analysis may be carried out at least in part using a trained classifier that classifies the vehicle movement data into one or more classes, where at least some the classes are associated with whether a collision occurred and/or one or more characteristics of a collision. If a collision is determined to be likely, one or more actions may be triggered based on the characteristic(s) of the collision.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle includes: a seat belt device configured w restrain an occupant seated on a vehicular seat with a webbing, in which one end of the webbing is wound around a winding device and the other end is fixed to one of the vehicular seat and a vehicle body, and the seat belt device is configured so that a motor provided in the winding device is driven to wind the webbing; and an electronic control unit configured to drive the motor so that a prescribed amount of the webbing is wound, when a first condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wearable device and a system. The wearable device (20, 40) comprises an electronic circuit (21), a power supply (22), a switching circuit (23, 43) coupled between the electronic circuit and the power supply, and an electromagnetic field detection circuit (24) coupled to the switching circuit (23, 43) for detecting an electromagnetic field generated by an NFC transmitter within the detection range of the electromagnetic field detection circuit and for generating a trigger signal if an electromagnetic field generated by an NFC transmitter is detected within the detection range of the electromagnetic field detection circuit. The switching circuit (23, 43) comprises a flip-flop (231) or a transistor circuit (431) including an input transistor (432) and a fuse (433) to switch the connection between the electronic circuit and the power supply on in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A method for operating an airbag of an occupant protection device of a vehicle moveable in autonomous driving mode involves positioning the airbag in an active position depending on at least one trigger condition. The airbag is automatically positioned and/or aligned within a vehicle interior depending on a positioning of a vehicle seat assigned to the airbag.

Abstract: A method, a device and a computer program for activating a secondary function of an occupant protection system, a vertical acceleration and a lateral acceleration being detected and evaluated and an instantaneous position of the vehicle being determined based on the vertical acceleration and the first lateral acceleration. In the process, a lifting-off of the vehicle and/or an impact of the vehicle on its wheels is detected. A secondary function is activated if an impact of the vehicle on its roof and/or if an impact of the vehicle on one side or an impact of the vehicle on its wheels is detected.

Abstract: A facing portion of an antenna is provided with a first capacitance complementary adjusting portion which adjusts variation of a capacitance caused by a first movement of a second facing portion relative to a first facing portion and a second capacitance complementary adjusting portion which adjust variation of the capacitance caused by a second movement of the second facing portion relative to the first facing portion. The first capacitance complementary adjusting portion has a first variable portion and a second variable portion which have mutually opposite effects on the capacitance. The second capacitance complementary adjusting portion has a third variable portion and a fourth variable portion which have mutually opposite effects on the capacitance.

Abstract: An airbag device includes a movement obtaining unit, an airbag, and an airbag controller. The movement obtaining unit is configured to obtain a movement of an occupant in an automobile. The airbag is deployable with different thicknesses into a gap between the occupant and a side portion of the automobile. The airbag controller is configured to restrict the thickness of the airbag that deploys toward the gap so that the airbag is inserted into the gap, if the airbag controller determines that the gap is smaller than a predetermined value on the basis of the movement of the occupant obtained by the movement obtaining unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling a vehicle (100) during a downhill start. The vehicle comprises a service brake (131a, 131b; 132a, 132b; 33a, 133b), an engine (119) and a transmission (120) being arranged between the engine and at least one driven axle (123), wherein the service brakes, the engine and the transmission are controlled by an electronic control unit (140). The method involves registering that the vehicle is located on a downhill gradient; registering an action from the driver, indicating a request to start the vehicle; controlling the service brake to maintain the vehicle stationary during a predetermined time after the request before initiating a controlled service brake release; controlling a gradual release of the service brake in response to at least one detected first vehicle operating parameter; and releasing the service brake when detecting that a predetermined threshold for at least one second vehicle operating parameter has been attained.

Abstract: A passenger protection apparatus includes an inflator and an airbag. The inflator configured to supply gas and the airbag is configured to deploy to surround a sitting position, of a passenger by the gas supplied from the inflator. One end of the airbag is supported on an upper portion of a vehicle. The airbag includes a main airbag configured to deploy around the sitting position of the passenger, and a sub-airbag configured to deploy on an inner wall surface of the main airbag.

