Vehicle controller, vehicle, and vehicle control method

Abstract

A vehicle controller includes: a surrounding area recognition unit that detects a state surrounding a subject vehicle; a human detection unit that detects a specific target object in a specific area into which entry of the specific target object is restricted; an automated driving control part that provides control such that the subject vehicle follows a vehicle traveling ahead thereof, based on a result detected by the surrounding area recognition unit. The automated driving control part makes the subject vehicle operate at at least one of a first support status, and a second support status which has an automated degree higher than that of the first support status or has a task required to be done by a vehicle occupant of the subject vehicle less than that of the first support status. When the subject vehicle is traveling at the first support status and the human detection unit has detected a specific target object, the automated driving control part keeps the support status of the subject vehicle unchanged at the first support status. When the subject vehicle is traveling at the second support status and the detection unit has detected therein a specific target object, the automated driving control part shifts the support status of the subject vehicle from the second support status to the first support status.