Terminal device, remote control system, and remote control method

Abstract

In a terminal device for performing remote control on a driving operation of a vehicle, the terminal device includes a first processor configured to supplement a supplementary target function. The vehicle is configured to move by remote control in a plant in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle. A functional unit that implements a plurality of functions required for remote control is mounted on a vehicle in any one of a plurality of manufacturing steps. The supplementary target function is identified by using at least one of step information indicating a manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available, and is not achievable by the functional unit that has been installed on the vehicle among the plurality of functions required for the remote control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal device, a remote control system, and a remote control method. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle that moves automatically by remote control is known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2017-538619 (JP 2017-538619 A)). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Functional units that implement the functions required for remote control, such as vehicle controllers and communication units, may not be installed on the vehicles being manufactured. In this case, the functions required for remote control may not be implemented.

[0004] The present disclosure can be implemented as follows.

[0005] (1) A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a terminal device. The terminal device is used to perform remote control on a driving operation of a vehicle. The vehicle is configured to move by remote control in a factory in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle. Functional units that implement a plurality of functions required for remote control are installed on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps. The terminal device includes a first processor configured to supplement a supplementary target function. The supplementary target function is identified by using at least one of step information indicating the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available. The supplementary target function is not implementable by a functional unit already installed on the vehicle among the plurality of functions required for remote control. According to this configuration, the terminal device that supplements the supplementary target function is installed on a vehicle under manufacture on which at least one or some of the plurality of functional units that implement the functions required for remote control are not yet installed, with the result that the vehicle is allowed to move by remote control. Therefore, even a vehicle under manufacture on which at least one or some of the plurality of functional units are not yet installed is allowed to move by remote control.

[0006] (2) In the first aspect, the first processor may be configured to acquire step information and identify a supplementary target function associated with a manufacturing step other than the manufacturing step identified by the acquired step information by using the acquired step information and a step database indicating a supplementary target function required for each of a plurality of manufacturing steps to identify a supplementary target function according to the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle. According to this configuration, the terminal device is able to identify the supplementary target function by using the step information and the step database.

[0007] (3) In the first aspect, the first processor may be configured to: acquire communication availability information, and identify the supplementary target function by using the acquired communication availability information. According to this configuration, the terminal device can identify the supplementary target function by using the communication availability information.

[0008] (4) The second aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote control system. The remote control system performs remote control on the driving operation of a vehicle. The remote control system includes: a vehicle, an external device installed in a location different from the location where the vehicle is located, and a terminal device according to the first aspect. A functional unit that implements multiple functions required for remote control is installed on the vehicle in any one of multiple manufacturing steps. The external device includes a second processor. The second processor is configured to obtain step information indicating a manufacturing step performed on the vehicle; identify a supplementary target function associated with a manufacturing step other than the manufacturing step identified by the obtained step information by using the obtained step information and a step database indicating a supplementary target function required for each of the multiple manufacturing steps to generate function information indicating a supplementary target function according to the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle; and send the function information to the vehicle. According to this configuration, the external device is able to identify the supplementary target function by using the step information and the step database. The external device is able to generate function information indicating the identified supplementary target function and send the supplementary target function to the terminal device. According to this configuration, the first processor of the terminal device is able to supplement the supplementary target function based on the function information.

[0009] (5) A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote control method. The remote control method performs remote control on a driving operation of a vehicle. A vehicle is configured to move by remote control in a factory in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle. Functional units that implement a plurality of functions required for remote control are installed on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps. The remote control method includes: acquiring at least one of step information indicating the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available; identifying a supplementary target function, wherein the supplementary target function is identified by using the acquired information and is not implementable by the functional unit installed on the vehicle among the plurality of functions required for remote control; and installing one or more terminal devices having the identified supplementary target function on the vehicle from among a plurality of terminal devices each having one or more supplementary target functions. According to this configuration, one or more terminal devices having the identified supplementary target function can be installed on the vehicle from among a plurality of terminal devices each having one or more supplementary target functions. Therefore, even a vehicle under manufacture on which at least one or some of the plurality of functional units that implement the functions required for remote control have not yet been installed is allowed to move by remote control.

[0010] (6) In the third aspect, the remote control method may further include: determining whether the terminal device is to be installed on the vehicle. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the terminal device is to be installed.

[0011] (7) In the third aspect, the remote control method may further include: removing the terminal device installed on the vehicle from the vehicle. According to this configuration, an unnecessary terminal device can be removed from the vehicle.

[0012] (8) In the third aspect, the vehicle may be any of the following: a first type vehicle in the form of a platform including at least wheels, a chassis, a drive unit configured to accelerate the vehicle, a steering device configured to change the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a brake device configured to decelerate the vehicle; and a second type vehicle in the form of at least a vehicle body assembled to the first type vehicle. According to this configuration, the first type vehicle and the second type vehicle can be moved by remote control.

[0013] (9) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a remote control method. The remote control method performs remote control on a driving operation of a vehicle. A vehicle is configured to move by remote control in a factory in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle. Functional units that implement a plurality of functions required for remote control are installed on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps. The remote control method includes: installing a terminal device having a supplementary target function on the vehicle. The supplementary target function is identified by using at least one of step information indicating the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available. The supplementary target function is a function that cannot be implemented by a functional unit already installed on the vehicle among the plurality of functions required for remote control. According to this configuration, one or more terminal devices having the supplementary target function can be installed on the vehicle from among a plurality of terminal devices each having one or more supplementary target functions. Therefore, even a vehicle under manufacture on which at least one or some of the plurality of functional units that implement the functions required for remote control have not yet been installed is allowed to move by remote control.

