METHOD FOR AVOIDING COLLISIONS BETWEEN A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A VULNERABLE ROAD USER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, wherein the method (1) comprises the following steps: - Acquisition of data on a current traffic situation by a detection unit of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the current traffic situation includes at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user (2); - Detect, based on the collected data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly (3); and - If it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user may occur shortly, a warning shall be issued to the at least one motor vehicle by a communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, and in particular to a standardized method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user.

[0002] A vulnerable road user is generally understood to be a road user who is comparatively poorly protected or particularly at risk from collisions, for example, pedestrians or cyclists.

[0003] To reduce the number of people killed or injured in road traffic, it is important to avoid collisions between motor vehicles and vulnerable road users as much as possible. For this purpose, predictive safety functions and systems have been developed to detect potential collisions with vulnerable road users as early as possible and to provide early warnings and / or initiate appropriate safety-related actions.

[0004] For example, systems are known that rely on elements attached to a vulnerable road user, such as lights and / or sensors, designed to alert other road users to the vulnerable road user at an early stage. Other systems are based on sensors attached to an infrastructure component, such as a traffic light, on sensors integrated into a motor vehicle, and / or on communication between a motor vehicle and other road users, with the aim of detecting a potential collision between a motor vehicle and such vulnerable road users as early as possible based on the data collected.However, a disadvantage of these procedures is that they are usually not standardized and cannot be easily applied to all road users or transferred to any road user.

[0005] Document WO 2010 / 037823 A1 discloses a method for avoiding collisions between a vehicle and another road user, in particular a pedestrian, which is based on position information determined on the basis of signals transmitted by a mobile phone.

[0006] The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide an improved method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the subordinate claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved by a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, wherein the method involves acquiring data about a current traffic situation by a detection unit of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the current traffic situation includes at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user, detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly, and if it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly,a warning issued to at least one motor vehicle by a communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0009] An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is understood to be an aircraft similar to a model airplane that flies through the air without a pilot.

[0010] The fact that the data are acquired by a detection unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle further means that the data are acquired by at least one sensor, in particular an optical sensor, arranged on or integrated into the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0011] The fact that a warning is issued by the communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to the at least one motor vehicle further means that the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped to communicate with the at least one motor vehicle or to transmit corresponding data to the motor vehicle which signals to it that a potential collision could occur shortly.

[0012] The fact that a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly further means that such a collision could occur within a specified period, for example, within the next one or two minutes. This specified period can be based, for example, on relevant specifications, such as manufacturer's instructions, or on the characteristics of the motor vehicle, that is, the minimum time the at least one motor vehicle needs to initiate appropriate safety-related actions.

[0013] This presents a method that is independent of sensors or other elements attached to vulnerable road users, infrastructure components, or integrated into motor vehicles. In particular, the method is independent of existing elements, vehicle models, and manufacturer specifications, and can therefore be standardized and applied to any road user. Furthermore, potential collisions can be easily identified and detected with relatively few sensors based on real-time data, thereby increasing road safety.

[0014] Overall, this provides an improved method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user.

[0015] In one embodiment, the step of detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user might occur imminently, is performed by a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. This allows the determination of whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user might occur imminently to be carried out without the need to first transmit the relevant data to another unit, such as a backend server, thereby reducing latency in collision avoidance.

[0016] However, the fact that the step of detecting, based on the recorded data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, involves detection by a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle as to whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, is only one possible embodiment.Rather, the step of detecting, based on the collected data, whether a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, can also involve detecting whether a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, by another unit with sufficient resources, for example, a backend server.

[0017] Furthermore, the procedure may also include issuing a warning to the at least one vulnerable road user by the communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle if it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly.

[0018] The fact that a warning is issued by at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to at least one vulnerable road user further means that the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle is also trained to communicate with at least one vulnerable road user, or to transmit corresponding data to them which signal that a potential collision could occur shortly.

[0019] By issuing a warning to at least one easily vulnerable road user, the likelihood that at least one of the road users will initiate appropriate safety-related steps in time to avoid the possible collision can be increased.

[0020] Furthermore, the procedure can also automatically initiate at least one safety-related action in response to the warning issued by the communication unit of the at least one flying object to the at least one motor vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0021] A safety-oriented action is understood here to be an action aimed at preventing the potential collision, for example issuing a visual and / or acoustic and / or haptic warning message, or reducing the speed of at least one motor vehicle.

[0022] By automatically initiating at least one safety-related action, latencies or delays in avoiding potential collisions can be further reduced.

[0023] Furthermore, the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle can be at least one drone and / or at least one satellite.

[0024] A drone is understood to be an unmanned aerial vehicle that is either remotely controlled by humans or controlled by an integrated or external computer, thus becoming (semi-)autonomous.

[0025] A satellite is further defined as an artificial spacecraft that orbits a celestial body in an elliptical or circular orbit to fulfill scientific, commercial or military purposes.

