Control device and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a control device and a control method which are capable of appropriately assisting motorcycle riders in driving in group traveling. In a control device 20 and a control method according to the present invention, an execution unit of the control device 20 performs a driving assistance operation to assist riders in driving. Further, when a group comprising a plurality of motorcycles is traveling in group traveling forming a plurality of convoys, an identification unit of the control device 20 identifies, in a first identification process, whether a convoy identification target vehicle, which is a motorcycle constituting the group, is in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle, which is also a motorcycle constituting the group, belongs, or is in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle does not belong, on the basis of surrounding environment information of the convoy identification target vehicle, and the execution unit performs the driving assistance operation on the basis of the result of the identification by the identification unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method that can appropriately assist a motorcycle rider in driving during group riding. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed to assist motorcycle riders in driving. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a driver assistance system that warns a motorcycle rider that he or she is inappropriately approaching an obstacle based on information detected by a sensor device that detects obstacles in the direction of travel or substantially in the direction of travel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-116882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is important that driving assistance operations that assist the rider in driving be performed appropriately according to the traffic conditions around the vehicle. Here, there are cases where a group consisting of multiple motorcycles rides in a convoy. When a group ride is taking place, the traffic conditions around the vehicle are different compared to when a group ride is not taking place. Therefore, a proposal for optimizing driving assistance operations in such group rides is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control device and a control method that can appropriately assist the driving of a motorcycle rider in a group riding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device of the present invention is a control device for a rider assistance system that assists a rider in driving, and includes an execution unit that executes driving assistance operations to assist the rider in driving. Furthermore, when a group consisting of multiple motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, the control device includes an identification unit that, in a first identification process, identifies whether a convoy identification target vehicle, which is a motorcycle that constitutes the group, is located in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle, which is also a motorcycle that constitutes the group, belongs, or whether it is located in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle does not belong, based on ambient environment information about the convoy identification target vehicle. The execution unit executes the driving assistance operations based on the identification result by the identification unit.

[0007] The control method of the present invention is a control method for a rider assistance system that assists a rider in driving, in which an execution unit of a control device executes a driving assistance operation to assist the rider in driving, and further, an identification unit of the control device, when a group consisting of multiple motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, identifies in a first identification process whether a convoy identification target vehicle that is a motorcycle that constitutes the group is located in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle that is also a motorcycle that constitutes the group belongs, or whether it is located in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle does not belong, based on ambient environment information about the convoy identification target vehicle, and the execution unit executes the driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the control device and control method according to the present invention, an execution unit of the control device executes a driving assistance operation to assist the rider in driving. Furthermore, when a group consisting of multiple motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, an identification unit of the control device executes a first identification process to identify whether a motorcycle that is a part of the group and is a subject of convoy identification is located in a first convoy to which a motorcycle that is a part of the group and is a reference vehicle for convoy identification belongs, or in a second convoy to which the reference vehicle for convoy identification does not belong, based on information about the surrounding environment of the subject vehicle for convoy identification. The execution unit executes the driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit. This allows the driving assistance operation to be appropriately executed in accordance with the traffic conditions around the subject vehicle when traveling in a group. Therefore, the driving assistance operation of the motorcycle rider can be appropriately supported during group traveling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a group including a motorcycle riding in a group according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an overall flow of processing related to group traveling performed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how the detection range of the surrounding environment information used in the adaptive cruise control performed by the motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention changes. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a first example of a specification process performed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a case where the lateral distance between the motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention and another vehicle is shorter than a first reference distance. [Figure 8]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a case where the lateral distance between the motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention and another vehicle is longer than a second reference distance. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing a case where the lateral distance between the motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention and another vehicle is longer than a first reference distance and shorter than a second reference distance. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a group including a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention is traveling around a curve. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a second example of a specification process performed by the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A control device and a control method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Although the following description focuses on a control device used in a two-wheeled motorcycle (see motorcycle 1 in FIG. 1), the vehicle controlled by the control device according to the present invention may be a motorcycle other than a two-wheeled motorcycle. Motorcycles include vehicles powered by an engine and vehicles powered by an electric motor. Motorcycles include, for example, motorcycles, scooters, and electric scooters.

[0012] Furthermore, the configurations and operations described below are merely examples, and the control device and control method according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations and operations.

[0013] In the following, descriptions of identical or similar parts are appropriately simplified or omitted. In addition, in each drawing, reference numerals are omitted or the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts or components. In addition, illustrations of detailed structures are appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0014] <Motorcycle configuration> The configuration of a motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a motorcycle 1. As shown in Figure 1, the motorcycle 1 includes an engine 11, a hydraulic control unit 12, a display device 13, an ambient environment sensor 14, an input device 15, a navigation device 16, a front wheel speed sensor 17, a rear wheel speed sensor 18, and a control device (ECU) 20. In this specification, the motorcycle 1 is also referred to as the host vehicle 1.

[0016] The motorcycle 1 is equipped with a rider assistance system 10 that assists the rider in driving the motorcycle 1. The rider assistance system 10 includes the above-mentioned components (i.e., the engine 11, the hydraulic control unit 12, the display device 13, the ambient environment sensor 14, the input device 15, the navigation device 16, the front wheel speed sensor 17, the rear wheel speed sensor 18, and the control device 20).

[0017] The engine 11 is an example of a drive source for the motorcycle 1 and is capable of outputting power to drive the wheels. For example, the engine 11 is provided with one or more cylinders each having a combustion chamber formed therein, a fuel injection valve that injects fuel into the combustion chamber, and a spark plug. When fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve, a mixture containing air and fuel is formed in the combustion chamber, and the mixture is ignited by the spark plug and burns. This causes pistons in the cylinders to reciprocate, rotating the crankshaft. In addition, a throttle valve is provided in an intake pipe of the engine 11, and the amount of air taken into the combustion chamber changes depending on the throttle opening of the throttle valve.