[0014] The present disclosure can be implemented in various modes other than the above-mentioned terminal device, remote control system, and remote control method. The present disclosure can be implemented, for example, through a manufacturing method for a terminal device and a remote control system, a control method for a terminal device and a remote control system, and a non-transitory recording medium having a computer program for implementing the control method recorded thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals represent like elements, and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of a vehicle; Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment; Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller according to a first embodiment; Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to a first embodiment; Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a first embodiment; Figure 7 is a flowchart showing details of an acquisition step according to the first embodiment; Figure 8 is a flowchart showing details of the identification step according to the first embodiment; Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a second embodiment; Figure 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller according to a second embodiment; Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to a second embodiment; Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a second embodiment; Figure 13 is a flowchart showing details of an acquisition step according to a second embodiment; Figure 14 is a flowchart showing details of an identification step according to a second embodiment; Figure 15 is a flowchart showing details of a software changing procedure according to the second embodiment; Figure 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller according to a third embodiment; Figure 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to a third embodiment; Figure 18 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a third embodiment; Figure 19 is a flowchart showing details of an acquisition step according to a third embodiment; Figure 20 is a flowchart showing details of an identification step according to a third embodiment; Figure 21 is a diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote controller according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 24 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a fourth embodiment; and Figure 25 is a flowchart showing details of an acquisition step according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. First embodiment

[0016] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a remote control system 1 according to a first embodiment. The remote control system 1 performs remote control of the driving operation of a vehicle 10. The remote control system 1 includes one or more vehicles 10, a remote controller 5 serving as an external device installed in a location different from where the vehicles 10 are located, and a terminal device 7 for performing remote control of the driving operation of the vehicles 10. In this embodiment, the remote control system 1 also includes a plurality of cameras 9 as sensors that detect the vehicles 10 from outside the vehicles 10 to calculate the position and orientation of the vehicles 10.

[0017] The vehicle 10 is any one of a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, a gasoline vehicle, and a diesel vehicle. The vehicle 10 may be a private vehicle such as a passenger car, or a commercial vehicle such as a truck, a bus, or a construction vehicle.

[0018] The vehicle 10 is configured to move in a remote autonomous driving mode in a factory in which multiple manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle 10. In the remote autonomous driving mode, a remote controller 5, such as a server, creates a control value (driving control value) that defines the driving operation of the vehicle 10 and sends the driving control value to the vehicle 10. Thus, the vehicle 10 receives the driving control value and performs autonomous driving based on the received driving control value. The factory is not limited to being located in one building, or being located at one site or address, but may also be located at multiple buildings, multiple sites, or multiple addresses. In this case, the vehicle 10 can move not only on private roads but also on public roads. The factory may include a storage location, such as a yard. The storage location is where the vehicle 10, which is a finished product manufactured by performing multiple manufacturing steps, is stored before shipment.

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of the vehicle 10. Figure 2, some of the multiple manufacturing steps performed in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10 are representatively shown. Figure 2 In the example shown in , the vehicle 10 serving as a finished product is manufactured by assembling a body 160 such as a vehicle body shell, internal components such as seats, external components such as door panels, etc., in the form of a platform onto a first type vehicle 101. At this time, a functional unit 170 that realizes multiple functions required for remote control is installed on the vehicle 10 in any one of a plurality of manufacturing steps. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, "installation" refers to a state in which the function of attaching the device to the vehicle 10 is realized. In other words, "installation" refers to a state in which the device is attached to the vehicle 10 and electrically connected to the vehicle 10. Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 in which at least the body 160 is assembled to the form of the first type vehicle 101 is referred to as a second type vehicle 102.

[0020] The platform manufacturing step is a manufacturing step for manufacturing the first type of vehicle 101. The first type of vehicle 101 is a vehicle 10 that can realize at least three functions, namely "moving", "turning" and "stopping" through remote control of the remote controller 5 when the terminal device 7 is installed on the first type of vehicle 101 as needed. Specifically, the first type of vehicle 101, for example, includes at least a drive unit 110, a steering device 120, a braking device 130, a chassis 140 and wheels 150. The drive unit 110 accelerates the vehicle 10. The drive unit 110 includes at least a driving force source and a power supply device for supplying power to the driving force source. When the vehicle 10 is a pure electric vehicle (battery electric vehicle), the driving force source is a driving motor, and the power supply device is a main battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The steering device 120 changes the driving direction of the vehicle 10. The braking device 130 decelerates the vehicle 10. The chassis 140 is a chassis component that supports the various devices 110, 120, 130, and 170 to be installed on the vehicle 10, as well as the vehicle body 160 and the like to be assembled in subsequent manufacturing steps after the platform manufacturing step. Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the platform manufacturing step, the terminal device 7 is detachably mounted on the first type vehicle 101. The work of mounting the terminal device 7 on the first type vehicle 101 can be performed by a worker or a robot.

[0021] The body assembly step is a manufacturing step of manufacturing the second type vehicle 102, which is the vehicle 10 after assembling the body 160 to the first type vehicle 101 and includes the finished product. The body assembly step is performed after the platform manufacturing step.

