Method for providing driver assistance function data configured for demonstrating vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method (100) for providing data (2, 3) configured for demonstrating a driver assistance function of a vehicle (10), the driver assistance function being configured to at least partially assist a driver of the vehicle (10) in driving the vehicle (10), the method (100) comprises receiving a selection (1) of the driver assistance function based on a user input on a user interface (30) of the vehicle (10), providing first data (2) for a device (60) for virtually demonstrating the selected driver assistance function, and providing second data (3) for controlling operation of at least one component (40) of the vehicle (10), to physically assist a virtual presentation of the selected driver assistance function on the device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for providing data configured for demonstrating a driver assistance function of a vehicle, a computer program product, a data processing device and a vehicle comprising the data processing device. Background Art

[0002] Driver assistance functions in vehicles, which can partially or completely take over driving-related functions such as steering, acceleration and deceleration in the case of autonomous driving, contribute greatly to driving comfort and safety. However, there is a problem that at least some of the available driver assistance functions are rarely used. In addition, driver assistance functions can often be deactivated. However, this is harmful if this is because the driver does not realize the benefits involved in the driver assistance function or does not understand its function.

[0003] Some safety-related driver assistance features are rarely experienced, such as forward collision warning or automatic emergency braking, and therefore, the driver may not know how to respond when experiencing an event in which such a driver assistance feature is being used.

[0004] The current solution to solve the above problems is to educate the driver about the benefits and functions of the driver assistance function by providing the vehicle with a user manual. However, reading the user manual is cumbersome, and it may be difficult to transfer information from the user manual to the cockpit inside the vehicle, especially for using the driver assistance function while driving.

[0005] Furthermore, when driver assistance functions provide at least partially or fully autonomous driving, overall traffic safety may increase, but this will create new problems. One of these problems may be a deterioration in the driver's driving skills due to the widespread use of autonomous driving. It may be desirable to counteract this deterioration to avoid an increase in accidents when the vehicle is manually operated. Summary of the invention

[0006] At least one of the above problems is at least partially solved or mitigated by the subject matter of the present disclosure, wherein further examples are incorporated in the present disclosure.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for providing data configured to demonstrate a driver assistance function of a vehicle, the driver assistance function being configured to at least partially assist a driver of the vehicle in driving the vehicle, the method comprising:

[0008] receiving a selection of the driver assistance function based on a user input on a user interface of the vehicle,

[0009] providing first data for use by a device to virtually demonstrate a selected driver assistance function, and

[0010] Second data is provided for controlling operation of at least one component of the vehicle to physically assist the virtual presentation of the selected driver assistance function on the device.

[0011] Therefore, the method provides a virtual demonstration of at least one driver assistance function, wherein at least one component of the vehicle is controlled in its operation to physically assist the virtual demonstration. Thus, the demonstration can have virtual components and physical components. Physical components can be understood as real-world components, while virtual components are not in the real world, but only in the virtual demonstration. Therefore, physical components have real-world effects, especially for users and / or drivers, who can be the same person. For example, virtual components or virtual demonstrations can be configured to educate the driver of the vehicle by demonstrating the selected driver assistance function. Demonstration can be understood as providing information, especially content (especially pictures, videos and / or text) on a device, especially on its display. The information can be configured as demonstration information for demonstrating the selected driver assistance function. Such demonstration information can be configured to simulate the selected driver assistance function, or in other words, simulate the selected driver assistance function on the device. The demonstration is virtual, meaning that the demonstration does not occur in the real world, but virtually. Therefore, the demonstration can be provided only on the device, especially by the user on its display. Therefore, the virtual demonstration as demonstration information can only exist virtually on the device, not in the real world. For example, when a selected driver assistance function is virtually demonstrated, the selected driver assistance function is not actually performed by the vehicle in the real world, but can only be demonstrated on the device, for example, by simulation, and is therefore virtual rather than in the real world. In addition, the virtual demonstration may be limited to any information displayed to the user, such as the above-mentioned content. The virtual demonstration on the device may not include physical interaction with the user. Instead, the demonstration may be displayed only on the device. On the other hand, with the help of the physical assistance of the component, in addition to displaying information to the user, a physical interaction with the user or a physical effect on the user may also be provided. At least one physical component may assist the virtual demonstration by having a physical effect on the driver, so that the driver is demonstrated the driver assistance function in two dimensions (i.e., the virtual dimension and the physical dimension, or in other words, the real world dimension). Therefore, the physical component may actually occur in the real world, in particular by physically interacting with the user, that is, not by what the user sees but by physically interacting with him. The operation of at least one component may be timed according to an event or function in the virtual demonstration to simultaneously demonstrate the event or function physically and virtually. Further examples of virtual demonstrations and operations of at least one component are given below.

