Course estimator

Abstract

This disclosure provides as an aspect a course estimator having a curvature radius estimator, a calculator and a determination section. The curvature radius estimator obtains first information on a forward traveling path ahead of a vehicle in a traveling direction of the vehicle at different time points and estimating, on the basis of the first information obtained repeatedly, each curvature radius of the forward traveling path at a respective time. The calculator calculates change information indicating magnitude of time change in curvature radius of the forward traveling path on the basis of the estimated curvature radiuses of the forward traveling paths. The determination section determines whether or not there is a changing point where a road shape of the forward traveling paths changes on the basis of the calculated change information.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.