[0018] The hydraulic pressure control unit 12 is a unit that has the function of controlling the braking force acting on the wheels. For example, the hydraulic pressure control unit 12 is provided on an oil passage that connects the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders, and includes components (e.g., a control valve and a pump) for controlling the brake hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinders. The braking force acting on the wheels is controlled by controlling the operation of the components of the hydraulic pressure control unit 12. The hydraulic pressure control unit 12 may control the braking force acting on both the front and rear wheels, or may control only the braking force acting on either the front or rear wheels.

[0019] The display device 13 has a display function for visually displaying information. Examples of the display device 13 include a liquid crystal display and a lamp.

[0020] The ambient environment sensor 14 detects ambient environment information relating to the environment around the motorcycle 1. Specifically, the ambient environment sensor 14 is provided at the front of the body of the motorcycle 1, and detects ambient environment information ahead of the host vehicle 1.

[0021] The ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14 may be information related to the distance or direction to an object located around the motorcycle 1 (e.g., relative position, relative distance, relative speed, relative acceleration, etc.), or may be characteristics of the object located around the motorcycle 1 (e.g., type of object, shape of the object itself, markings on the object, etc.). The ambient environment sensor 14 may be, for example, a radar, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, etc.

[0022] The surrounding environment information may also be detected by surrounding environment sensors mounted on other vehicles or infrastructure facilities. That is, the control device 20 may acquire the surrounding environment information via wireless communication with other vehicles or infrastructure facilities.

[0023] The input device 15 accepts various operations by the rider. The input device 15 includes, for example, push buttons provided on the handlebars and used by the rider for operation. Information regarding the rider's operation using the input device 15 is output to the control device 20.

[0024] The navigation device 16 is a device that provides route guidance from the current position of the motorcycle 1 to the rider's desired destination. The navigation device 16 displays various information related to route guidance (e.g., the current position of the motorcycle 1, the travel route to be guided, the location of the destination, the distance on the travel route from the current position of the motorcycle 1 to the destination, and the time to reach the destination). The navigation device 16 can also obtain position information of the motorcycle 1 based on information transmitted from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The navigation device 16 can also obtain shape information (e.g., curvature information) of the road on which the motorcycle 1 is traveling based on map information and the like.

[0025] The front wheel speed sensor 17 is a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel speed of the front wheels (for example, the number of rotations per unit time [rpm] of the front wheels or the distance traveled per unit time [km / h], etc.) and outputs the detection result. The front wheel speed sensor 17 may also detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the wheel speed of the front wheels. The front wheel speed sensor 17 is provided on the front wheels.

[0026] The rear wheel speed sensor 18 is a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel speed of the rear wheel (for example, the number of rotations per unit time [rpm] of the rear wheel or the distance traveled per unit time [km / h], etc.) and outputs the detection result. The rear wheel speed sensor 18 may also detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the wheel speed of the rear wheel. The rear wheel speed sensor 18 is provided on the rear wheel.

[0027] The control device 20 controls the rider assistance system 10. For example, part or all of the control device 20 may be configured with a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like. Also, for example, part or all of the control device 20 may be configured with updatable components such as firmware, or may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU, or the like. The control device 20 may be, for example, a single device, or may be divided into multiple devices.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 20 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 21, an execution unit 22, and an identification unit 23. The control device 20 also communicates with each device of the rider assistance system 10.

[0029] The acquisition unit 21 acquires information from each device of the rider assistance system 10 and outputs the information to the execution unit 22 and the identification unit 23. For example, the acquisition unit 21 acquires information from the surrounding environment sensor 14, the input device 15, the navigation device 16, the front wheel speed sensor 17, and the rear wheel speed sensor 18. In this specification, acquisition of information may include extraction or generation of information.

[0030] The execution unit 22 executes driving assistance operations by the rider assistance system 10. Driving assistance operations are operations that assist the rider in driving, and can include various operations. For example, driving assistance operations can include vehicle control operations including adaptive cruise control, or operations such as notification operations. Vehicle control operations are operations that control the behavior of the vehicle 1. Notification operations are operations that notify the rider. Details of these operations will be described later. In driving assistance operations, the execution unit 22 appropriately controls the operations of the engine 11, hydraulic control unit 12, and display device 13.

[0031] The identification unit 23 performs an identification process to identify a convoy in which a vehicle to be identified as a convoy, which is a motorcycle that makes up a group during group driving, is located. During group driving, a group made up of multiple motorcycles including the vehicle 1 travels in a convoy. A vehicle to be identified as a convoy is a motorcycle that is a target of convoy identification by the identification unit 23 among the multiple motorcycles that make up the group.

[0032] In the following, an example will be mainly described in which the vehicle to be identified in the vehicle convoy is the subject vehicle 1. That is, in the following, an example will be mainly described in which the identification unit 23 identifies a vehicle convoy in which the subject vehicle 1 is located within a group (hereinafter also referred to as the subject vehicle 1's convoy or the subject vehicle convoy). However, as will be described later, the vehicle to be identified in the vehicle convoy may be a vehicle other than the subject vehicle 1 among the multiple motorcycles that make up the group (for example, another vehicle 2 in FIG. 3 described later). The identification unit 23 outputs the identification result to the execution unit 22.

[0033] Here, an overview of group riding will be explained with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a group riding including a motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1). Fig. 3 shows the host vehicle 1 and some of the other vehicles 2 that make up the group (i.e., motorcycles in the group other than the host vehicle 1), namely, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Note that information for identifying the other vehicles 2 that make up the group may be manually set in advance in the control device 20, or may be automatically generated by the control device 20 while riding. This allows the control device 20 to identify the other vehicles 2 that make up the group.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, in group riding, multiple motorcycles travel in two convoys, one on the left side and one on the right side, in the same lane. In the example of Figure 3, other vehicles 2b and 2c make up the convoy on the left side. Other vehicles 2b and 2c are lined up in this order from the front. Meanwhile, other vehicles 2a, host vehicle 1, and other vehicle 2d make up the convoy on the right side. Other vehicles 2a, host vehicle 1, and other vehicle 2d are lined up in this order from the front.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, when riding in a group, multiple motorcycles are arranged in a zigzag pattern, with the motorcycles in the left-hand convoy and the motorcycles in the right-hand convoy alternating in the longitudinal direction. In the example of Figure 3, the other vehicle 2a in the right-hand convoy, the other vehicle 2b in the left-hand convoy, the subject vehicle 1 in the right-hand convoy, the other vehicle 2c in the left-hand convoy, and the other vehicle 2d in the right-hand convoy are lined up in this order from front to back.