[0012] Thus, the method of the first aspect provides a particularly immersive and easy to understand understanding of the functionality and benefits of the driver assistance function for the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, when the virtual demonstration includes a virtual simulation of a driving situation in which the driver assistance function is being performed, such as a dangerous driving maneuver or a collision, the safety-related driver assistance function can be demonstrated in such a way that, if such a situation occurs later in real driving, the driver is more likely to respond correctly.

[0013] The data configured to demonstrate the driver assistance function may include both the first data and the second data. The data may be configured to demonstrate one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or more) driver assistance functions. The data may be configured to demonstrate multiple driver assistance functions individually or together, for example, in one virtual simulation of a driving situation or different virtual simulations of a driving situation in which the driver assistance function is being demonstrated.

[0014] Exemplary driver assistance functions may be, but are not limited to, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane change assist, parking assist, and generally any partially or fully autonomous driving function, including any autonomous driving level, such as any SAE level defined by SAE J3016. Thus, at least one driver assistance function may be an advanced driver assistance function, which may enable any level of autonomous driving. Thus, the driver assistance function may be configured to at least partially or fully assist the driver of the vehicle in driving the vehicle, i.e., without requiring any control from the driver.

[0015] The selection of the driver assistance function is received based on the user input on the user interface of the vehicle. This step can be performed by a corresponding data processing device, specifically, its processor, or in other words, a computer. Such a data processing device or computer can be of the vehicle, for example, in the form of a control unit or a central computing unit of the vehicle. The selection can be received from the user interface based on the user input of the user of the vehicle (particularly the driver of the vehicle) provided on the user interface. The user interface can be any interface of the vehicle capable of receiving user input. For example, but not limited to, the user interface can be a display, in particular a touch display configured to receive user input via touch interaction thereon, one or more physical buttons, keys, rotary controls, combinations thereof or the like, a voice or speech control interface configured to receive user input via voice communication or in other words from the user's speech (particularly voice commands), or any combination of the foregoing. For example, a prompt can be provided to the user, for example, on the user interface, so that they can provide their user input. For example, the user input can be a selection of one or more driver assistance functions from a plurality of available driver assistance functions to be demonstrated.

[0016] The step of providing the first data may be performed by the above-mentioned data processing device or computer. For example, the provision of the first data may be based on a received selection of a driver assistance function, for example from a plurality of available driver assistance functions, to determine the first data. The first data is provided for the device to virtually demonstrate the selected driver assistance function. Thus, the first data may be provided to the device specifically by the data processing device, for example via wireless or wired data communication, and thus the data processing device or the vehicle and the device may include a data communication interface.

[0017] The step of providing the second data may be performed by the above-mentioned data processing device or computer. For example, providing the second data may be determining the second data based on the received selection of the driver assistance function, for example, determining the second data from a second data set including different control operations for one or more (in particular different) components of the vehicle. The second data may be provided to at least one component or its control unit by the data processing device, for example, via wireless or wired data communication, so the data processing device or the vehicle and at least one component or its control unit may include a data communication interface. However, the data processing device itself may also control the operation of at least one component without a control unit in between.

[0018] The method may also include receiving user input on a user interface of the vehicle and correspondingly providing a selection of driver assistance functions to be received by the data processing device. The method may also include receiving first data by a device. In addition, the method may include processing the first data by a device for virtually demonstrating the driver assistance function. In addition, the method may include virtually demonstrating the selected driver assistance function on the device. In addition, the method may include receiving second data or control instructions based thereon by at least one component or its control unit or a data processing device of the electric vehicle for controlling the operation of at least one component. In addition, the method may include processing the second data or control instructions based thereon by at least one component, control unit or data processing device for controlling the operation of at least one component of the vehicle to physically assist the virtual demonstration of the selected driver assistance function on the device. In addition, the method may include operating at least one component of the vehicle based on the provided second data.