Abstract: A passenger protection device includes: a front airbag configured to inflate so as to cover a front of the passenger; a front inflator configured to supply the inflation gas to the front airbag; a window airbag accommodated with being folded at an upper edge-side of a window arranged at a lateral side of the passenger and configured to inflate so as to cover a vehicle interior-side of the window; and a window airbag inflator configured to supply the inflation gas to the window airbag. The window airbag includes a bag-adjacent inflation part configured to cover a side of a head of the passenger received by the front airbag, and an activation start timing of the window airbag inflator is set within a range of ?20 ms to ?5 ms from a time at which the front airbag having completely inflated starts to receive the passenger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for acceleration-related sensor mismatch of an autonomous vehicle are provided. A computing system for compensating for autonomous vehicle acceleration-related sensor mismatch can include one or more processors and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations can include obtaining data indicative of an acceleration mismatch between a first portion and a second portion of an autonomous vehicle. The operations can further include determining a sensor compensation action based at least in part on the data indicative of the acceleration mismatch. The operations can further include implementing the sensor compensation action for the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system may identify vehicle collisions in real-time or at least near real-time based on statistical data collected from previous vehicle collisions. The statistical data may be used to train a machine learning model for identifying whether a portable computing device is in a vehicle collision based on sensor data from the portable computing device. The machine learning model may be trained based on a first subset of sensor data collected from vehicle trips involved in vehicle collisions and a second subset of sensor data collected from vehicle trips not involved in vehicle collisions. When a current set of sensor data is obtained from a portable computing device in a vehicle, the current set of sensor data is compared to the machine learning model to determine whether the portable computing device is in a vehicle involved in a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring fleets of vehicles and vehicle operators is disclosed. A vehicle is installed with device(s) collecting positional data such as vehicle movement and orientation with respect to other vehicles and road hazards. In addition, the vehicle operator is fitted with wearable device(s) collecting biometric data (e.g., heart rate). These devices are in communication with each other, as well as a hard drive on the vehicle (e.g., a black-box) and a wireless monitoring station located at a distance. In an embodiment, the device(s) are connected to the braking system of the truck to allow emergency braking in the event of a loss of control on the part of the vehicle or consciousness on the part of the driver. In a further embodiment, this control may also be asserted by the land-based monitoring system.

Abstract: A method and system may identify vehicle collisions in real-time or at least near real-time based on statistical data collected from previous vehicle collisions. A user's portable computing device may obtain sensor data from sensors in the portable computing device and compare the sensor data to a statistical model indicative of a vehicle collision, where the statistical model includes sensor data characteristics which correspond to the vehicle collision. Each sensor data characteristic may have a threshold value, the portable computing device may compare a value for the sensor data characteristic to the threshold value. If the portable computing device identifies a vehicle collision based on the comparison, the portable communication device may display collision information. Further, notifications may be sent to emergency contacts and/or emergency personnel to provide assistance to the user.

Abstract: Techniques are described with respect to addressing vehicular seat component risk. An associated method includes identifying any risk factor associated with a physical configuration of a vehicular seat component within a vehicle, identifying any risk factor associated with health of an occupant of the vehicular seat component, and identifying any risk factor associated with compatibility of the occupant of the vehicular seat component. The method further includes transmitting to at least one entity associated with the vehicle at least one alert addressing one or more of the identified risk factors. In an embodiment, transmitting the at least one alert includes creating the at least one alert including a calculated sum of risk level values assigned to each identified risk factor and information related to one or more identified risk factors based upon risk level value in the context of at least one predefined risk threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle motion detecting apparatus that can satisfy a required detection accuracy with a simple architecture and at a low cost, and also maintain reliability of an applied external apparatus. The vehicle motion detecting apparatus 100 of the present invention has a motion detecting section 10 that detects a motion of a vehicle and a malfunction detecting section 20 that detects a malfunction of the motion detecting section 10, and is characterized in that the motion detecting section 10 is a 6-axis inertial sensor as the first multi-axis inertial sensor that is capable of detecting accelerations in directions of three axes and angular velocities about three axes.