[0036] As mentioned above, when multiple motorcycles ride in a group, they ride in a zigzag formation. This shortens the distance between each vehicle compared to when multiple motorcycles ride in a single convoy. This reduces the chance of the group being separated by traffic lights.

[0037] In this embodiment, as described above, the identification unit 23 identifies the vehicle convoy in which the vehicle to be identified (mainly the subject vehicle 1 in the following example) is located within the group during group riding. The execution unit 22 then executes a driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. This allows for appropriate assistance in driving the rider of the motorcycle 1 during group riding. The processing related to group riding performed by the control device 20 will be described in detail below.

[0038] <Control device operation> The operation of the control device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] The following mainly describes an example in which the execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control as a driving assistance operation, but as described above, the driving assistance operation may be an operation other than adaptive cruise control.

[0040] In adaptive cruise control, the execution unit 22 automatically controls the speed of the motorcycle 1 without relying on the rider's acceleration / deceleration operations (i.e., accelerator and brake operations). The execution unit 22 can control the speed of the motorcycle 1 to a speed that does not exceed a preset upper speed limit by, for example, monitoring the speed value of the motorcycle 1 obtained based on the wheel speed of the front wheel and the wheel speed of the rear wheel.

[0041] In adaptive cruise control, the execution unit 22 performs inter-vehicle distance maintenance control to maintain the inter-vehicle distance between the motorcycle 1 and a target vehicle at a target distance. The execution unit 22 performs inter-vehicle distance maintenance control based on ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14. The ambient environment sensor 14 can detect the inter-vehicle distance between the motorcycle 1 and a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the motorcycle 1, as well as the relative speed of the motorcycle 1 with respect to the preceding vehicle. In inter-vehicle distance maintenance control, for example, the execution unit 22 sets the preceding vehicle as a target vehicle and controls the speed of the motorcycle 1 so that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is maintained at the target distance. Note that the inter-vehicle distance may refer to the distance along the lane (specifically, the lane the motorcycle 1 is traveling in) or the straight-line distance.

[0042] The execution unit 22 executes adaptive cruise control in response to, for example, an operation by the rider using the input device 15. Here, the motorcycle 1 is configured so that the rider can select a group riding mode as an adaptive cruise control mode. When the group riding mode is selected, the execution unit 22 executes the group riding mode as the adaptive cruise control. The group riding mode is a mode of adaptive cruise control that is particularly suited to group riding. For example, in the group riding mode, the target distance for the inter-vehicle distance maintenance control is set to a small value.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall flow of processing related to group riding performed by the control device 20. The control flow shown in Fig. 4 is executed repeatedly, for example, at preset time intervals. Step S101 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 4. Step S105 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 4.

[0044] 4 starts, in step S102, the control device 20 determines whether the group traveling mode is being executed. If it is determined that the group traveling mode is being executed (step S102 / YES), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the group traveling mode is not being executed (step S102 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0045] If the determination in step S102 is YES, in step S103, the identification unit 23 of the control device 20 performs identification processing of the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located within the group (i.e., the host vehicle convoy). The identification unit 23 performs identification processing of the host vehicle convoy based on ambient environment information of the host vehicle 1. For example, the ambient environment information of the host vehicle 1 can be acquired based on the output result of the ambient environment sensor 14. Details of the identification processing of the host vehicle convoy will be described later.

[0046] After step S103, in step S104, the execution unit 22 of the control device 20 executes adaptive cruise control based on the determination result by the determination unit 23, and the control flow shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0047] In step S104, the execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the ambient environment information used in the adaptive cruise control, for example, based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. As described above, the control to maintain a vehicle distance in the adaptive cruise control is performed based on the ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14. The execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14 based on the identification result by the identification unit 23.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how the detection range of the ambient environment information used for adaptive cruise control performed by the motorcycle 1 changes. In Fig. 5, the detection range 3 of the ambient environment sensor 14 before the change is shown by a dashed line, and the range after the change is shown by a solid line.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the detection range 3 of the ambient environment sensor 14 spreads radially forward from the front of the motorcycle 1. The ambient environment sensor 14 can detect ambient environment information within the detection range 3. In other words, the detection range of the ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14 basically coincides with the detection range 3 of the ambient environment sensor 14. However, as will be described later, it is also possible to change the detection range of the ambient environment information detected by the ambient environment sensor 14 without changing the detection range 3 of the ambient environment sensor 14, so these ranges will be described separately.

[0050] The execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14, for example, by changing the detection range 3 of the surrounding environment sensor 14. Specifically, the execution unit 22 positions the center 4 (e.g., the central axis of the radially expanding range) of the detection range 3 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 on the side where another vehicle 2 is located in a convoy (i.e., a convoy different from the own vehicle convoy) based on the traveling trajectory of the own vehicle 1. As a result, the center of the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 is positioned on the side where another vehicle 2 is located in a convoy based on the traveling trajectory of the own vehicle 1. Note that the center 4 of the detection range 3 is located on the traveling trajectory of the own vehicle 1, as indicated by the dashed line, before the detection range 3 is changed.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 5, the identification unit 23 identifies the convoy on the right as the host vehicle convoy. Therefore, in this case, the execution unit 22 positions the center 4 of the detection range 3 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 on the left side of the travel path of the host vehicle 1, as shown by the solid line. As a result, the center of the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 is positioned on the left side of the travel path of the host vehicle 1. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the detection range 3 of the surrounding environment sensor 14 (i.e., the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14) can be placed within the travel lane of the host vehicle 1. This prevents, for example, a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane adjacent to the travel lane of the host vehicle 1 from entering the detection range 3 and being erroneously set as a target vehicle in inter-vehicle distance maintenance control.