[0022] The functional unit attaching step is a step of attaching the functional unit 170 to the vehicle 10. Figure 2In the example shown in FIG, the functional unit attachment step is performed after the vehicle body assembly step. Each functional unit 170 is, for example, any one of the vehicle controller 171, the vehicle communication unit 172, and the sub-battery 173. The vehicle controller 171 controls the operation of the vehicle 10. The vehicle controller 171 includes multiple ECUs. Specifically, the vehicle controller 171 includes an integrated ECU and multiple individual ECUs. The integrated ECU relays communications with each individual ECU. The integrated ECU is connected to the vehicle communication unit 172 and each individual ECU to enable communication. The integrated ECU is a so-called gateway ECU. The individual ECUs each control the operation of various devices installed in the vehicle 10. Examples of individual ECUs include the DCM-ECU that controls the vehicle communication unit 172, the brake ECU that controls braking, the engine ECU that controls the engine, the MG-ECU that controls the drive motor, and the HV-ECU that coordinates and manages the engine and MG-ECUs. The vehicle communication unit 172 communicates with external devices using wireless communication or the like. External devices are devices other than the vehicle 10 and other vehicles 10. Devices other than the vehicle 10 include the remote controller 5, etc. The vehicle communication unit 172 is, for example, a wireless communication device such as a data communication module (DCM). The vehicle communication unit 172 communicates with the remote controller 5 connected to the network Nt via an access point in the factory, for example. The sub-battery 173 supplies power to the vehicle controller 171 and the vehicle communication unit 172 to operate them. The configuration of the functional unit 170 is not limited to that described above. For example, at least one or some of the functions of the vehicle controller 171 may be implemented as a function of the vehicle communication unit 172.

[0023] The electrical connection step is a step of establishing a state in which the function of the functional unit 170 is realized by electrically connecting the functional unit 170 attached to the vehicle 10. The electrical connection step is performed after the functional unit attaching step. When the functional unit 170 is electrically connected after being attached to the vehicle 10, the function required for remote control is realized. The manufacturing method for the vehicle 10 is not limited to the above. The functional unit attaching step may be performed during the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10. Figure 2 The electrical connection step only needs to be performed after the functional unit attachment step, which can be performed at different times in the functional unit attachment step. Figure 2 Executed at different other times in the.

[0024] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle 10 is at least one of a vehicle 10 as a finished product and a vehicle 10 as a semi-finished product or a product in process in each manufacturing step of manufacturing the finished product. Hereinafter, when a plurality of vehicles 101 and 102 of different forms do not need to be distinguished from each other, the vehicles 101 and 102 are simply referred to as "vehicles 10."

[0025] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image pickup device 9 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the camera 9 is a camera that acquires captured data by capturing an image of a capturing range RG including the vehicle 10 from outside the vehicle 10. The captured data is, for example, a color image including the vehicle 10. In order to capture an image of the entire route 2 using one or more camera devices 9, the installation position of each camera device 9 and the number of camera devices 9 are determined in consideration of the capturing range RG (angle of view) of each camera device 9.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the imaging device 9 includes an imaging unit 90, a communication unit 91, a storage unit 93, and a CPU 92. The imaging unit 90, the communication unit 91, the storage unit 93, and the CPU 92 are interconnected, for example, via an internal bus and interface circuits. The imaging unit 90 captures an image of the imaging range RG of the vehicle 10 from outside the vehicle 10. The communication unit 91 of the imaging device 9 connects the imaging device 9 to other devices other than the imaging device 9 in a manner that enables communication. The communication unit 91 of the imaging device 9 is, for example, a wireless communication device. The storage unit 93 of the imaging device 9 stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the imaging device 9. The storage unit 93 of the imaging device 9 includes, for example, RAM, ROM, and a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU 92 of the imaging device 9 operates as an imaging control unit 921, a data acquisition unit 922, and a data transmission unit 924 by expanding the various programs stored in the storage unit 93. The imaging control unit 921 controls the operation of the imaging unit 90. The data acquisition unit 922 acquires various information. In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 922 acquires captured data from the camera 9. The data transmission unit 924 transmits various data. In this embodiment, the camera 9 transmits the captured data to the remote controller 5. The configuration of the camera 9 is not limited to the above. At least one or some of the functions of the camera 9 can be implemented as a function of an external device such as the remote controller 5 or in the vehicle 10.

[0027] Figure 41 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the remote controller 5 according to the first embodiment. The remote controller 5 remotely controls the driving operation of the vehicle 10 by transmitting driving control values ​​created using driving information to the vehicle 10. Driving information is information regarding the driving conditions of the vehicle 10. Driving information includes, for example, captured data of the vehicle 10, as well as the vehicle 10's position, orientation, driving speed, actual steering angle, and driving route information. The driving route information indicates the target driving route of the vehicle 10 moving in the remote automated driving mode.

[0028] The remote controller 5 includes a communication unit 51, a CPU 52, and a storage unit 53. The communication unit 51, the storage unit 53, and the CPU 52 are connected to each other via, for example, an internal bus and an interface circuit.

[0029] The communication unit 51 of the remote controller 5 connects the remote controller 5 with other devices other than the remote controller 5 in a manner enabling communication. The communication unit 51 of the remote controller 5 is, for example, a wireless communication device.

[0030] The storage unit 53 of the remote controller 5 stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the remote controller 5 and production management information In. The production management information In is information indicating the planned time for the vehicle 10 to move around the work site where each manufacturing step is performed. The production management information In is created based on, for example, the position and orientation of the vehicle 10, the history of driving control values ​​transmitted to the vehicle 10, and the installation position of the camera 9. The storage unit 53 of the remote controller 5 includes, for example, RAM, ROM, and a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0031] The CPU 52 of the remote controller 5 functions as a device acquisition unit 521 , a calculation unit 522 , a step identification unit 523 , a control value creation unit 525 , and a device transmission unit 526 by expanding various programs stored in the storage unit 53 .

