Patent ID: 8160760

Claim:
An apparatus for generating autonomic control mode commands to an autonomic control system in a vehicle to execute an autonomic vehicle maneuver in response to an operator command, comprising: a control module signally connected to said autonomic control system and an input device, the input device manipulated by an operator to transition among operator command positions and configured to generate signal outputs monitored by said control module indicating said operator command positions including a neutral position, a detent position and an extended detent position; wherein said input device further comprises: a reset state corresponding to said neutral position and monitored by said control module, wherein said control module commands the autonomic control system to deactivate said autonomic control mode; an initiation state corresponding to said extended detent position and monitored by said control module, wherein said control module commands the autonomic control system to enable said autonomic control mode; and a command state corresponding to said detent position and monitored by said control module, wherein said control module commands the autonomic control system to activate said autonomic control mode when said input device is operatively manipulated from said extended detent position and further does not command the autonomic control system to activate said autonomic control mode when said input device is operatively manipulated from said neutral position.