[0019] The method may be at least partially implemented by a computer, wherein one, more or all steps of the method may be performed by a computer. The method may be implemented in software or hardware, or in software and hardware. In addition, the method may be performed by computer program instructions running on a device providing data processing functions. The data processing device may be a suitable computing device, such as an electronic control module, etc., which may also be a distributed computer system. The data processing device or the computer may include one or more of a processor, a memory, a data interface, etc., respectively.

[0020] According to an example, the device may be at least one of a head-mounted display and a head-up display. Both provide an immersive virtual demonstration of a selected driver assistance function within the vehicle. The head-mounted display may be, but is not limited to, any of glasses, headphones, helmets, etc., including a display for displaying content (particularly video content) of the virtual demonstration. The head-up display may be a transparent display, for example, embedded in the windshield of the vehicle, and the content for the virtual demonstration may be projected onto the transparent display, for example, via a corresponding projector.

[0021] According to an example, the device may be detachable from the vehicle and operatively coupled to the vehicle. This gives the possibility that the user can use his own device to virtually demonstrate the selected driver assistance function. Furthermore, specific devices may be used, such as, for example, a head mounted display, which may not be used when driving the vehicle and is therefore not usually provided with the vehicle. The coupling, in particular in the form of data communication, may be wireless or wired.

[0022] According to an example, the first data may indicate at least one of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Virtual reality may be understood as a simulated experience of a virtual world, or in other words, a simulated experience of reality. It may employ different technologies, such as gesture tracking and 3D near-eye display on a device, to give the user a sense of immersion in a virtual world. The virtual world may include or simulate a virtual driving situation, for example, as described above, where a driver assistance function may be virtually displayed. Augmented reality may be understood as an interactive experience combining real-world and computer-generated content. The content may span multiple sensory modalities, including vision, hearing, touch, feeling, and smell. Augmented reality may include a real world, such as a vehicle interior, including, for example, a vehicle control interface, such as a steering wheel and pedals, and a virtual world, such as a vehicle exterior, such as a simulation of a driving scene. It may also or alternatively include a user's real-time interaction, such as a real-time interaction with the vehicle, such as a user's steering or pedal pressing. Preferably, when real-time interaction with a user is included, the vehicle may be in at least one of an autonomous driving mode and a stationary mode, as will be further explained in more detail below. Additionally or alternatively, augmented reality may include 3D registration of virtual and / or real objects (such as a vehicle's steering wheel and pedals). Mixed reality may include both virtual reality and augmented reality or at least aspects of both. Generally, mixed reality may be understood as a simulated experience in which a real-world environment and a computer-generated environment are mixed together. Physical and virtual objects may coexist in a mixed reality environment and interact in real time.

[0023] According to an example, the first data may include simulation data for virtually simulating at least one driving condition. In addition, the first data may be configured to virtually demonstrate the selected driver assistance function for at least one driving condition. Therefore, the selected driver assistance function can be displayed in at least one driving condition for a particularly realistic demonstration of the selected driver assistance function, without putting the user in danger compared to, for example, demonstrating the driving condition in the real world. The simulation data may include simulations of environments, such as roads, static objects (such as houses, traffic lights, etc.), moving objects (such as other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.), etc. In the simulated driving condition, the user's vehicle may be involved in a dangerous driving maneuver or collision with their vehicle or another moving object, for example, so that the driver assistance function is simulated to prevent a collision or, in other words, a collision. Alternatively, in the simulated driving condition, a normal driving scenario without any specific risk to the vehicle can be simulated, for example, to demonstrate driver assistance functions, such as parking assistance and lane keeping assistance.

[0024] According to an example, the second data may be configured to notify the driver of an event in the virtual demonstration by controlling the operation of at least one component. Such an event may be a reason for demonstrating a selected driver assistance function. For example, an event may be a trigger for demonstrating a driver assistance function. The event may occur during a virtual demonstration of a driver assistance function. The event may be a dangerous driving maneuver of another moving object or a pre-collision condition with another moving object. For example, a moving object may be simulated in the virtual demonstration and may be a vehicle. For example, in the case where the event is a pre-collision condition, in which the user's vehicle is about to collide with a moving object, the driver assistance function may be automatic emergency braking being demonstrated so that the collision can be avoided.

[0025] In an example, the at least one component may be at least one of a light, a display, and a speaker. Thus, in order to notify the driver of the event, at least one of the light, the display, and the speaker may be operated to indicate the event. For example, such a light may be a warning light in the instrument cluster of the vehicle, a flashing headlight of the vehicle, a warning message on a vehicle display, an audio notification via a speaker (e.g., the vehicle is about to collide), etc., thereby notifying the driver of the event.