[0052] The execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 14 without changing the detection range 3 of the surrounding environment sensor 14. For example, the execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information by not detecting information relating to a specific range within the detection range 3 (for example, in the example of FIG. 5, the range to the right of the travel path of the host vehicle 1) as the surrounding environment information.

[0053] The above describes an example in which the execution unit 22 changes the detection range of the surrounding environment information used in the adaptive cruise control in step S104. However, in step S104, the execution unit 22 may perform processing other than the above processing as the processing of the adaptive cruise control based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. For example, the execution unit 22 may set a target vehicle for the following distance maintenance control in the adaptive cruise control based on the identification result by the identification unit 23.

[0054] The above describes an example in which adaptive cruise control is executed based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. However, as described above, the execution unit 22 may execute an operation other than adaptive cruise control as a driving assistance operation.

[0055] As described above, the driving assistance operation may include a vehicle control operation that controls the behavior of the host vehicle 1. That is, the execution unit 22 may execute a vehicle control operation other than adaptive cruise control as the driving assistance operation. The execution unit 22 may then execute a vehicle control operation other than adaptive cruise control based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. An example of a vehicle control operation other than adaptive cruise control is a collision avoidance operation. The collision avoidance operation is an operation that controls the behavior of the host vehicle 1 so as to avoid a collision between the host vehicle 1 and a surrounding vehicle. For example, the collision avoidance operation is an operation that automatically generates a braking force on the host vehicle 1 so as to avoid a collision between the host vehicle 1 and a leading vehicle. For example, the execution unit 22 may change the detection range of the surrounding environment information used for the collision avoidance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23, as in the example of FIG. 5 .

[0056] As described above, the driving assistance operation may include a notification operation for providing a notification to the rider. That is, the execution unit 22 may execute the notification operation as the driving assistance operation. Then, the execution unit 22 may execute the notification operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. An example of the notification operation is a display operation for displaying information on the position of the vehicle 1 within a group (e.g., a convoy of vehicles) on the display device 13. In the display operation, for example, information indicating the position of the vehicle 1 within the group itself may be displayed, or information for moving the vehicle 1 to an appropriate position within the group may be displayed. For example, the execution unit 22 may change the information displayed by the display device 13 in the display operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. Note that the notification operation may also include an operation for providing a notification other than a display (e.g., audio output, etc.).

[0057] In the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, when it is determined that the group driving mode is being executed (step S102 / YES), the processing from step S103 onward is performed. However, the execution condition for executing the processing from step S103 onward is not limited to this example. The execution condition may be any condition that determines that a group including the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 is driving in a group. For example, the execution condition may be that the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 are determined to be driving in a zigzag formation. The control device 20 can obtain information indicating the positional relationship between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2, for example, via wireless communication with the other vehicle 2 or infrastructure equipment, and use the information to determine whether the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 are driving in a zigzag formation.

[0058] The process of identifying the own vehicle convoy (i.e., the process of step S103 in FIG. 4) performed by the identification unit 23 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Note that, as examples of the process of identifying the own vehicle convoy, a first example shown in Figure 6 and a second example shown in Figure 11 will be described below in this order.

[0059] In the first example shown in Fig. 6, a first identification process and a second identification process are performed as the identification process. On the other hand, in the second example shown in Fig. 11, the second identification process is not performed as the identification process, but the first identification process is performed. The first identification process is a process for identifying whether the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification is located in a first vehicle convoy to which the vehicle convoy identification reference vehicle belongs, or in a second vehicle convoy to which the vehicle convoy identification reference vehicle does not belong. The second identification process is a process for identifying whether the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification is located between the first and second vehicle convoys.

[0060] As described above, the vehicle to be identified as a convoy is one of the multiple motorcycles that make up the group that is to be identified as a convoy by the identification unit 23. The reference vehicle to be identified as a convoy is one of the multiple motorcycles that make up the group that is referenced when identifying the convoy in which the vehicle to be identified as a convoy is located. The following mainly describes an example in which the vehicle to be identified as a convoy is the subject vehicle 1 and the reference vehicle to be identified as a convoy is another vehicle 2. However, as will be described later, the vehicle to be identified as a convoy may be another vehicle 2 and the reference vehicle to be identified as a convoy is the subject vehicle 1.

[0061] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a first example of the identification process performed by the control device 20. Specifically, the control flow shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the identification unit 23 in step S103 in Fig. 4. Step S201 in Fig. 6 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 6. Step S208 in Fig. 6 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 6.

[0062] When the control flow shown in FIG. 6 starts, in step S202, the identification unit 23 determines the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2. The lateral distance D is the distance between the vehicles in the vehicle width direction. The lateral distance D may be the distance between the centers of the vehicles or the distance between the ends of the vehicles. The lateral distance D may also be a horizontal distance (for example, an actual measured value) or a distance in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The lateral distance D may be a distance that can be substantially converted into these distances.

[0063] In step S202, for example, the identification unit 23 identifies the relative position of the other vehicle 2 with respect to the host vehicle 1. The relative position of the other vehicle 2 with respect to the host vehicle 1 can be identified, for example, based on the output result of the surrounding environment sensor 14. Next, the identification unit 23 identifies the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1. The travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1 can be identified, for example, based on information acquired from the navigation device 16. Then, the identification unit 23 determines the distance between the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 as the lateral distance D based on the identification result of the relative position of the other vehicle 2 with respect to the host vehicle 1 and the identification result of the travel trajectory of the host vehicle 1.

[0064] Next, in step S203, the identification unit 23 determines whether the lateral distance D is shorter than a first reference distance D1. The first reference distance D1 is set to a distance that allows determination of whether the host vehicle 1 is located in a first convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs. The first reference distance D1 is shorter than a second reference distance D2, which will be described later. Note that the first reference distance D1 may be a fixed value, or may be a value that changes depending on various parameters (for example, the lane width of the road, etc.).

