System and method for controlling the speed of a vehicle

1. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, comprising:

providing a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds therein, including a group of predefined and discrete set-speeds for each of a plurality of different types of terrain, each group representing a subset of the plurality of predefined set-speeds;

evaluating with an electronic control unit one or more conditions relating to the type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling to select one of the predefined set-speed groups in view of the evaluated condition(s);

selecting a desired set-speed only from the selected group of predefined and discrete set-speeds stored in the memory device; and

causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step comprises one of:

receiving a user input corresponding to the selected set-speed; and

automatically selecting the desired set-speed based on one or more predetermined conditions relating to the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the plurality of predefined set-speeds on a display device.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

defining a set-speed during operation of the vehicle; and

storing the defined set-speed in a data structure of the memory device as one of the plurality of predefined set-speeds.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein when it is determined that the selected set-speed is not appropriate, the method further comprises automatically:

identifying an appropriate set-speed from the plurality of predefined set-speeds that is closest to the selected set-speed; and

causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the identified set-speed.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically determining the particular type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling and then determining if the speed is appropriate for that particular type of terrain.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

when it is determined that the selected set-speed is not appropriate, prompting the user to confirm that the selected set-speed is desired; and

causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed only when a user input is received confirming that the selected set-speed is desired.

8. A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, comprising:

providing a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds therein, including a group of predefined and discrete set-speeds for each of a plurality of different types of terrain, each group representing a subset of the plurality of predefined set-speeds;

evaluating one or more conditions relating to the vehicle to select one of the predefined set-speed groups in view of the evaluated condition(s);

selecting a desired set-speed only from the selected group of predefined and discrete set-speeds; and

causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more predetermined conditions relate to the type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling, and further wherein:

the evaluating step comprises evaluating the particular type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling; and

the selecting step comprises selecting a desired set-speed only from those set-speeds of the plurality of defined set-speeds that are appropriate for that particular type of terrain.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the selecting step comprises one of:

receiving a user input corresponding to the selected set-speed; and

automatically selecting the desired set-speed based on one or more conditions relating to the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising determining whether the selected set-speed is appropriate based on one or more criteria relating to the vehicle, and causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed only when the selected set-speed is appropriate.

12. A vehicle comprising a system for controlling the speed of a vehicle, comprising:

a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds therein,

including a group of predefined and discrete set-speeds for each of a plurality of different types of terrain, each group representing a subset of the plurality of predefined set-speeds:

and

an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit configured to:

evaluate one or more conditions relating to the type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling to select one of the predefined set-speed groups in view of the evaluated condition(s);

select a desired set-speed only from the selected group of predefined and discrete set-speeds stored in the memory device; and

cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed.

13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a user interface device configured to allow a user to select a desired set-speed from the plurality of predefined set-speeds stored in the memory device, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to select the desired set-speed in response to a user input received from the user interface device.

14. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a display device, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the display device to display the plurality of predefined set-speeds thereon.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to automatically select the desired set-speed based on one or more conditions relating to the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein when it is determined that the selected set-speed is not appropriate, the electronic control unit is further configured to:

identify an appropriate set-speed from the plurality of set-speeds that is closest to the selected set-speed; and

operate the vehicle in accordance with the identified set speed.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to:

determine the particular type of terrain over which the vehicle is traveling;

identify which of the plurality of predefined set-speeds are appropriate for that particular type of terrain; and

select the desired set-speed only from those of the plurality of predefined set speeds that are appropriate for that particular type of terrain.

18. A vehicle comprising the system recited in claim 12 .