[0026] Since drones and satellites are already used in a wide variety of applications, they can be used here without the need for complex and costly modifications or adjustments.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, a system for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user is also provided, wherein the system comprises at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle has a detection unit for acquiring data about a current traffic situation, wherein the current traffic situation comprises at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user, and at least one detection unit configured to detect, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur imminently, and wherein the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle further comprises at least one communication unit configured to issue a warning to the at least one motor vehicle.if the at least one detection unit detects that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly, in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user.

[0028] This presents an improved system for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user. Specifically, it describes a system that operates independently of sensors or other elements attached to vulnerable road users, infrastructure components, or integrated into motor vehicles. In particular, the system is independent of existing elements, vehicle models, and manufacturer specifications, and can therefore be standardized and applied to any road user. Furthermore, potential collisions can be easily identified and detected with relatively few sensors based on real-time data, thereby further increasing road safety.

[0029] In one embodiment, the at least one detection unit is a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. This allows the determination of whether a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user is imminent to be carried out without the need to first transmit the relevant data to another unit, such as a backend server, thereby reducing latency in collision avoidance.

[0030] However, the fact that the at least one detection unit is a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle is only one possible embodiment. Rather, the at least one detection unit could also be another unit with sufficient resources, for example, a backend server.

[0031] Furthermore, at least one communication unit can be further equipped to issue a warning to at least one vulnerable road user if at least one detection unit detects that a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user is imminent. By issuing a warning to at least one vulnerable road user, the probability that at least one of the road users will initiate appropriate safety measures in time to avoid the potential collision can be increased.

[0032] Furthermore, the system can include an initiation unit configured to automatically initiate at least one safety-related action in response to a warning issued to the at least one motor vehicle by the at least one communication unit, in order to prevent a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user. By automatically initiating the at least one safety-related action, latencies or delays in avoiding the potential collision can be further reduced.

[0033] In summary, the present invention provides a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, and in particular a standardized method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user.

[0034] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figure. Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user according to embodiments of the invention;

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0036] A vulnerable road user is generally understood to be a road user who is comparatively poorly protected or particularly at risk from collisions, for example, pedestrians or cyclists.

[0037] To reduce the number of people killed or injured in road traffic, it is important to avoid collisions between motor vehicles and vulnerable road users as much as possible. For this purpose, predictive safety functions and systems have been developed to detect potential collisions with vulnerable road users as early as possible and to provide early warnings and / or initiate appropriate safety-related actions.

[0038] For example, systems are known that rely on elements attached to a vulnerable road user, such as lights and / or sensors, designed to alert other road users to the vulnerable road user at an early stage. Other systems are based on sensors attached to an infrastructure component, such as a traffic light, on sensors integrated into a motor vehicle, and / or on communication between a motor vehicle and other road users, with the aim of detecting a potential collision between a motor vehicle and such vulnerable road users as early as possible based on the data collected.However, a disadvantage of these procedures is that they are usually not standardized and cannot be easily applied to all road users or transferred to any road user.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a method 1 which includes a step 2 of acquiring data about a current traffic situation by a detection unit of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the current traffic situation includes at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user, a step 3 of detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly, and a step 4 of issuing a warning to the at least one motor vehicle by a communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle if it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly.to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0040] Thus, a method 1 is specified which is independent of sensors or other elements attached to a vulnerable road user and / or to an infrastructure component and / or integrated into a motor vehicle. In particular, the method is independent of existing elements, vehicle models, and manufacturer specifications and can therefore be standardized and applied to any road user. Furthermore, potential collisions can be easily recognized or detected with comparatively few sensors based on real-time data, thereby further increasing road safety.

[0041] Overall, this provides an improved method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user 1.

[0042] In particular, it shows Fig. 1 a method which is based on at least one unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring the traffic situation, and in which traffic safety can be improved by appropriate aircraft-to-vehicle communication.

[0043] The communication between the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle and the at least one motor vehicle, or the aircraft-to-motor vehicle communication, can be based on a radio technology, for example 6G, in order to cover as large an area as possible and at the same time transmit data in real time and enable the shortest possible or lowest latencies.

[0044] Detecting whether a collision between at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user is imminent can be based on determining possible trajectories for both vehicles based on the collected data, such as position and / or motion data like current acceleration or speed, and then comparing these trajectories. Alternatively, the detection can also be based on a machine learning algorithm trained using a suitable deep learning method or labeled training data containing relevant position and motion data, as well as information about whether a collision has occurred.

[0045] How Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the procedure 1 also returns to step 2 if step 3 detects that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user is not imminent.

[0046] According to the embodiments of Fig. 1, step 3 of detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, includes detection by a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle as to whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly.

[0047] How Fig. As further shown in paragraph 1, the procedure 1 also includes a step 5 of issuing a warning to the at least one vulnerable road user by the communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle if it is detected in step 3 that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly.

[0048] In particular, it offers the possibility of communicating with and reaching all road users, with at least one unmanned aerial vehicle monitoring traffic and informing road users accordingly in the event of an impending danger.

