Vehicle Control Apparatus and Vehicle Control Method

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store a parameter associated with speed-based distance adjustment;
• and
• a processor, by executing program instructions, configured to:
• determine, based on the parameter and a speed of the vehicle, at least one distance between the vehicle and at least one target, wherein the at least one distance is a varying distance based on the speed of the vehicle,
• identify, based on the at least one distance, a risk area among a plurality of risk areas, wherein at the least one target is located in the risk area, wherein the plurality of risk areas are generated by dividing a sidewalk into a plurality of areas, and wherein the sidewalk is within a threshold distance from a road on which the vehicle is traveling;
• determine a start point of a segment associated with the risk area and determine an end point of the segment associated with the risk area, wherein a target speed is set for the risk area;
• and
• control the speed of the vehicle from the start point such that the speed of the vehicle reaches the target speed at the end point.