Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.

Takeo Shibata

Hiroshi Kuroda

Yuto Imanishi

Tomonori Kawakami

Example implementations described herein are directed to integration of far infrared cameras in a vehicle system to detect objects based on relative temperature of objects. Such implementations can improve accuracy when paired, for example, with classification systems that classify objects based on the shape of the object, as both the shape and relative temperature can be used to ensure that the classification is accurate. Further, example implementations can synchronize far infrared cameras with other sensor systems to determine distance, energy, and absolute temperature of an object, which can also be used to enhance classification. Such classifications can then be provided to an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which can control the vehicle system in accordance with the object classification.

Object recognition by far infrared camera

Provided is a vehicle control device with which improved fuel economy and lowered exhaust gas emissions can be effectively achieved without adversely affecting the driver when traveling while following a leading vehicle. The present invention has: a following-determination means that, during travel while following a leading vehicle, determines, on the basis of the speed of the host vehicle, the speed of the leading vehicle, and the distance from the leading vehicle, whether the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting; and an idle stop determination means that, when the following-determination means has determined that the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting, and the driving/travel state of the host vehicle satisfies other traveling idle stop criteria, determines that a traveling idle stop should be performed; and is provided with a determination criteria updating means for updating the determination criteria for the idle stop determination means in regard to criteria such as the leading vehicle characteristics, road surface conditions, and weather. In the event that it has been determined, from the determination conditions that have been updated in regard to the leading vehicle characteristics, etc., that following by coasting is possible, a control to shut off the on-board engine is performed.

Vehicle control device and vehicle control method

A vehicle control apparatus that makes it possible to attempt fuel consumption improvement and exhaust gas reduction effectively without causing a sense of incompatibility in the driver is provided. When traveling following the preceding vehicle, kinetic energy required for an own vehicle in future is predicted on the basis of kinetic energy of the own vehicle, a velocity of a preceding vehicle, and a distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. It is determined whether there is kinetic energy enough for the own vehicle to be able to follow the preceding vehicle with inertial traveling, on the basis of the predicted kinetic energy and current kinetic energy. When it is determined that the kinetic energy is sufficient and the driving and traveling state of the own vehicle satisfies other traveling idling reduction conditions, control of stopping the engine is exercised.

Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method

A vehicle travel control apparatus that can stop a subject vehicle at an optimum position, and at a subsequent restart time, suitably avoid an obstacle without imposing a burden on a driver is provided. The vehicle travel control apparatus allows a subject vehicle to travel on the basis of a predetermined set speed, controls the travel of the subject vehicle according to a situation around the subject vehicle, calculates a subject vehicle travel side virtual lane on which the subject vehicle can travel on a subject vehicle travel side, an oncoming vehicle travel side virtual lane on which the subject vehicle can travel on an oncoming vehicle travel side, and a residual road width of a subject vehicle travel road on the basis of a road width, the subject vehicle travel side virtual lane, and the oncoming vehicle travel side virtual lane, and stops, when a point at which the calculated residual road width is smaller than a given value is present, the travel of the subject vehicle at a position in front of the point.

Vehicle travel control apparatus

Provided is a vehicle travel control device that outputs a driving force command requested for a target by a driving force source, to vehicles having different driving schemes without changing a driving force command calculation method even when the driving force command requested by the driving force source has a different target. The vehicle travel control device includes a target acceleration computation section for calculating a target acceleration in accordance with a calculated target vehicle speed and with a detected actual vehicle speed, and a driving force computation section for calculating a driving force command from the target acceleration and outputting the calculated driving force command. The driving force computation section outputs at least one of a plurality of driving force commands, which are converted by using a plurality of predetermined conversion ratios, in accordance with a connected driving force source.

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Ibaraki, Japan

Takeo Shibata