IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,654,504
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,504 · App. 18/673,817 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

System and method for adjusting the pitch of a vehicle to improve visibility

Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda (San Carlos, CA); Andrea Michelle Rios Lazcano (Brussels, BE)
Assignees: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
B60G17/016G06V20/597B60G2400/823B60G2500/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,504
App. No.
18/673,817
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The systems and methods for adjusting the pitch of a vehicle to improve visibility are described herein. In one example, a system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a physical characteristic of an occupant of a vehicle and control a vehicle suspension system to adjust the pitch of the vehicle based on the physical characteristic. By so doing, the visibility of the occupant can be improved.

Claims (29)

1 . A system disposed within a vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine a physical characteristic of an occupant of a vehicle, and

control a vehicle suspension system to adjust a pitch of the vehicle based on the physical characteristic and a location of an object that is forward of the vehicle.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the physical characteristic includes a height of the occupant, a seating position of the occupant, an occupant facial position when the occupant is seated within the vehicle, and an occupant field of view when the occupant is seated within the vehicle.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine the physical characteristic of the occupant using at least one of vehicle cabin sensor data and an input from the occupant.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to lower a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension and raise a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to raise a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension and lower a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the occupant is a driver of the vehicle.

7 . A method comprising:

determining a physical characteristic of an occupant of a vehicle, and

controlling a vehicle suspension system to adjust a pitch of the vehicle based on the physical characteristic and a location of an object that is forward of the vehicle.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the physical characteristic includes a height of the occupant, a seating position of the occupant, an occupant facial position when the occupant is seated within the vehicle, and an occupant field of view when the occupant is seated within the vehicle.

9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining the physical characteristic of the occupant using at least one of vehicle cabin sensor data and an input from the occupant.

10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

lowering a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension; and

raising a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

raising a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension; and

lowering a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the occupant is a driver of the vehicle.

13 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

determine a physical characteristic of an occupant of a vehicle, and

control a vehicle suspension system to adjust a pitch of the vehicle based on the physical characteristic and a location of an object that is forward of the vehicle.

14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the physical characteristic includes a height of the occupant, a seating position of the occupant, an occupant facial position when the occupant is seated within the vehicle, an occupant field of view when the occupant is seated within the vehicle.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine the physical characteristic of the occupant using at least one of vehicle cabin sensor data and an input from the occupant.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to lower a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension and raise a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to raise a front end of the vehicle by controlling a front suspension and lower a rear end of the vehicle by controlling a rear suspension.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2026
From: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 075533/0826 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2024
From: YASUDA, HIROSHI; RIOS LAZCANO, ANDREA MICHELLE
To: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 068544/0189 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250360767A1 · Nov 27, 2025
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