Abstract: An auto addressing scheme comprised of a central/master module and satellite/slave devices on a communication bus such as CAN that individually wakes the satellite devices alerting them when to listen to the CAN bus to receive their address, eliminating the need for a separate bus for auto addressing. The wake function is handled by low side n-channel MOSFET switches with current limiting resistors to protect the circuit against short to battery conditions and a voltage divider to step down the voltage to levels tolerable for a microcontroller input.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, via a processor, image data of a surroundings of the vehicle. The method includes performing, via a processor, image analysis on the image data to identify road features. The method includes matching, via a processor, the identified road features to road features in a predetermined map to determine matched road features. The method includes determining, via a processor, global positioning data for the vehicle based on global positioning data in the predetermined map and the matched road features. The method also includes calibrating, via a processor, effective rolling radius of a wheel of the vehicle based at least on the global position data. The method further includes controlling, via a processor, a function of the vehicle based, in part, on the effective rolling radius.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operation of a floor conveyor, the floor conveyor including a sensor device, the systems and methods include providing a predetermined detection zone outside at least a section of the circumference of the floor conveyor for detection of foreign objects positioned inside the predetermined detection zone, wherein the predetermined detection zone is arranged to end at a first predetermined distance from a predetermined object. The method further comprises extending the predetermined detection zone with a second predetermined distance within which the predetermined object is expected to be positioned. The method further comprises implementing security measures on the floor conveyor, if the predetermined object is not detected within the extended predetermined detection zone.

Abstract: An occupant protection device capable of protecting occupants at a higher level is provided. An occupant protection device comprises a first sensor for detecting a value concerning a rotation angle of a vehicle, a second sensor for detecting an acceleration in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a collision determination section adapted to determinate whether or not a collision has occurred to the vehicle based on the detection result of the first sensor and to determinate whether or not the collision has occurred to the vehicle also based on the detection result of the second sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more sensors and a control unit. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate signals in response to movement of a vehicle. The control unit generally comprises (i) an interface configured to receive the signals from the sensors and (ii) a filter configured to reduce an effect that a mechanical transfer function of a housing of at least one of the sensors has on at least one of the signals. The filter may be configured to utilize a variable frequency band digital representation of the mechanical transfer function to negate the effect of the mechanical transfer function of the housing on the at least one of the signals.

Abstract: An adaptor configured to move a work vehicle implement includes a work vehicle portion that includes a first receiver interface configured to couple to a work vehicle. The first receiver interface includes at least one receiver locking feature configured to non-movably couple the work vehicle portion to the first connector interface. The adaptor also includes a work implement portion moveably coupled to the work vehicle portion and a second connector interface configured to couple to a second receiver interface of the work vehicle implement. The adaptor also includes a track system comprising a slot disposed within the work vehicle portion and a slider disposed on the work implement portion, wherein the slider is configured to move along the slot, and at least one actuator configured to actuate the work implement portion with respect to the work vehicle portion along a guide path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining whether or not a crash involving a vehicle has occurred. A computing device may receive acceleration measurement(s) measured by one or more accelerometers during a time window. The computing device may determine, for one or more acceleration measurements, a corresponding acceleration magnitude. Based on the corresponding acceleration magnitude(s), the computing device may identify, from the acceleration measurement(s), an acceleration measurement and/or may determine whether the acceleration magnitude exceeds a threshold acceleration magnitude. The computing device may corroborate whether a vehicle associated with the mobile computing device was involved in a crash. Data associated with the acceleration magnitude and/or an event, such as a crash event, may be transmitted to a server.

Abstract: The present invention may be a method, a computer system, and a computer program product for grouping a plurality moving objects capable of communicating with a server computer. The server computer performs the method comprising: predicting travel routes of the plurality of moving objects, using current traveling data and travel history data; grouping the plurality of moving objects into at least one group, using the predicted travel routes; determining a representative moving object in each group; and communicating with the representative moving object.

Abstract: Vehicles such as a combustion engine, electric, and/or hybrid electric vehicles and methods of operation, which include controller(s) configured to respond to cruise control signals, and to generate a route efficiency profile according to instantaneous vehicle performance parameters and environmental conditions. The controller(s) are also modified to adjust a vehicle cruise speed according to the signal and profile, to enable reaching at least one designated destination in a minimum time, and whereby vehicle range is extended to the destination, while one or more reserve energy limits of battery power and fuel are maintained. The controller(s) are also adapted to detect instantaneous feedback signals that include the performance parameters and environmental conditions, and to generate error signals according to an actual vehicle watt-hour per mile efficiency and the route efficiency profile.

Abstract: A vehicle control system has a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system 28, a transmission controller 30, a steering controller 48, a brakes controller 62 and a suspension controller 82. These subsystem controllers are each operable in a plurality of subsystem modes, and are all connected to a vehicle mode controller 98 which controls the modes of operation of each of the subsystem controllers so as to provide a number of driving modes for the vehicle. Each of the modes corresponds to a particular driving condition or set of driving conditions, and in each mode each of the functions is set to the function in mode most appropriate to those conditions.