[0032] The device acquisition unit 521 acquires various information. In this embodiment, the device acquisition unit 521 acquires captured data from the camera 9. The device acquisition unit 521 acquires the driving speed, actual steering angle, and the like from the vehicle 10.

[0033] The calculation unit 522 calculates the position and orientation of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 522 calculates the position and orientation of the vehicle 10 by analyzing the photographing data.

[0034] The step identification unit 523 identifies a manufacturing step that has already been performed on the vehicle 10 among the manufacturing steps to be performed in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10. Then, the step identification unit 523 generates step information indicating the manufacturing step that has been performed on the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the step identification unit 523 identifies the manufacturing step that has already been performed on the vehicle 10 by using the production management information In, and generates step information indicating the identified manufacturing step.

[0035] The control value creation unit 525 creates driving control values ​​using the driving information. These driving control values ​​include, for example, an acceleration control value defining the acceleration of the vehicle 10 in the forward driving direction and a steering angle control value defining the steering angle of the vehicle 10. Instead of including the acceleration control value and the steering angle control value, the driving control values ​​may also include either a trajectory control value or a destination control value. The trajectory control value defines the driving path of the vehicle 10 by chronologically arranging the target movement positions of the vehicle 10 set at predetermined time intervals. The destination control value indicates the target arrival time at the target arrival location of the vehicle 10.

[0036] Device transmission unit 526 transmits various information to devices other than remote controller 5. In this embodiment, device transmission unit 526 transmits driving control values ​​and step information. The configuration of remote controller 5 is not limited to the above. At least one or some of the functions of remote controller 5 may be implemented as a function of a device other than remote controller 5.

[0037] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 7 according to the first embodiment. The terminal device 7 is used to enable the vehicle 10 under manufacturing to move in a remote automatic driving mode. The terminal device 7 supplements the supplementary target function. The supplementary target function is a function that cannot be implemented by the functional unit 170 that has been installed on the vehicle 10 in the manufacturing step, among the multiple functions required for remote control. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 7 is configured to implement all functions that can serve as supplementary target functions in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10. Here, the functional unit 170 is installed on the vehicle 10 in any one of the multiple manufacturing steps. Therefore, the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle 10 and the supplementary target function are associated with each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the supplementary target function is identified by using step information.

[0038] The terminal device 7 includes a communication unit 71, a storage unit 73, a secondary battery 75, and a CPU 72. The communication unit 71, the storage unit 73, the secondary battery 75, and the CPU 72 are connected to each other via, for example, an internal bus and an interface circuit.

[0039] In a state where the terminal device 7 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the communication unit 71 of the terminal device 7 connects the device mounted on the vehicle 10 with an external device such as the remote controller 5 in a manner that enables communication. In other words, when the vehicle communication unit 172 ( Figure 2 ) has not yet been mounted on the vehicle 10, the communication unit 71 of the terminal device 7 serves as a function equivalent to the vehicle communication unit 172, instead of the vehicle communication unit 172. The communication unit 71 of the terminal device 7 is, for example, a wireless communication device.

[0040] Figure 5 The storage unit 73 of the terminal device 7 shown in FIG stores various information including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7 and a step database Db. The step database Db is a database indicating the supplementary target functions required for each of a plurality of manufacturing steps. The storage unit 73 of the terminal device 7 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0041] The auxiliary battery 75 supplies power to drive the terminal device 7. In addition, when the sub-battery 173 ( Figure 2 ) is not mounted on the vehicle 10, the auxiliary battery 75 replaces the sub-battery 173 to supply power to the vehicle controller 171, the vehicle communication unit 172, etc. that have been mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0042] Figure 5 The CPU 92 of the terminal device 7 shown in FIG. 1 operates as a terminal acquisition unit 721 , a function identification unit 722 , and a supplementation unit 723 by expanding various programs stored in the storage unit 73 .

[0043] The terminal acquisition unit 721 acquires various information. In this embodiment, the terminal acquisition unit 721 acquires step information from the remote controller 5. When at least one of the vehicle controller 171 and the vehicle communication unit 172 is not yet installed on the vehicle 10, the terminal acquisition unit 721 acquires the driving control value.

[0044] Function identification unit 722 identifies supplementary target functions. In other words, function identification unit 722 identifies functions that have not yet been installed on vehicle 10. In this embodiment, function identification unit 722 uses the acquired step information and the step database Db stored in storage unit 73 of terminal device 7 to identify supplementary target functions associated with manufacturing steps other than the manufacturing step identified by the acquired step information. In other words, function identification unit 722 extracts supplementary target functions associated with manufacturing steps currently being executed and manufacturing steps that have not yet been executed from the multiple manufacturing steps executed in the manufacturing process of vehicle 10 from step database Db. Thus, function identification unit 722 identifies supplementary target functions based on the manufacturing steps executed on vehicle 10.

