Platoon control

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a vehicle travelling in a platoon. A first set of information is received at a first vehicle in a platoon, the first set of information relating toat least one other vehicle in the platoon. One of a plurality of control algorithms is selected in dependence on the first set of information, wherein each of the plurality of control algorithms corresponds to a respective platoon communication topology. The first vehicle is controlled in response to the first set of information and the selected one of the control algorithms.

Description

technical field

[0001] This application relates to the automatic control of vehicles in the form of a platoon, and in particular to the use of inter-vehicle communication in the automatic platooning of vehicles. Background technique

[0002] Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are systems aimed at improving road safety zones by broadcasting real-time information about road conditions. For example in such systems, cars or similar vehicles may broadcast information such as location, speed, road conditions, events and / or accidents, and the like. This information can be shared between vehicles using so-called vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and between vehicles and other units such as roadside entities or traffic control units using vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. These communication systems may use IEEE 802.11p Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) technology.

[0003] One application of ITS may provide vehicle platooning. Such vehicle platooning a...

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