Abstract:
A system for automated operation of a host-vehicle includes a vehicle-control device, an object-detection device, and a controller. The vehicle-control device is operable to control one or more of acceleration of the host-vehicle, braking of the host-vehicle, and steering of the host-vehicle. The object-detection device is operable to detect a rearward-vehicle located behind the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to determine when the object-detection device indicates that a rear-end collision into the host-vehicle by the rearward-vehicle is imminent, and operate the vehicle-control device to reduce the effect of the rear-end collision experienced by an operator of the host-vehicle when the rear-end collision is imminent.
Abstract:
A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes a steering mechanism having a pinion gear and a rack, the steering mechanism being configured to translate rotation of the pinion gear into movement of the rack which is configured to affect the position of a steer tire of the autonomous vehicle, thereby affecting the lateral position of the autonomous vehicle; a steering wheel which provides a mechanical input to the pinion gear from an operator of the autonomous vehicle; a steering actuator which rotates to apply torque to the steering mechanism, thereby inducing movement of the rack which affects the position of the steer tire of the autonomous vehicle; and a variable coupling member operatively between the steering actuator and the steering mechanism which is configured to vary the torque that can be transmitted from the steering actuator to the steering mechanism.
Abstract:
A cognitive-driver-assist system includes an object-detection device, an operator-detection device, and a controller. The object-detection device is operable to detect when an object is proximate to a host-vehicle. The operator-detection device is operable to determine when an operator of the host-vehicle is aware of the object. The controller is configured to output a warning-signal for the operator of the host-vehicle when the object-detection device detects the object. The warning-signal is characterized by a warning-intensity that is variable. The controller is configured to increase the warning-intensity when the operator is not aware of the object.
Abstract:
A system for operating an automated vehicle in accordance with an operation-rules that are based on an automation-level of an other-vehicle includes an automation-detector and a controller. The automation-detector conveys an automation-level indicated by an other-vehicle proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the automation-detector. The controller operates the host-vehicle in accordance with an operation-rule that is selected based on the automation-level of the other-vehicle. For example, the controller operates the host-vehicle to follow the other-vehicle at a first-distance when the automation-level is an autonomous-mode, and follow the other-vehicle at a second-distance greater than the first-distance when the automation-level is a manual-mode, i.e. human-driven.
Abstract:
An automated vehicle transportation system for multiple-segment ground-transportation includes a communications-network, a first-automated-taxi, and a second-automated-taxi. The communications-network is used to send a transportation-request from a client to an automated-taxi-fleet. The transportation-request includes a destination. The first-automated-taxi transports the client along a first-segment of a route toward the destination. The second-automated-taxi transports the client along a second-segment of the route to the destination. The first-segment ends and the second-segment begins at a transfer-point. The system coordinates a first-meet-time of the first-automated-taxi and a second-meet-time of the second-automated-taxi at the transfer-point.
Abstract:
An operator-evaluation system for an automated vehicle includes a traffic-detector and a controller. The traffic-detector is used to determine a complexity-ranking of a traffic-scenario approached by a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the traffic-detector and is configured to operate the host-vehicle in: an automated-mode where the controller steers the host-vehicle toward a desired-position of a travel-lane; a monitored-mode where an operator steers the host-vehicle and the controller assists the operator to steer the host-vehicle toward the desired-position when the host-vehicle is farther than a lateral-threshold from the desired-position; and a manual-mode where the operator steers the host-vehicle without assistance from the controller. The controller transitions from the automated-mode to the monitored-mode prior to arrival at the traffic-scenario to determine a skill-ranking of the operator relative to the complexity-ranking, and transitions from the automated-mode to the manual-mode when the complexity-ranking is less than the skill-ranking of the operator.
Abstract:
A lidar unit is mounted to an autonomous vehicle within an existing rear side window opening. An opaque inner panel blocks light, while the exterior window covers and protects the lidar unit, maintaining the original appearance and aerodynamic form of the vehicle exterior, in conjunction with the opaque inner panel.
Abstract:
A gesture detection system suitable to operate an automated vehicle includes a gesture-detection-device, a pedestrian-detection-device, and a controller. The gesture-detection-device is used to detect a gesture made by an occupant of a host-vehicle. The pedestrian-detection-device is used to detect a pedestrian proximate to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the gesture-detection-device and the pedestrian-detection-device. The controller is configured to control movement of the host-vehicle along a travel-path of the host-vehicle. The controller waits to move the host-vehicle until after the pedestrian crosses the travel-path when the occupant gestures to the pedestrian to proceed across the travel-path.
Abstract:
A cognitive-driver-assist system includes an object-detection device, an operator-detection device, a control-override device, and a controller. The object-detection device is operable to detect when an object is proximate to a host-vehicle. The operator-detection device is operable to determine when an operator of the host-vehicle is aware of the object. The control-override device is operable to limit operator-authority of the operator while the operator is driving the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to operate the control-override device in accordance with the operator-authority to override the operator and avoid interference with the object when the operator is not aware of the object.
Abstract:
A system for automated operation of a host-vehicle includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an other-vehicle proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a behavior-classification of the other-vehicle based on lane-keeping-behavior of the other-vehicle relative to a roadway traveled by the other-vehicle, and select a travel-path for the host-vehicle based on the behavior-classification. In one embodiment, the behavior-classification of the other-vehicle is based on a position-variation-value indicative of how much an actual-lane-position of the other-vehicle varies from a center-lane-position of the roadway. In yet another embodiment, the behavior-classification of the other-vehicle is based on a vector-difference-value indicative of how much a vehicle-vector of the other-vehicle differs from a lane-vector of the roadway.