[0065] In step S203, if it is determined that the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1 (step S203 / YES), the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs, and the control flow shown in Fig. 6 ends.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the lateral distance D between the motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) and another vehicle 2b is shorter than the first reference distance D1. In the example of FIG. 7, multiple motorcycles that make up a group are traveling straight. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the traveling trajectory 5 of the host vehicle 1 is linear. In the example of FIG. 7, the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 2b that belongs to the left-hand convoy is shorter than the first reference distance D1. Here, the first convoy to which the other vehicle 2b belongs is the left-hand convoy. Therefore, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the left-hand convoy.

[0067] 6, if it is not determined that the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1 (step S203 / NO), the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the identification unit 23 determines whether the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2. The second reference distance D2 is set to a distance that allows determination of whether the host vehicle 1 is located in a second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong. Note that, like the first reference distance D1, the second reference distance D2 may be a fixed value, or may be a value that changes depending on various parameters (for example, the lane width of the road).

[0068] In step S205, if it is determined that the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2 (step S205 / YES), the process proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located in a second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong, and the control flow shown in Fig. 6 ends.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the lateral distance D between the motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) and another vehicle 2b is longer than the second reference distance D2. In the example of FIG. 8, similar to the example of FIG. 7, multiple motorcycles making up a group are traveling straight, and the traveling trajectory 5 of the host vehicle 1 is linear. In the example of FIG. 8, the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 2b belonging to the left-hand convoy is longer than the second reference distance D2. Here, the second convoy to which the other vehicle 2b does not belong is the right-hand convoy. Therefore, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the right-hand convoy.

[0070] 6, if it is not determined that the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2 (step S205 / NO), the process proceeds to step S207. If the determination in step S205 is NO, this corresponds to the case where the lateral distance D is longer than the first reference distance D1 and shorter than the second reference distance D2. In this case, in step S207, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located between the first vehicle convoy and the second vehicle convoy, and the control flow shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a case where the lateral distance D between the motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) and another vehicle 2b is longer than the first reference distance D1 and shorter than the second reference distance D2. In the example of FIG. 9, similar to the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, the multiple motorcycles that make up the group are traveling straight, and the traveling trajectory 5 of the host vehicle 1 is linear. In the example of FIG. 9, the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 2b belonging to the left-hand convoy is longer than the first reference distance D1 and shorter than the second reference distance D2. Therefore, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located between the left-hand convoy and the right-hand convoy.

[0072] As described above, in the first example shown in Fig. 6, as the identification process for identifying the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group, the identification unit 23 performs a first identification process (specifically, a process for identifying whether the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs, or in the second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong) and a second identification process (specifically, a process for identifying whether the host vehicle 1 is located between the first and second vehicle convoys). This makes it possible to identify whether the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy, the second vehicle convoy, or between the first and second vehicle convoys. Therefore, the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group can be identified with high accuracy.

[0073] Specifically, the identification unit 23 performs a first identification process and a second identification process based on the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2. This allows the identification unit 23 to appropriately identify whether the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy, the second vehicle convoy, or between the first and second vehicle convoys. In more detail, in the first identification process, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in either the first vehicle convoy or the second vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is shorter than a first reference distance D1 or longer than a second reference distance D2 that is longer than the first reference distance D1. More specifically, in the first identification process, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the first vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1, and identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the second vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2. Furthermore, in the second identification process, if the lateral distance D is longer than the first reference distance D1 and shorter than the second reference distance D2, the identification unit 23 identifies that the vehicle 1 is located between the first vehicle line and the second vehicle line.

[0074] Here, the identification unit 23 may determine the lateral distance D based on shape information of the road. The shape information of the road may include various information related to the shape of the road. Examples of the shape information of the road include information indicating the curvature of the road. For example, the identification unit 23 may identify the travel path 5 of the vehicle 1 based on the curvature of the road, and determine the lateral distance D based on the identified travel path 5.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a group including a motorcycle 1 (i.e., the host vehicle 1) traveling around a curve. In the example of FIG. 10, the multiple motorcycles that make up the group are traveling around a curve, so the traveling path 5 of the host vehicle 1 is curved. Therefore, by identifying the traveling path 5 of the host vehicle 1 based on the curvature of the road, the traveling path 5 can be appropriately identified. Therefore, the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and another vehicle 2b belonging to the left-hand convoy can be appropriately determined.

[0076] Furthermore, the lateral distance D may be a distance predicted in the future. For example, when the lateral distance D shows a decreasing trend, the identification unit 23 may take into account the rate at which the lateral distance D decreases, predict the lateral distance D after a predetermined time has elapsed, and perform an identification process (for example, the above-described process shown in FIG. 6) to identify the position of the vehicle 1 within the group using the predicted future lateral distance D. This can reduce the delay until a change in the lateral distance D is reflected in the driving assistance operation, compared to when the identification process is performed using the current lateral distance D.

[0077] When the first identification process and the second identification process are performed based on the lateral distance D, the identification unit 23 may determine the lateral distance D based on shape information of the road, or may determine the lateral distance D without based on shape information of the road, regardless of how the first identification process and the second identification process are performed. Also, when the first identification process and the second identification process are performed based on the lateral distance D, the lateral distance D may be a distance predicted in the future or may be the current lateral distance D, regardless of how the first identification process and the second identification process are performed.

[0078] In the above, an example has been described in which two thresholds, a first reference distance and a second reference distance, are used as thresholds for identifying the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group. However, three or more types of reference distances may be used as thresholds. This allows the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group to be identified with greater accuracy. For example, by adding a reference distance shorter than the first reference distance D1, the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group can be identified with greater accuracy when the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1. Furthermore, for example, by adding a reference distance longer than the second reference distance D2, the position of the host vehicle 1 within the group can be identified with greater accuracy when the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2.

[0079] 7 to 10, the description has been given above mainly of an example in which the reference vehicle for vehicle procession identification is the other vehicle 2b among the multiple other vehicles 2. However, when the target vehicle for vehicle procession identification is the subject vehicle 1 and the reference vehicle for vehicle procession identification is the other vehicle 2, the reference vehicle for vehicle procession identification may be any other vehicle 2 other than the other vehicle 2b.