[0045] The supplementing unit 723 supplements the supplementary target function. In the present embodiment, the supplementing unit 723 changes the software so that only the identified supplementary target function is executed among the multiple functions required for remote control. Therefore, when the terminal device 7 is installed on the vehicle 10, the supplementing unit 723 allows the terminal device 7 to supplement the supplementary target function. Specifically, when the vehicle controller 171 has not yet been installed on the vehicle 10, the supplementing unit 723 changes the software so that the function equivalent to the vehicle controller 171 is implemented instead of the vehicle controller 171. When the function has not yet been implemented, for example, because one or more ECUs among the multiple ECUs constituting the vehicle controller 171 have not yet been electrically connected, the supplementing unit 723 performs the following processing. In other words, the supplementing unit 723 changes the software so that the function equivalent to the ECU that has not yet implemented the function (hereinafter referred to as the unconnected ECU) is implemented instead of the unconnected ECU. When the vehicle communication unit 172 has not yet been installed on the vehicle 10, the supplementing unit 723 changes the software so that the vehicle 10 can communicate with an external device such as the remote controller 5 by using the communication unit 71 of the terminal device 7. Furthermore, when the sub-battery 173 is not yet mounted on the vehicle 10, the supplementation unit 723 changes the software so that the vehicle controller 171 and the vehicle communication unit 172 already mounted on the vehicle 10 can be driven by using the auxiliary battery 75 instead of the sub-battery 173. The configuration of the terminal device 7 is not limited to the above. At least one or some of the functions of the terminal device 7 may be implemented as a function of a device other than the terminal device 7.

[0046] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, an acquisition step (step S11), an identification step (step S21), and a software change step (step S31) are sequentially performed. Thus, by using a terminal device 7 in which the software is changed to supplement the supplementary target function identified in accordance with the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10, the supplementary target function is supplemented so that the vehicle 10 under manufacturing moves in a remote automatic driving mode. The remote control method is, for example, performed after the vehicle 10 as the target has completed the Figure 2 The platform manufacturing steps shown in are repeated at predetermined time intervals or thereafter. The same applies to the remote control method according to the embodiments described later.

[0047] Figure 7is a flowchart showing the details of the acquisition step (step S11) according to the first embodiment. In step S111, the device acquisition unit 521 of the remote controller 5 acquires the production management information In. In the present embodiment, the device acquisition unit 521 acquires the production management information In pre-stored in the storage unit 53 of the remote controller 5. In other embodiments, the device acquisition unit 521 may acquire the production management information In from other devices other than the remote controller 5. In step S112, the step identification unit 523 identifies the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10 by using the production management information In. In step S113, the step identification unit 523 generates step information indicating the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10. In step S114, the device sending unit 526 sends the step information to the terminal device 7. In step S115, the terminal acquisition unit 721 of the terminal device 7 acquires the step information.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG, after the acquisition step in step S11, the recognition step in step S21 is performed. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of the identification step (step S21) according to the first embodiment. In step S221, the terminal acquisition unit 721 of the terminal device 7 acquires the step database Db. In this embodiment, the terminal acquisition unit 721 acquires the step database Db pre-stored in the storage unit 73 of the terminal device 7. In other embodiments, the terminal acquisition unit 721 may acquire the step database Db from a device other than the terminal device 7. In step S212, the function identification unit 722 identifies the supplementary target function by using the step information and the step database Db.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown in , after the identification step of step S21, the software change step of step S31 is executed. In the software change step, the supplementation unit 723 changes the software so that the supplement target function identified by the function identification unit 722 is supplemented. Then, when the vehicle communication unit 172 is already installed on the vehicle 10, the remote controller 5 starts communicating with the vehicle communication unit 172 after the software change step is completed, and causes the vehicle 10 to move in the remote automatic driving mode. When the vehicle communication unit 172 is not yet installed on the vehicle 10, the remote controller 5 starts communicating with the communication unit 71 of the terminal device 7 after the software change step is completed, and causes the vehicle 10 to move in the remote automatic driving mode.

[0050] When the supplementary target function is not recognized in the recognition step as in the case where the vehicle 10 serves as a finished product, the remote controller 5 moves the vehicle 10 in the remote automatic driving mode by the function of the functional unit 170 mounted on the vehicle 10 without using the terminal device 7. In other words, in this case, Figure 6 In the remote control method shown in , the software change step is omitted.

[0051] According to the first embodiment, when the terminal device 7 that supplements the supplementary target function is installed on a vehicle 10 that is being manufactured and to which at least one or some of the functional units 170 that realize the functions required for remote control have not yet been installed, it is possible to move the vehicle 10 by remote control. Therefore, even if it is a vehicle 10 that is being manufactured and to which at least one or some of the functional units 170 that realize the functions required for remote control (such as the vehicle controller 171, the vehicle communication unit 172, and the sub-battery 173) have not yet been installed, as in the case of the first type vehicle 101, it is possible to move it by remote control.

[0052] According to the first embodiment, it is possible to identify the manufacturing steps performed on the vehicle 10 by using the production management information In. Then, step information indicating the manufacturing steps performed on the vehicle 10 can be generated.

[0053] According to the first embodiment, the functional unit 170 is mounted on the vehicle 10 in any one of a plurality of manufacturing steps. Therefore, based on the correlation between each manufacturing step to be performed in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10 and the supplementary target function, the supplementary target function can be identified by using step information indicating the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle 10.

[0054] According to the first embodiment, step information can be acquired. Then, by using the step information and the step database Db, it is possible to identify supplementary target functions associated with manufacturing steps other than the manufacturing steps identified by the acquired step information. Thus, supplementary target functions can be identified based on the manufacturing steps performed on the vehicle 10.

[0055] According to the first embodiment, a supplementary target function can be identified using the terminal device 7 by acquiring step information from the remote controller 5 serving as an external device.

