Speed control system and method of operating the same

An off-highway speed control system for a vehicle, comprising an electronic control unit (ECU), the ECU configured to:

• identify a terrain type;
• identify a pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag based at least in part on the terrain type, wherein the identifying of the pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag based at least in part on the terrain type comprises determining that the vehicle is transitioning from one surface type having a first surface coefficient of friction and rolling resistance to a further surface type having a second surface coefficient of friction and rolling resistance;
• monitor vehicle speed;
• predict where a change in said at least one component of vehicle drag may result in a speed overshoot event or a speed undershoot event as a result of the determined transition from the one surface type to the further surface type;
• and
• in response to said predicted speed overshoot event or speed undershoot event, automatically command an application of an appropriate opposing torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to counteract said predicted speed overshoot event or undershoot event.

A vehicle comprising an off-highway speed control system, wherein said speed control system comprises an electronic control unit (ECU), the ECU configured to:

• identify a terrain type;
• identify a pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag based at least in part on the terrain type, wherein the identifying of the pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag based at least in part on the terrain type comprises determining that the vehicle is transitioning from one surface type having a first surface coefficient of friction and rolling resistance to a further surface type having a second surface coefficient of friction and rolling resistance;
• monitor vehicle speed;
• predict where a change in said at least one component of vehicle drag may result in a speed overshoot event or a speed undershoot event as a result of the determined transition from the one surface type to the further surface type;
• and
• in response to said predicted speed overshoot event or speed undershoot event, automatically command an application of an appropriate opposing torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to counteract said predicted speed overshoot event or undershoot event.