[0080] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a second example of the identification process performed by the control device 20. Specifically, the control flow shown in Fig. 11 is executed by the identification unit 23 in step S103 in Fig. 4. Step S301 in Fig. 11 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 11. Step S310 in Fig. 11 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 11.

[0081] 11 starts, in step S302, the identification unit 23 determines the lateral distance D between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2. The processing in step S302 is the same as the processing in step S202 in FIG.

[0082] Next, in step S303, the identification unit 23 determines whether the lateral distance D is shorter than a third reference distance D3. The third reference distance D3 is set to a distance that allows determination of whether the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located is a first vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs, or a second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong. The third reference distance D3 is, for example, longer than the first reference distance D1 described above and shorter than the second reference distance D2 described above. A case in which the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3 corresponds to a case in which the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy. On the other hand, a case in which the lateral distance D is longer than the third reference distance D3 corresponds to a case in which the host vehicle 1 is located in the second vehicle convoy. Note that, like the first reference distance D1 and the second reference distance D2, the third reference distance D3 may be a fixed value or a value that varies depending on various parameters (e.g., the lane width of the road, etc.).

[0083] In step S303, if it is determined that the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3 (step S303 / YES), the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the identification unit 23 determines whether or not a reference time has elapsed since the processing of step S303. In step S304, if it is not determined that the reference time has elapsed (step S304 / NO), the process proceeds to step S305.

[0084] In step S305, the identification unit 23 determines whether the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3. If it is determined in step S305 that the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3 (step S305 / YES), the process returns to step S304. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S305 that the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3 (step S305 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0085] While step S304 is determined to be NO and step S305 is determined to be YES, steps S304 and S305 are repeated. If step S304 determines that the reference time has elapsed (step S304 / YES), the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located in the first vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs, and the control flow shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0086] As described above, when step S304 returns YES, this corresponds to a case where the host vehicle 1 has been located in the first vehicle convoy for at least the reference time. In other words, in the second example shown in Fig. 11, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the first vehicle convoy when the host vehicle 1 has been located in the first vehicle convoy for at least the reference time. The reference time in step S304 may be a fixed value, or may be a value that changes depending on various parameters (for example, the longitudinal position of the host vehicle 1 within the group, etc.).

[0087] In step S303, if it is not determined that the lateral distance D is shorter than the third reference distance D3 (step S303 / NO), the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the identification unit 23 determines whether or not a reference time has elapsed since the processing of step S303. In step S307, if it is not determined that the reference time has elapsed (step S307 / NO), the process proceeds to step S308.

[0088] In step S308, the identification unit 23 determines whether the lateral distance D is longer than the third reference distance D3. If it is determined in step S308 that the lateral distance D is longer than the third reference distance D3 (step S308 / YES), the process returns to step S307. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S308 that the lateral distance D is longer than the third reference distance D3 (step S308 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0089] While step S307 is determined to be NO and step S308 is determined to be YES, steps S307 and S308 are repeated. If step S307 determines that the reference time has elapsed (step S307 / YES), the process proceeds to step S309. In step S309, the identification unit 23 identifies that the host vehicle 1 is located in a second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong, and the control flow shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0090] As described above, when step S307 returns YES, this corresponds to the case where step S308 returns YES for at least the reference time, and therefore corresponds to the case where the host vehicle 1 is located in the second vehicle convoy for at least the reference time. That is, in the second example shown in Fig. 11, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the second vehicle convoy when the host vehicle 1 is located in the second vehicle convoy for at least the reference time. The reference time in step S307 is the same as the reference time in step S304.

[0091] As described above, in the second example shown in FIG. 11 , as the identification process for identifying the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located within the group, the identification unit 23 performs the first identification process without performing the second identification process. Here, in the first identification process, if the host vehicle 1 is located in either the first vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 belongs or the second vehicle convoy to which the other vehicle 2 does not belong for at least a reference time, the identification unit 23 identifies the host vehicle 1 as being located in the one of the vehicle convoys. This prevents changes in the identification result of the vehicle convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located within the group when the position of the host vehicle 1 temporarily changes. Therefore, frequent changes in the identification result by the identification unit 23 can be prevented, thereby improving the robustness of the driving assistance operation.

[0092] In this embodiment, as in the first example shown in FIG. 6 and the second example shown in FIG. 11, when a group is traveling, the identification unit 23 performs a first identification process based on the surrounding environment information of the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification, to determine whether the vehicle is located in a first convoy to which a reference vehicle for vehicle convoy identification (another vehicle 2 in the above example) belongs, or in a second convoy to which no reference vehicle for vehicle convoy identification belongs. The execution unit 22 then executes a driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. This allows the driving assistance operation to be appropriately executed in accordance with the traffic conditions around the subject vehicle 1 when a group is traveling. This allows the driving assistance operation of the rider of the motorcycle 1 to be appropriately supported when traveling in a group.

[0093] The identification unit 23 may perform only one of the processes of the first example shown in FIG. 6 and the second example shown in FIG. 11, for example. However, the identification unit 23 may perform both the processes of the first example shown in FIG. 6 and the second example shown in FIG. 11. In this case, the execution unit 22 may use the identification result of the first example shown in FIG. 6 and the identification result of the second example shown in FIG. 11 for different types of driving assistance operations. In the first example shown in FIG. 6, the second identification process is performed, so the position of the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy (the subject vehicle 1 in the above example) within the group can be identified with high accuracy. On the other hand, in the second example shown in FIG. 11, the first identification process is performed without the second identification process. This prevents frequent changes in the identification result of the vehicle convoy in which the subject vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy (the subject vehicle 1 in the above example) is located, thereby improving the robustness of the driving assistance operation.

[0094] For example, the identification unit 23 may execute a vehicle control operation (e.g., adaptive cruise control) based on the identification result of the second example shown in FIG. 11. That is, the identification unit 23 may execute a vehicle control operation based on the identification result of the first identification process. This can improve the robustness of the vehicle control operation. Furthermore, the identification unit 23 may execute a notification operation (e.g., a display operation that causes the display device 13 to display information regarding the position of the vehicle 1 within the group) based on the identification result of the first example shown in FIG. 6. That is, the identification unit 23 may execute a notification operation based on the identification result of the second identification process. This can improve the accuracy of the information notified by the notification operation.