[0056] According to the first embodiment, the function to be supplemented by the terminal device 7 can be changed by changing the software. As a result, when one terminal device 7 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the supplement target function can be supplemented without disassembling the terminal device 7 in multiple manufacturing steps. B. Second embodiment

[0057] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image pickup device 9a according to the second embodiment. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote controller 5a according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 7a according to a second embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a portion of the remote control method. Therefore, some of the components of the camera 9a, remote controller 5a, and terminal device 7a differ from those in the first embodiment. Steps identical to those in the first embodiment and components identical to those in the first embodiment are assigned like reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0058] like Figure 9 As shown in , the storage unit 93a of the camera 9a stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the camera 9a. The CPU 92a of the camera 9a also includes a step identification unit 923. The step identification unit 923 identifies a manufacturing step that has already been performed on the vehicle 10 by analyzing the captured data. The step identification unit 923 identifies one manufacturing step that is being performed on the vehicle 10, for example, by detecting feature points included in the captured data (by which multiple manufacturing steps can be identified). Then, the step identification unit 923 determines, as a manufacturing step that has already been performed on the vehicle 10, a manufacturing step that is identified as preceding the one manufacturing step that is being performed on the vehicle 10 among multiple manufacturing steps to be performed in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10. Then, the step identification unit 923 generates step information indicating the manufacturing step that has already been performed on the vehicle 10.

[0059] like Figure 10 As shown in FIG, the storage unit 53a of the remote controller 5a stores the step database Db instead of the production management information In. The CPU 52a of the remote controller 5a includes a device acquisition unit 521a instead of the device acquisition unit 521 according to the first embodiment. The device acquisition unit 521a acquires step information. Furthermore, the CPU 52a of the remote controller 5a includes a generation unit 524 instead of the step identification unit 523 according to the first embodiment. The generation unit 524 generates function information by using the step information and the step database Db. The function information is information indicating a supplementary target function based on the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10.

[0060] like Figure 11 As shown in FIG, the storage unit 73a of the terminal device 7a stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7a. The CPU 72a of the terminal device 7a does not include a function identification unit 722, but includes a terminal acquisition unit 721a and a supplement unit 723. The terminal acquisition unit 721a acquires function information from an external device. In this embodiment, the terminal acquisition unit 721a acquires function information from the remote controller 5a serving as an external device.

[0061] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to the second embodiment. Figure 13 1 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the acquisition step (step S12) according to the second embodiment. In step S121, the data acquisition unit 922 of the camera 9a acquires captured data. In step S122, the step identification unit 923 uses the captured data to identify the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10. In step S123, the step identification unit 923 generates step information. In step S124, the data transmission unit 924 transmits the step information to the remote controller 5a. In step S125, the device acquisition unit 521a of the remote controller 5a acquires the step information.

[0062] like Figure 12 As shown in FIG, after the acquisition step in step S12, the recognition step in step S22 is performed. Figure 14 2 is a flowchart showing the details of the identification step (step S22) according to the second embodiment. In step S221, the device acquisition unit 521a of the remote controller 5a acquires the step database Db. In step S222, the generation unit 524 identifies the supplementary target function by using the step information and the step database Db.

[0063] like Figure 12 As shown in FIG, after the identification step at step S22, the software changing step at step S32 is performed. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating details of the software modification step (step S32) according to the second embodiment. In step S321, the generation unit 524 of the remote controller 5a generates function information. In step S322, the device transmission unit 526 transmits the function information to the terminal device 7a. In step S323, the terminal acquisition unit 721 of the terminal device 7a acquires the function information from the remote controller 5a. In step S324, the supplementation unit 723 modifies the software according to the supplementation target function identified by the function information.

[0064] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to identify the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10 and generate step information by analyzing the photographed data.

[0065] According to the second embodiment, a supplementary target function can be identified using the remote controller 5 a serving as an external device by acquiring step information from the camera 9 a .

[0066] According to the second embodiment, the supplementation unit 723 of the terminal device 7a can identify the supplementation target function by acquiring the function information from the remote controller 5a. Therefore, the supplementation unit 723 can supplement the supplementation target function identified by the function information. C. Third embodiment

[0067] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote controller 5b according to the third embodiment. Figure 17 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 7b according to a third embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a portion of the remote control method. Therefore, some of the components of the remote controller 5b and the terminal device 7b differ from those in the first embodiment. The configuration of the imaging device 9 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Steps identical to those in the first embodiment and components identical to those in the first embodiment are assigned like reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] like Figure 16 As shown in FIG, the storage unit 53b of the remote controller 5b stores various information including various programs for controlling the operation of the remote controller 5b. The CPU 52b of the remote controller 5b does not include a step identification unit 523 or a generation unit 524, but includes a device acquisition unit 521, a calculation unit 522, a control value creation unit 525, and a device transmission unit 526.

[0069] like Figure 17 As shown in , the storage unit 73b of the terminal device 7b stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7b. The CPU 72b of the terminal device 7b includes a terminal acquisition unit 721b instead of the terminal acquisition unit 721 according to the first embodiment. The terminal acquisition unit 721b acquires communication availability information. The communication availability information is information indicating whether communication with the functional unit 170 is available. The communication availability information includes, for example, Controller Area Network (CAN) data indicating whether signals can be sent and received between the terminal device 7b and each ECU included in the vehicle controller 171 via CAN communication. The CPU 72b of the terminal device 7b includes a function identification unit 722b instead of the function identification unit 722 according to the first embodiment. The function identification unit 722b identifies a supplementary target function by using the acquired communication availability information. For example, the function identification unit 722b identifies the function of the functional unit 170 that cannot communicate as a supplementary target function in the communication availability information.

