Vehicle control system and method

摘要

The present invention provides a vehicle control system (110) and method operable to control at least one vehicle subsystem (120, 130, 140, 150, 160) to operate in a selected one of a plurality of subsystem configuration modes. The control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration mode of the at least one vehicle subsystem in a manner suitable for a respective type of driving surface. The control system uses the output of an imaging device (115) capturing the driving surface on which the vehicle is driving or will likely be driving.

主权项

1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising:
an imaging device; and a vehicle control unit (VCU) coupled to the imaging device, wherein the VCU is configured to:
receive an image from the imaging device of a driving surface over which the vehicle is driving or may subsequently drive;identify a driving surface type in dependence on a composition of the driving surface determined by reference to a texture and a color of the driving surface as determined according to an output of the imaging device;select an appropriate one of a plurality of driving modes based on the identified driving surface type; andcontrol operation of one or more of the following vehicle subsystems in dependence on the selected driving mode: a suspension subsystem, a steering subsystem, a brake subsystem, an engine management subsystem, and a transmission subsystem.