[0026] In an example, at least one component may include an actuator, and at least one component may be configured to physically interact with the driver when the actuator is operated. In addition, the second data may be configured to physically interact with the driver in an event in the virtual presentation by controlling the operation of the at least one actuator. The event in the virtual presentation may be as described above. By having the actuator operated for physical interaction of the component with the driver, the virtual presentation may be even more immersive, and thus the driver may better understand and recall better if a similar event occurs in real-world driving.

[0027] In an example, the at least one component may be at least one of a seat, an air climate system and a seat belt. For example, the seat position of a seat may be changed by actuating a seat actuator of the seat. Such a seat actuator may, for example, be an electric motor. For example, the blower level may be changed by actuating an actuator of the air climate system, which actuator may, for example, be a compressor or a fan. For example, a seat belt may be tensioned with the aid of an actuator for tensioning the seat belt, which actuator may, for example, be an electric motor. The second data may be specifically configured for controlling the actuator when an event in the virtual presentation occurs. Thus, in addition to the virtual presentation, the user may also physically experience the event.

[0028] In an example, the method may further include:

[0029] receiving at least one driving control instruction based on user control of a driving control interface of the vehicle, and

[0030] The first data is provided to the device based on the at least one received driving control instruction.

[0031] Thus, the method may additionally provide for interaction with the vehicle via its driving control interface (e.g., but not limited to, a steering wheel, a brake pedal, and an accelerator pedal). Thus, the user may actively influence the virtual demonstration by causing at least one driving control instruction from his real-world driving control interface to affect the virtual demonstration (e.g., an event therein). Thus, taking into account the user's driving as a driver with his driving control instructions, at least one driver assistance function may be displayed or applied in the virtual demonstration, in particular in a virtual simulation of a driving situation. The driving control interface, although being a component of the vehicle, may be different from at least one component of the vehicle for physically assisting the virtual demonstration of the selected driver assistance function on the device. Thus, the selected driver assistance function may be demonstrated as even more immersive and closer to the real-world use of the selected driver assistance function.

[0032] In an example, at least one driving control instruction may indicate at least one of deceleration, acceleration and steering. Therefore, such driving control instructions may be given by a user via, for example, a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal or a steering wheel as a driving control interface.

[0033] In an example, the method may further include:

[0034] receiving an indication that the vehicle is in at least one of an autonomous driving mode and a stationary mode,

[0035] Wherein, the first data and the second data are provided upon receiving the instruction. This may be an alternative to providing driving control instructions and for providing the first data. Specifically, performing a virtual demonstration with autonomous driving mode or stationary mode as a prerequisite for providing the first data and the second data may prevent the virtual demonstration from conflicting with the driver's actual driving operation, which may be a safety risk. However, the virtual demonstration may be performed safely when in autonomous driving mode (i.e., the vehicle is fully autonomously driven) or in stationary mode (i.e., the vehicle is not moving).

[0036] According to a second aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect. The computer program product may be such a computer program or a product having the computer program stored thereon, such as a computer readable medium.

[0037] According to a third aspect, there is provided a data processing apparatus comprising components for executing the method of the first aspect. The component may be a computer, for example comprising a processor and a computer readable medium, in particular a computer readable medium as described above with respect to the computer program product of the second aspect.

[0038] The data processing device and / or the computer program product may include a module for each step of the method as described herein. For example, there may be a receiving module for receiving a selection of a driver assistance function based on a user input on a user interface of the vehicle. In addition, there may be one or two providing modules for providing first data and second data. The modules may be implemented in hardware and / or software.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising the data processing apparatus of the third aspect.

[0040] As described, in an example, the device may be part of a vehicle. If the device is separate from the vehicle, then according to a fifth aspect, a system comprising a vehicle and the device may be provided.

[0041] It should be noted that the above-mentioned examples can be combined with each other regardless of the aspects involved.

[0042] These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a vehicle and individual devices according to one aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The drawings are merely schematic representations and serve merely to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference numerals.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 10 is shown, which may be a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, for example. The vehicle 10 comprises a data processing device 20, which comprises a processor 22 and a computer program product 24, which may be a computer program itself or a computer-readable storage medium, on which the computer program may be stored. When the data processing device 20 executes the computer program of the computer program product 24 by means of its processor 22, the following operations may be performed: Figure 2 The method 100 is schematically shown in FIG.

