Patent attributes
Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle speed control system operable to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by controlling an amount of brake torque applied by a braking system and an amount of drive torque applied by a powertrain to one or more wheels of the vehicle, the system being operable to detect a leading wheel step event in which a leading wheel encounters an abrupt increase in surface gradient, the system being operable in dependence on the detection of a leading wheel step event to cause brake torque to be applied against drive torque in anticipation of a trailing wheel step event corresponding to the leading wheel step event, the system being operable to cause the application of brake torque at least until a trailing wheel has travelled a sufficient distance to reach the location at which a leading wheel experienced the leading wheel step event.