[0070] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating a remote control method according to a third embodiment. Figure 19 : is a flowchart showing the details of the acquisition step (step S13) according to the third embodiment. In step S131, the terminal acquisition unit 721b of the terminal device 7b acquires communication availability information.

[0071] like Figure 18 As shown in FIG, after the acquisition step in step S13, the recognition step in step S23 is performed. Figure 20 : is a flowchart showing the details of the identification step (step S23) according to the third embodiment. In step S231, the function identification unit 722b of the terminal device 7b identifies the supplementary target function by using the acquired communication availability information.

[0072] According to the third embodiment, communication availability information can be acquired. Then, the supplement target function can be identified by using the communication availability information. In other words, the supplement target function can be identified by using the communication with the function unit 170.

[0073] According to the third embodiment, a supplementary target function can be identified by acquiring information for identifying the supplementary target function in the terminal device 7 b without using an external device. D. Fourth embodiment

[0074] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote control system 1c according to a fourth embodiment. In each of the first to third embodiments, the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10 are mechanically identified by using either the production management information In or the photographic data. In contrast, in this embodiment, the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10 are identified by workers involved in the work in each manufacturing step. Accordingly, the remote control system 1c according to this embodiment also includes an input device 8. The input device 8 is a device that allows workers to input step information. In each of the first to third embodiments, the terminal device 7, the terminal device 7a, or the terminal device 7b supplements the supplementary target function by changing the software in accordance with the supplementary target function. In contrast, in this embodiment, the remote control system 1c includes a plurality of terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e, each having a predetermined function, rather than including the terminal device 7 according to the first embodiment, the terminal device 7a according to the second embodiment, or the terminal device 7b according to the third embodiment. Therefore, from among the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e each having one or more predetermined functions, one or some or all of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e having the supplementary target function according to the manufacturing steps that have been performed on the vehicle 10 are selected and installed on the vehicle 10. In other words, instead of changing the software according to the supplementary target function, one or some or all of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e according to the step information are selected from among the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e prepared in advance and installed on the vehicle 10. The same steps as those in each of the first to third embodiments and the same components as those in each of the first to third embodiments are assigned like reference symbols, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0075] Figure 22 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a remote controller 5c according to a fourth embodiment. The storage unit 53c of the remote controller 5c stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the remote controller 5c and a step database Db. The remote controller 5c also includes a notification unit 55. The notification unit 55 notifies the person performing the installation step of selection information indicating one, some, or all of the pre-prepared terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e to be installed on the vehicle 10. The installation step involves installing one or more terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e, each having one or more predetermined functions, that have the supplementary target functions identified in the identification step, on the vehicle 10. The installation step can be performed manually by a worker or automatically by a robot. When the person performing the installation step is a worker, the notification unit 55 is, for example, a display device (such as a monitor) that displays the selection information or a speaker that reproduces a voice indicating the selection information. When the person performing the installation step is a robot, the notification unit 55 is, for example, a transmission device that transmits the selection information to the robot. The CPU 52c of the remote controller 5c also includes an information control unit 527 for controlling the operation of the notification unit 55. Any of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e and the vehicle 10 may include the notification unit 55 and the information control unit 527. When the vehicle 10 includes the notification unit 55, for example, an existing device mounted on the vehicle 10, such as a hazard light or a horn, may be used as the notification unit 55.

[0076] Figure 23 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e according to the fourth embodiment. The storage unit 73c of the terminal device 7c stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7c. The storage unit 73d of the terminal device 7d stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7d. The storage unit 73e of the terminal device 7e stores various information, including various programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 7e. The CPU 72c of the terminal device 7c does not include the supplement unit 723, but includes a terminal acquisition unit 721c. The CPU 72d of the terminal device 7d does not include the supplement unit 723, but includes a terminal acquisition unit 721d. The CPU 72e of the terminal device 7e does not include the supplement unit 723, but includes a terminal acquisition unit 721e. Each terminal acquisition unit 721c, 721d, and 721e acquires various information. Each terminal device 7c, 7d, and 7e may have a single function or multiple functions. For example, the terminal devices 7 c , 7 d , 7 e each including a supplementary target function according to a plurality of manufacturing steps to be performed in the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10 may be prepared one by one for the manufacturing step.

[0077] Figure 24 is a flowchart showing a remote control method according to a fourth embodiment. Figure 25 is a flowchart showing details of the acquisition step (step S14) according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 25 This figure shows how the remote controller 5c identifies the supplementary target function. In step S141, the input device 8 receives step information from the worker. In step S142, the input device 8 transmits the input step information to the remote controller 5c. In step S143, the device acquisition unit 521c of the remote controller 5c acquires the step information from the input device 8.

[0078] like Figure 24 As shown in FIG, after the acquisition step of step S14, the identification step of step S22 is performed. When the supplementary target function is identified by the remote controller 5c, the same as Figure 14 The identification step (step S22) shown in FIG is similar to the process. Figure 24 As shown in FIG, after the identification step of step S22, the selection step of step S34 is performed. In the selection step, the information control unit 527 notifies the person who performs the installation step of the selection information via the notification unit 55. Therefore, in the installation step of step S44, the person who performs the installation step selects one, some, or all of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e according to the supplementary target function from among the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e prepared in advance, and installs the selected one, some, or all of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e on the vehicle 10.

[0079] The terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e can identify the supplementary target function. In this case, each of the CPU 72c of the terminal device 7c, the CPU 72d of the terminal device 7d, and the CPU 72e of the terminal device 7e can further include a function identification unit 722 or a function identification unit 722b. Then, in Figure 25 In step S142 shown in FIG, the input device 8 transmits the step information to the terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e. The device acquisition unit 521c of the terminal device 7c acquires the step information from the input device 8.