[0048] The vehicle 10 also includes a user interface 30 that can be coupled to the data processing device 20, such as Figure 1 As shown. In addition, there may be a device 60, which may be part of the vehicle 10 or separate from it, but still located in the vehicle 10, that is, in its cockpit. The device 60 may be any electronic device capable of virtually displaying driver assistance functions. The device 60 may be, for example, but not limited to, a head-mounted display or a head-up display. The device 60 may be configured to establish wireless or wired data communication with the data processing device 20, as shown by the line connecting the data processing device 20 with the separate device 60. For this purpose, both the vehicle 10 and the separate device 60 may include corresponding communication interfaces, which may be based on, for example, any wireless or wired communication standard. The user interface 30 may include any type of input device for making a selection based on user input, as further described below. Such an input device may be, but not limited to, a touch display, a physical button, a key and / or a rotary control or a speech-based input device.

[0049] The vehicle 10 also includes at least one component 40, wherein the exemplary vehicle 10 is shown as having three different components 40. The components 40 may be, but are not limited to, lights (particularly indicator lights), displays, speakers, seats, air climate systems, seat belts, and the like.

[0050] The vehicle 10 also includes a driving control system 50, which may include different driving control interfaces 52. Exemplarily, three different driving control interfaces 52 are shown, through which the driver can control the driving of the vehicle 10. These driving control interfaces 52 may be, for example, but are not limited to, a steering wheel, a brake pedal, and an accelerator pedal.

[0051] According to Figure 1 In the method 100 shown, in a first step 102 of the method 100, an indication that the vehicle 10 is in at least one of an autonomous driving mode and a stationary mode may be received. If the indication is received, the method 100 may continue with any of the further steps 104 to 110 of the method 100, in particular, for example, at least steps 106 and 108. Alternatively, for example, step 102 may be performed in parallel or after step 104 of the method 100. Note that the order of the steps of the method 100 explained herein is merely exemplary and is not limited thereto. In addition, any step of the method 100 explained herein may be performed by at least the data processing device 20.

[0052] Then, in step 104, the data processing device 20 receives a selection 1 of a driver assistance function of the vehicle 10 based on a user input on the user interface 30 (see Figure 1 ). For example, before receiving the selection 1, the user may select a driver assistance function via a user input on the user interface 30, and the user interface 30 sends the selection 1 to the data processing device 20. The selected driver assistance function may be one of many different driver assistance functions, which may be demonstrated as explained below, and which are provided to the user for selection on the user interface 30.

[0053] Then, in step 106, the data processing device 20 provides first data 2 (see Figure 1) for virtually demonstrating the selected driver function thereon. For example, the provided first data 2 may be determined based on a selection received from a first data set having different first data 2. For example, the first data 2 may be provided for transmission to the device 60 via the above-mentioned connection, and thus transmitted to the device 60. Thereafter, the device 60 may process the first data 2 and virtually demonstrate the selected driver assistance function. For example, the first data may indicate at least one of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. For example, the first data 2 may include simulation data for virtually simulating at least one driving condition, wherein the first data 2 may be configured to virtually demonstrate the selected driver assistance function for at least one driving condition. In at least one driving condition, for example, different objects (static and moving) may be displayed on the device 60.

[0054] After step 106, before step 106 or at least partially in parallel with step 106, in step 108 of method 100, the second data 3 may be provided by the data processing device 20 (see Figure 1 ), for controlling the operation of at least one of the components 40 of the vehicle 10 to physically assist in the virtual demonstration of the selected driver assistance function. Thus, while the first data 2 may provide a virtual demonstration, the second data 3 may provide physical assistance, in particular real-world assistance, in the demonstration. For example, one or more of the components 40 of the vehicle 10 may be used to notify the driver of an event in the virtual demonstration and / or one or more of the components 40 may physically interact with the driver when an event occurs, thereby physically affecting the driver in the real world in addition to what he sees in the virtual demonstration. For example, when the event is a collision in the virtual demonstration of the driving situation, then a seat belt as an example of one of the components 40 may be tensioned by a corresponding actuator in order to physically assist in the virtual demonstration of the collision and the driver assistance function used therein, such as automatic emergency braking, in the real world, thereby providing a more immersive experience. It is clear that the user of the vehicle (in particular the driver) using the device 60 for virtual demonstration should be seated in the vehicle 10 so that the components 40 of the vehicle 10 can physically assist in the virtual demonstration.