[0095] The identification unit 23 may switch between performing the first example of the identification process shown in FIG. 6 and the second example of the identification process shown in FIG. 11 based on various parameters. Examples of such parameters include the lane width of the road. For example, the identification unit 23 may perform the first example of the identification process shown in FIG. 6 when the lane width of the road is longer than the reference lane width, and may perform the second example of the identification process shown in FIG. 11 when the lane width of the road is shorter than the reference lane width. That is, the identification unit 23 may permit the second identification process when the lane width of the road is longer than the reference lane width, and prohibit the second identification process when the lane width of the road is shorter than the reference lane width. This allows the second identification process to be prohibited when the lane width of the road is excessively short and there is little need to identify whether the host vehicle 1 is located between the first and second vehicle convoys.

[0096] The above describes an example in which the process of identifying the position of the vehicle 1 within the group is performed based on the ambient environment information ahead of the vehicle 1. However, the identification unit 23 may also perform the process of identifying the position of the vehicle 1 within the group based on at least one of the ambient environment information behind the vehicle 1 and the ambient environment information on the sides of the vehicle 1.

[0097] The above mainly describes an example in which the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification is the subject vehicle 1 and the reference vehicle for vehicle convoy identification is another vehicle 2. However, the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification may be another vehicle 2 and the reference vehicle for vehicle convoy identification may be the subject vehicle 1. Note that when the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification is another vehicle 2 and the reference vehicle for vehicle convoy identification is the subject vehicle 1, the vehicle to be identified as a subject of vehicle convoy identification may be any one of the multiple other vehicles 2.

[0098] When the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy is another vehicle 2 and the vehicle convoy identification reference vehicle is the subject vehicle 1, the identification unit 23 identifies, in a first identification process, whether the other vehicle 2 is located in a first vehicle convoy to which the subject vehicle 1 belongs, or in a second vehicle convoy to which the subject vehicle 1 does not belong. The first identification process may be performed, for example, based on the lateral distance D between the subject vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2, similar to the first example shown in FIG. 6 or the second example shown in FIG. 11 described above. Furthermore, in a second identification process, the identification unit 23 identifies whether the other vehicle 2 is located between the first vehicle convoy and the second vehicle convoy. The second identification process may be performed, for example, based on the lateral distance D between the subject vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2, similar to the first example shown in FIG. 6 described above.

[0099] <Effects of the control device> The effects of the control device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0100] In the control device 20, when a group consisting of multiple motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, the identification unit 23 performs a first identification process to identify whether a convoy identification target vehicle (in the above example, the subject vehicle 1) that is a motorcycle in the group is located in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle (in the above example, the other vehicle 2) that is also a motorcycle in the group belongs, or whether it is located in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle does not belong, based on the surrounding environment information of the subject vehicle. The execution unit 22 then executes a driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit 23. This allows the driving assistance operation to be executed appropriately according to the traffic conditions around the subject vehicle 1 when the group is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately assist the rider of the motorcycle 1 in driving during group traveling.

[0101] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23 performs, in addition to the first identification process, a second identification process for identifying whether the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy is located between the first and second vehicle convoys. This not only makes it possible to identify whether the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy is located in the first or second vehicle convoy, but also to identify whether the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy is located between the first and second vehicle convoys. Therefore, the position of the vehicle to be identified as a vehicle convoy within the group can be identified with high accuracy.

[0102] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23 performs the first identification process and the second identification process based on the lateral distance D between the vehicle to be identified in the vehicle convoy and the reference vehicle to be identified in the vehicle convoy. This makes it possible to appropriately identify whether the vehicle to be identified in the vehicle convoy is located in the first vehicle convoy, the second vehicle convoy, or between the first and second vehicle convoys.

[0103] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23 determines the lateral distance D based on road shape information. This allows the travel path 5 of the vehicle 1 to be identified appropriately even when multiple motorcycles making up the group are traveling on a curve, and therefore the lateral distance D can be determined appropriately.

[0104] Preferably, in the control device 20, the lateral distance D is a distance predicted in the future. This can reduce the delay until a change in the lateral distance D is reflected in the driving assistance operation, compared to when the specific processing is performed using the current lateral distance D.

[0105] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23 identifies, in the first identification process, the vehicle to be identified as a target vehicle of the vehicle convoy as being located in either the first or second vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1 or longer than a second reference distance D2 that is longer than the first reference distance D1, and identifies, in the second identification process, the vehicle to be identified as a target vehicle of the vehicle convoy as being located between the first and second vehicle convoys if the lateral distance D is longer than the first reference distance D1 and shorter than the second reference distance D2. This makes it possible to appropriately identify, based on the lateral distance D, whether the vehicle to be identified as a target vehicle of the vehicle convoy is located in either the first or second vehicle convoy, or between the first and second vehicle convoys.

[0106] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23, in the first identification process, identifies the vehicle to be identified as being in the first vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is shorter than the first reference distance D1, and identifies the vehicle to be identified as being in the second vehicle convoy if the lateral distance D is longer than the second reference distance D2. This makes it possible to appropriately identify whether the vehicle to be identified as being in the first vehicle convoy or the second vehicle convoy based on the lateral distance D.

[0107] Preferably, in the control device 20, the identification unit 23 identifies the vehicle to be identified as being in either the first or second convoy in the first identification process when the vehicle to be identified as being in either the first or second convoy for at least a reference time. This prevents changes in the identification result of the convoy in which the vehicle to be identified as being in within the group is located when the position of the vehicle to be identified as being in the convoy temporarily changes. This prevents frequent changes in the identification result by the identification unit 23, thereby improving the robustness of the driving assistance operation.