[0049] Issuing a corresponding warning can involve instructing a smartphone and / or bicycle computer of at least one vulnerable road user to issue a corresponding visual, audible, and / or haptic warning message. Furthermore, issuing a corresponding warning can also, for example, involve issuing instructions to display a warning message on the frame of a bicycle belonging to at least one vulnerable road user, using a display or film technology, such as changing the frame's color.

[0050] How Fig. As further shown in Figure 1, the procedure also includes a step 6 of automatically initiating at least one safety-related action in response to the warning issued by the communication unit of the unmanned flying object to the at least one motor vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0051] The safety-related action may, for example, involve issuing a visual and / or acoustic and / or haptic warning message, reducing the speed of at least one motor vehicle, or immediately braking at least one motor vehicle.

[0052] The at least one unmanned aerial vehicle may also be at least one drone and / or at least one satellite.

[0053] The at least one drone can be, in particular, a drone operating near urban areas, meaning a drone flying at low altitude over a specific area of ​​a city or region and monitoring it, whereby the at least one drone is trained to scan an entire scanned area and output the corresponding data. Furthermore, each of a multitude of drones can monitor a specific area of ​​the respective city or region.

[0054] Furthermore, at least one satellite can have a significantly higher coverage or detection range than at least one drone.

[0055] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user 10 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0056] How Fig. Figure 2 shows that the system 10 includes an unmanned aerial vehicle 11, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle 11 has a detection unit 12 for acquiring data about a current traffic situation, wherein the current traffic situation includes at least one motor vehicle and at least one easily vulnerable road user, and has at least one detection unit 13 which is configured to detect, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, and wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle 11 further has a communication unit 14 which is configured to issue a warning to the at least one motor vehicle if a collision is detected in the at least one detection unit 13.that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0057] The detection unit can, for example, consist of at least one sensor designed to capture relevant position and / or motion data, such as at least one optical sensor. The detection unit can further be implemented, for example, based on code stored in memory and executable by a processor or computing unit. The communication unit can also be based, for example, on corresponding transmitters.

[0058] According to the embodiments of the Fig. 2. The detection unit 13 is a computing unit of the unmanned aerial vehicle 11, or the detection unit 13 is integrated into the unmanned aerial vehicle 11.

[0059] According to the embodiments of the Fig. 2. The communication unit 14 is further equipped to issue a warning to the at least one vulnerable road user if the detection unit 14 detects that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly.

[0060] How Fig.As further shown in Figure 2, the system 10 also has an initiation unit 15 which is designed to automatically initiate at least one safety-related action in response to the warning issued by the communication unit 14 to the at least one motor vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user.

[0061] The initiation unit can be implemented, for example, based on control units and / or actuators of at least one motor vehicle.

[0062] The at least one unmanned aerial vehicle can also be at least one drone and / or at least one satellite.

[0063] Furthermore, the system shown is designed to execute a procedure described above for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user. Reference symbol list 1 Procedure 2nd process step 3. Procedure step 4. Procedure step 5. Procedure step 6. Procedure step 10 System 11 unmanned aerial vehicle 12 recording units 13 Detection Unit 14 Communication unit 15 Initiation Unit QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2010 / 037823 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] A method for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, the method (1) comprising the following steps: - collecting data on a current traffic situation by a detection unit of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the current traffic situation comprises at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user (2); - Detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user is likely to occur shortly (3); and - If it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly, issuing a warning to the at least one motor vehicle by a communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user (4). [2] Method (1) according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting, based on the acquired data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly (3), comprises detecting by a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly. [3] Method (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method (1) further comprises the following step: - issuing a warning to the at least one vulnerable road user by the communication unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle if it is detected that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly (4). [4] Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method (1) further comprises the following step: - Automatically initiating at least one safety-related action in response to the warning issued by the communication unit of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the at least one motor vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user (5). [5] Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one unmanned flying object is at least one drone or at least one satellite. [6] A system for avoiding collisions between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user, wherein the system (10) comprises at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (11), wherein the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (11) has at least one detection unit (12) for detecting data about a current traffic situation, wherein the current traffic situation comprises at least one motor vehicle and at least one vulnerable road user, and at least one detection unit (13) which is designed to detect, based on the detected data, whether a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly, and wherein the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (11) further has at least one communication unit (14) which is designed to output a warning to the at least one motor vehicle,if the at least one detection unit (13) detects that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user could occur shortly, in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one easily vulnerable road user, [7] System (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one detection unit (13) is a computing unit of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (11). [8] System (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one communication unit (14) is further configured to issue a warning to the at least one vulnerable road user if the at least one detection unit (13) detects that a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user could occur shortly. [9] System (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the system (10) further comprises an initiation unit (15) which is designed to automatically initiate at least one safety-oriented action in response to the warning issued by the at least one communication unit (14) to the at least one motor vehicle in order to avoid a collision between the at least one motor vehicle and the at least one vulnerable road user. [10] System (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the at least one unmanned flying object (11) is at least one drone or at least one satellite.

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