[0055] Before any step 102, 104, 106, 108, between these steps or at least partially to one or more of these steps 102, 104, 106, 108, or as Figure 2 As shown, after step 108, step 110 of method 100 may be performed, wherein the data processing device 20 may receive at least one driving control instruction 4 based on user control of one or more driving control interfaces 52 (see Figure 1). Such a driving control instruction 4 may be received when the user controls one of the driving control interfaces 52 (e.g., by pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal or by steering the vehicle 10 using the steering wheel). The first data 2 may, for example, be provided initially or again based on at least one received driving control instruction 4, i.e., it is taken into account for the virtual demonstration, in particular driving the vehicle 10 in the virtual demonstration, correspondingly, for example steering it, accelerating or decelerating it. Thus, the method 100 may provide for influencing the virtual demonstration, in particular the driving conditions simulated therein, via the driver's driving control instructions 4, in order to further enhance the immersive experience and make the virtual demonstration as realistic as possible, however, based on the guarantee that the driver is not actively driving according to step 102, without causing risks to the driver.

[0056] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include at least one of each entity specifically listed within the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities referred to by the phrase "at least one" may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer to at least one A, optionally including more than one A, without B (and optionally including entities other than B) in one example; to at least one B, optionally including more than one B, without A (and optionally including entities other than A) in another example; and to at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally including other entities) in yet another example. In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" may represent A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the foregoing in combination with at least one other entity.

[0057] By studying the drawings, the disclosure, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed examples when practicing the disclosure claimed for protection. The word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "one" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement the functions of several items or steps. The pure fact of certain measures does not mean that the combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. The computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided together with other hardware or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any figure mark should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] Reference numerals list

[0059] 1 Instructions

[0060] 2 First Data

[0061] 3 Second Data

[0062] 4 Driver control instructions

[0063] 10 Vehicles

[0064] 20Data processing device

[0065] 22 processors

[0066] 24 Computer program products

[0067] 30 User Interface

[0068] 40 parts

[0069] 50 Driving control system

[0070] 52 Driving control interface

[0071] 60 devices

[0072] 100 Methods

[0073] Steps 102-110

Claims

1. A method (100) for providing data (2, 3) configured for demonstrating a driver assistance function of a vehicle (10), the driver assistance function being configured to at least partially assist a driver of the vehicle (10) in driving the vehicle (10), the method (100) comprising: receiving a selection (1) of the driver assistance function based on a user input on a user interface (30) of the vehicle (10), providing first data (2) for use by a device (60) in virtually demonstrating a selected driver assistance function, and Second data (3) is provided for controlling the operation of at least one component (40) of the vehicle (10) to physically assist in the virtual presentation of the selected driver assistance function on the device (10).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The device (60) is at least one of a head mounted display and a heads up display.

3. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The device (60) is separate from the vehicle (10) and operably coupled to the vehicle (10).

4. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The first data (2) indicates at least one of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality.

5. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The first data (2) includes simulation data for virtually simulating at least one driving situation, and wherein the first data (2) is configured to virtually demonstrate a selected driver assistance function for the at least one driving situation.

6. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The second data (3) is configured to notify the driver of events in the virtual presentation by controlling operation of the at least one component (40).

7. The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one component (40) is at least one from among a light, a display and a speaker.

8. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein: The at least one component (40) comprises an actuator, and the at least one component (40) is configured to physically interact with the driver when the actuator is operated, and wherein the second data (3) is configured to physically interact with the driver during an event in the virtual presentation by controlling the operation of the at least one actuator.

9. The method (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The at least one component (40) is at least one of a seat, an air climate system and a safety belt.

10. The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving at least one driving control instruction (4) based on user control of a driving control interface (52) of the vehicle (10), and The first data (2) is provided to the device (60) based on at least one received driving control instruction (4).

11. The method (100) according to claim 10, wherein: The at least one driving control instruction (4) indicates at least one of deceleration, acceleration and steering.

12. The method (100) of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an indication that the vehicle (10) is in at least one of an autonomous driving mode and a stationary mode, Wherein, the first data (2) and the second data (3) are provided when the indication is received.

13. A computer program product (24) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A data processing device (20) comprising components for executing the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A vehicle (10) comprising a data processing device (20) according to claim 14.

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