[0108] Preferably, in the control device 20, the vehicle to be identified in the convoy is the subject vehicle 1 equipped with the control device 20. This allows the identification process by the identification unit 23 to identify the position of the subject vehicle 1 within the group. Therefore, when a group is traveling, it is possible to appropriately perform driving assistance operations in accordance with the traffic conditions around the subject vehicle 1. This makes it possible to appropriately assist the rider of the motorcycle 1 in driving when traveling in a group.

[0109] Preferably, in the control device 20, the vehicle to be identified as part of the convoy is the host vehicle 1 equipped with the control device 20, the rider (specifically, the rider receiving driving assistance) is the rider of the host vehicle 1, the driving assistance operation includes a vehicle control operation for controlling the behavior of the host vehicle 1, and the execution unit 22 executes the vehicle control operation based on the identification result of the first identification process. This makes it possible to prevent frequent changes in the identification result of the convoy in which the host vehicle 1 is located, thereby improving the robustness of the vehicle control operation.

[0110] Preferably, in the control device 20, the vehicle to be identified in the convoy is the host vehicle 1 equipped with the control device 20, the rider (specifically, the rider who is the target of driving assistance) is the rider of the host vehicle 1, the driving assistance operation includes a vehicle control operation that controls the behavior of the host vehicle 1 and a notification operation that issues a notification to the rider, and the execution unit 22 executes the vehicle control operation based on the identification result of the first identification process and executes the notification operation based on the identification result of the second identification process. This makes it possible to improve the robustness of the vehicle control operation while also improving the accuracy of the information notified by the notification operation.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments, and for example, only a part of the embodiments may be implemented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Motorcycle (host vehicle), 2 Motorcycle (other vehicle), 2a Other vehicle, 2b Other vehicle, 2c Other vehicle, 2d Other vehicle, 3 Detection range, 4 Center, 5 Driving trajectory, 10 Rider assistance system, 11 Engine, 12 Hydraulic pressure control unit, 13 Display device, 14 Surrounding environment sensor, 15 Input device, 16 Navigation device, 17 Front wheel speed sensor, 18 Rear wheel speed sensor, 20 Control device, 21 Acquisition unit, 22 Execution unit, 23 Identification unit, D Lateral distance, D1 First reference distance, D2 Second reference distance, D3 Third reference distance.

Claims

1. A control device (20) for a rider assistance system (10) that assists a rider in driving, comprising: an execution unit (22) that executes a driving assistance operation to assist the rider in driving; Furthermore, when a group consisting of a plurality of motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, an identification unit (23) is provided that, in a first identification process, identifies whether a convoy identification target vehicle (1) that is a motorcycle that is a part of the group is located in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle (2) that is a motorcycle that is a part of the group belongs, or whether it is located in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle (2) does not belong, based on ambient environment information of the convoy identification target vehicle (1); The identification unit (23) performs, in addition to the first identification process, a second identification process to identify whether the vehicle (1) to be identified as a vehicle convoy is located between the first vehicle convoy and the second vehicle convoy; The execution unit (22) executes the driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit (23). Control device.

2. the identification unit (23) performs the first identification process and the second identification process based on a lateral distance (D) between the vehicle sequence identification target vehicle (1) and the vehicle sequence identification reference vehicle (2); The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The determination unit (23) determines the lateral distance (D) based on shape information of the road. The control device according to claim 2 .

4. The lateral distance (D) is a distance predicted into the future. The control device according to claim 2 .

5. The specific part (23) is In the first identification process, if the lateral distance (D) is shorter than a first reference distance (D1) or longer than a second reference distance (D2) that is longer than the first reference distance (D1), the vehicle (1) to be identified as being in one of the first vehicle convoy or the second vehicle convoy is identified; In the second identification process, if the lateral distance (D) is longer than the first reference distance (D1) and shorter than the second reference distance (D2), the vehicle (1) to be identified as being located between the first vehicle convoy and the second vehicle convoy is identified. The control device according to claim 2 .

6. In the first identification process, the identification unit (23) If the lateral distance (D) is shorter than the first reference distance (D1), the vehicle (1) is identified as being in the first vehicle convoy; If the lateral distance (D) is longer than the second reference distance (D2), the vehicle (1) is identified as being in the second vehicle convoy. The control device according to claim 5 .

7. In the first identification process, the identification unit (23) identifies the vehicle (1) to be identified as being located in one of the first and second vehicle convoys when the vehicle (1) to be identified as being located in the one of the first and second vehicle convoys has been located in the one of the first and second vehicle convoys for at least a reference time. The control device according to claim 1 .

8. The vehicle to be identified as a vehicle train is a vehicle (1) equipped with the control device (20). The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The rider is a rider of the host vehicle (1), The driving assistance operation includes a vehicle control operation for controlling the behavior of the host vehicle (1), The execution unit (22) executes the vehicle control operation based on the identification result of the first identification process. The control device according to claim 8.

10. The vehicle to be identified as a vehicle train is a host vehicle (1) equipped with the control device (20), The rider is a rider of the host vehicle (1), The driving assistance operation includes a vehicle control operation for controlling a behavior of the vehicle (1) and a notification operation for providing a notification to the rider, The execution unit (22) Executing the vehicle control operation based on the identification result of the first identification process; executing the announcing action based on the identification result of the second identification process; The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

11. A control method for a rider assistance system (10) that assists a rider in driving, comprising: an execution unit (22) of the control device (20) executes a driving assistance operation to assist the rider in driving; Furthermore, when a group consisting of a plurality of motorcycles is traveling in a convoy, the identification unit (23) of the control device (20) identifies in a first identification process whether a convoy identification target vehicle (1) that is a motorcycle that is a part of the group is located in a first convoy to which a convoy identification reference vehicle (2) that is a motorcycle that is a part of the group belongs, or whether it is located in a second convoy to which the convoy identification reference vehicle (2) does not belong, based on ambient environment information of the convoy identification target vehicle (1); The identification unit (23) performs, in addition to the first identification process, a second identification process to identify whether the vehicle (1) to be identified as a vehicle convoy is located between the first vehicle convoy and the second vehicle convoy; The execution unit (22) executes the driving assistance operation based on the identification result by the identification unit (23). Control method.

Images