[0080] According to the fourth embodiment, one or more terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e each having one or more supplementary target functions can be installed on the vehicle 10. As a result, without changing the software that controls the functions of the terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e, it is possible to add target functions and enable the vehicle 10 to move in the remote automated driving mode. This reduces the processing load on the terminal devices 7c, 7d, and 7e. E. Alternative Embodiments E-1. First Alternative Embodiment

[0081] In the case where the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is installed on the vehicle 10 in the installation step, the remote control method may further include the following steps when the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is already installed on the vehicle 10. In this case, the remote control method may include a removal step of removing the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e installed on the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10. According to such a configuration, the unnecessary terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e can be removed from the vehicle 10. E-2. Second Alternative Embodiment

[0082] The remote control method may further include a determination step of determining whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10. For example, an external device such as the remote controller 5, the remote controller 5a, the remote controller 5b, and the remote controller 5c, and any of the terminal devices 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, may include a determination unit that determines whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10. The determination unit determines whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10, for example, by using the recognition result in the recognition step. Specifically, if no supplementary target function is recognized in the recognition step, the determination unit determines not to install the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e on the vehicle 10. On the other hand, if one or more supplementary target functions are recognized in the recognition step, the determination unit determines to install the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e on the vehicle 10. According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10. The determination unit can determine whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10 by using, for example, the step information and the step database Db. According to such a configuration, in the remote control method, it is possible to determine whether the terminal device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed on the vehicle 10 without performing the identification step. E-3. Third Alternative Embodiment

[0083] The remote control method may further include a determination step and a removal step. According to such a configuration, when it is determined that the terminal device 7c, 7d, 7e is to be installed when other terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e are already installed on the vehicle 10, the unnecessary terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e can be replaced with the terminal devices 7c, 7d, 7e to be installed.

[0084] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the intent of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various aspects described in the Summary of the Invention can be replaced or combined as needed to resolve some or all of the above-described inconveniences or achieve some or all of the above-described beneficial effects. When technical features are not described as indispensable in the specification, they can be deleted as needed.

Claims

1. A terminal device for remotely controlling the driving operation of a vehicle, The vehicle is configured to move by remote control in a factory in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle, and a functional unit realizing a plurality of functions required for the remote control is mounted on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps, It is characterized in that The terminal device comprises: A first processor is configured to supplement a supplementary target function, the supplementary target function being identified by using at least one of step information indicating a manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available, the supplementary target function being a function that cannot be implemented by a functional unit installed on the vehicle among a plurality of functions required for the remote control.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first processor is configured as follows: Get the step information, and By using the acquired step information and a step database indicating the supplementary target functions required for each of the multiple manufacturing steps, supplementary target functions associated with manufacturing steps other than the manufacturing steps identified by the acquired step information are identified to identify the supplementary target functions according to the manufacturing steps performed on the vehicle.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first processor is configured as follows: obtaining the communication availability information, and The supplementary target function is identified by using the acquired communication availability information.

4. A remote control system for remotely controlling the driving operation of a vehicle, characterized in that: The remote control system comprises: the vehicle; an external device installed in a location different from a location where the vehicle is located; and The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The functional unit realizing the plurality of functions required for the remote control is installed on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps; The external device includes a second processor; and The second processor is configured as follows: obtaining step information indicating manufacturing steps performed on the vehicle, identifying a supplementary target function associated with a manufacturing step other than the manufacturing step identified by the acquired step information by using the acquired step information and a step database indicating a supplementary target function required for each of the plurality of manufacturing steps to generate function information indicating the supplementary target function according to the manufacturing step performed on the vehicle, and The function information is transmitted to the vehicle.

5. A remote control method for performing remote control on a driving operation of a vehicle, the vehicle being configured to move by remote control in a factory in which a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle, a functional unit realizing a plurality of functions required for the remote control being mounted on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps, It is characterized in that The remote control method comprises: acquiring at least one of step information indicating a manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available; identifying a supplementary target function, wherein the supplementary target function is identified by using the acquired information and is not implementable by a functional unit installed on the vehicle among the plurality of functions required for the remote control; and One or more terminal devices having the identified supplementary target functions are mounted on the vehicle from among a plurality of terminal devices each having one or more supplementary target functions.

6. The remote control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: It is determined whether the terminal device is to be installed on the vehicle.

7. The remote control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: The terminal device installed on the vehicle is removed from the vehicle.

8. The remote control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vehicle is any of the following: a first type of vehicle in the form of a platform that includes at least wheels, a chassis, a drive unit configured to accelerate the vehicle, a steering device configured to change the driving direction of the vehicle, and a braking device configured to decelerate the vehicle, and a second type of vehicle in the form of at least a body assembled to the first type of vehicle.

9. A remote control method for remotely controlling a driving operation of a vehicle, The vehicle is configured to be moved by remote control in a factory where a plurality of manufacturing steps are performed to manufacture the vehicle, The functional unit realizing the plurality of functions required for the remote control is installed on the vehicle in any one of the plurality of manufacturing steps; It is characterized in that The remote control method comprises: A terminal device having a supplementary target function is installed on the vehicle, the supplementary target function being identified by using at least one of step information indicating a manufacturing step performed on the vehicle and communication availability information indicating whether communication with the functional unit is available, the supplementary target function being a function that cannot be implemented by a functional unit installed on the vehicle among multiple functions required for the remote control.

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