METHOD AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOVEMENT OF A GROUP OF ROAD VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A method for controlling movement of a group of road vehicles, the group comprising a lead vehicle and one or more additional vehicles, the lead vehicle comprising a first control unit and a first communication means, the one or more additional vehicles each comprising a second control unit which is adapted to in an at least partly automated mode have the movement of the one or more additional vehicle controlled by the first control unit of the lead vehicle, the one or more additional vehicles each further comprising a second communication means for communication with the first communication means of the lead vehicle, the method comprising:
- controlling the group of road vehicles by the first control unit of the lead vehicle so as to move as a body, a shape of the body being variable, the vehicles of the group thereby cooperating with each other, wherein the vehicles of the group are moveable relative to each other within the group as regards longitudinal position, lateral position, speed and/or acceleration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for controlling movement of a group of vehicles that includes a lead vehicle and one or more additional vehicles. The lead vehicle includes a first control unit and a first wireless communication device. Each additional vehicle includes a second control unit adapted to in an at least partly automated mode have the movement of the additional vehicle controlled by the first control unit of the lead vehicle. Each additional vehicle also includes a second wireless communication device for communication with the first communication device of the lead vehicle. The vehicles of the group are moveable relative to each other within the group as regards longitudinal position, lateral position, speed and/or acceleration. The group of vehicles are controllable by the first control unit of the lead vehicle so as to move as a body having a variable shape, thereby cooperating with each other.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling movement of a group of road vehicles, the group comprising a lead vehicle and one or more additional vehicles, the lead vehicle comprising a first control unit and a first communication means, the one or more additional vehicles each comprising a second control unit which is adapted to in an at least partly automated mode have the movement of the one or more additional vehicle controlled by the first control unit of the lead vehicle, the one or more additional vehicles each further comprising a second communication means for communication with the first communication means of the lead vehicle, the method comprising:
controlling the group of road vehicles by the first control unit of the lead vehicle so as to move as a body, a shape of the body being variable, the vehicles of the group thereby cooperating with each other, wherein the vehicles of the group are moveable relative to each other within the group as regards longitudinal position, lateral position, speed and/or acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of forming a group of road vehicles, the method comprising:
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detecting, by a first vehicle, which is driven at least partly autonomously or is adapted to be driven at least partly autonomously, one or more second vehicles in the vicinity of the first vehicle, the one or more second vehicles being driven at least partly autonomously or being adapted to be driven at least partly autonomously; and forming a group of vehicles at least partly autonomously, the group comprising the first vehicle and the one or more second vehicles detected. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A control system for controlling movement of a group of road vehicles, the group comprising a lead vehicle and one or more additional vehicles, the control system comprising:
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a first control unit located in the lead vehicle; and a first communication means located in the lead vehicle; wherein the first control unit is configured to control movement of the one or more additional vehicles, the one or more additional vehicles each comprising a second control unit located therein, the second control unit being adapted to in an at least partly automated mode allow the movement of the additional vehicle hosting the second control unit to be controlled by the first control unit of the lead vehicle, the one or more additional vehicles each further comprising a second communication means located therein for communication with the first communication means of the lead vehicle; wherein the vehicles of the group are moveable relative to each other within the group as regards longitudinal position, lateral position, speed and/or acceleration; wherein the control system is adapted to control the group of vehicles so as to move as a body, a shape of the body being variable, the vehicles of the group thereby cooperating with each other. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification