US-12626597-B2 - Vehicle control based on group and location

Abstract

A vehicle system includes processing circuits configured to monitor locations of a plurality of vehicles relative to an area, control operation of a first vehicle of a first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area, and control operation of a second vehicle of a second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area. The first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on whether the respective vehicle is associated with the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles and a location of the respective vehicle relative to the area.

Inventors

• Preston Sering Easley
• Brianna Danielle Harrington
• Payton Michael Loppnow

Assignees

• TEXTRON INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20241001

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles, the vehicle system comprising: one or more processing circuits configured to: monitor locations of the plurality of vehicles relative to an area, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle associated with a first group of vehicles and a second vehicle associated with a second group of vehicles; control operation of the first vehicle of the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area; and control operation of the second vehicle of the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area; wherein the first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on (i) whether the respective vehicle is associated with the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles and (ii) a location of the respective vehicle relative to the area.
2. 2 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to limit operation of the first vehicle to the first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area, and limit operation of the second vehicle to the second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area.
3. 3 . The vehicle system of claim 2 , wherein the first group mode of operation is more restrictive than the second group mode of operation.
4. 4 . The vehicle system of claim 2 , wherein limiting operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle includes at least one of (i) limiting operation of a prime mover of the first vehicle and a prime mover of the second vehicle, respectively, or (ii) limiting a direction of travel of the first vehicle or a direction of travel of the second vehicle, respectively.
5. 5 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles based on a type of vehicle thereof.
6. 6 . The vehicle system of claim 5 , wherein the first vehicle is a first type and the second vehicle is a second type that is smaller or lighter than the first type, and wherein the first group mode of operation is more restrictive than the second group mode of operation such that operation of larger or heavier vehicles is more restrictive than operation of lighter or smaller vehicles.
7. 7 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles based on at least one of vehicle credentials associated with the respective vehicle or operator credentials of an operator associated with the respective vehicle.
8. 8 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the area is defined by one or more geofences.
9. 9 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the area includes a first area defined by a first geofence and a second area defined by a second geofence.
10. 10 . The vehicle system of claim 9 , wherein, when the locations indicate that the first vehicle or the second vehicle is located in the first area, the first group mode of operation and the second group mode of operation are less restrictive than the first group mode of operation and the second group mode of operation when the locations indicate the first vehicle or the second vehicle is located in the second area.
11. 11 . The vehicle system of claim 9 , wherein, when the locations indicate that the first vehicle or the second vehicle is located in the first area, the first group mode of operation and the second group mode of operation are more restrictive than the first group mode of operation and the second group mode of operation when the locations indicate the first vehicle or the second vehicle is located in the second area.
12. 12 . The vehicle system of claim 9 , wherein the second geofence is positioned within the first geofence.
13. 13 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to: transition at least one of the first group mode of operation or the second group mode of operation to a first mode of operation to permit unrestricted operation of at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle when the locations indicate that the first vehicle and the second vehicle are located outside of the area; and transition at least one of the first group mode of operation or the second group mode of operation to a second mode of operation to limit operation of at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle when the locations indicate that the first vehicle and the second vehicle are located in the area.
14. 14 . The vehicle system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to (i) transition one of the first group mode of operation or the second group mode of operation to the first mode of operation and (ii) transition the other one of the first group mode of operation or the second group mode of operation to a third mode of operation that is more restrictive than the first mode of operation and less restrictive than the second mode of operation when the locations indicate that the first vehicle and the second vehicle are located outside of the area.
15. 15 . The vehicle system of claim 13 , wherein, in the first mode of operation, the one or more processing circuits are configured to permit operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle at or below a first maximum threshold speed and a second maximum threshold speed, respectively.
16. 16 . The vehicle system of claim 15 , wherein, in the first mode of operation, the one or more processing circuits are configured to limit operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle at or below the first maximum threshold speed and the second maximum threshold speed, respectively, even when a speed limit is greater than the first maximum threshold speed and the second maximum threshold speed.
17. 17 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the first vehicle is one of a utility task vehicle, a low speed vehicle, a lightweight or recreational vehicle, a personal transport vehicle, a shuttle vehicle, a maintenance vehicle, a golf cart, or an all-terrain vehicle.
18. 18 . The vehicle system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits includes at least one of (i) a first processing circuit located on each of the plurality of vehicles or (ii) a second processing circuit located remote from the plurality of vehicles.
19. 19 . A vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles, the vehicle system comprising: one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: group each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles in a first group of vehicles or a second group of vehicles; limit operation of a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles grouped in the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation; and limit operation of a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles grouped in the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation; wherein the first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on whether the respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles, and wherein the respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles based on at least one of (i) a type of vehicle thereof or (ii) at least one of vehicle credentials associated with the respective vehicle or operator credentials of an operator associated with the respective vehicle.
20. 20 . A vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles, the vehicle system comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: monitor locations of the plurality of vehicles relative to an area, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle associated with a first group of vehicles and a second vehicle associated with a second group of vehicles; control operation of the first vehicle of the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area; and control operation of the second vehicle of the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area; wherein the first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on (i) whether the respective vehicle is associated with the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles and (ii) a location of the respective vehicle relative to the area.

Description

BACKGROUND Vehicles such as passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles may vary in size, weight, purpose, and maneuverability. Operators of these vehicles have different levels of credentials, experience, and qualifications. The differences between the vehicles and the operators controlling the vehicles can create challenges in areas that require attentive operation of the vehicle by the operator such as in high pedestrian traffic zones or hazardous environments where varying vehicle capabilities and operator experience impact safety and performance. SUMMARY One embodiment relates to a vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle system includes one or more processing circuits configured to monitor locations of the plurality of vehicles relative to an area, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle associated with a first group of vehicles and a second vehicle associated with a second group of vehicles, control operation of the first vehicle of the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area, and control operation of the second vehicle of the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area. The first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on (i) whether the respective vehicle is associated with the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles and (ii) a location of the respective vehicle relative to the area. Another embodiment relates to a vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle system includes one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors. The one or more memory devices are configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to group each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles in a first group of vehicles or a second group of vehicles, limit operation of a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles grouped in the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation, and limit operation of a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles grouped in the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation. The first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on whether the respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles. The respective vehicle is grouped in the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles based on at least one of (i) a type of vehicle thereof or (ii) at least one of vehicle credentials associated with the respective vehicle or operator credentials of an operator associated with the respective vehicle. Still another embodiment relates to a vehicle system for controlling operation of a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle system includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to monitor locations of the plurality of vehicles relative to an area, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle associated with a first group of vehicles and a second vehicle associated with a second group of vehicles, control operation of the first vehicle of the first group of vehicles in a first group mode of operation when the location indicates that the first vehicle is located in the area, and control operation of the second vehicle of the second group of vehicles in a second group mode of operation when the location indicates that the second vehicle is located in the area. The first group mode of operation is different than the second group mode of operation such that operation of a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is controlled based on (i) whether the respective vehicle is associated with the first group of vehicles or the second group of vehicles and (ii) a location of the respective vehicle relative to the area. This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a fleet monitoring and control system including a p