Method for providing a virtual race engineer, as well as a control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing a virtual race engineer for a motor vehicle on a race track by means of a control unit comprising at least the following components: a communication unit; a detection unit; a processing unit; and a sound unit, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a. Determining whether the motor vehicle is located on a race track; b. Receiving environmental data of the race track by means of the communication unit; c. Acquiring vehicle data by means of the detection unit; d. Determining an information text based on the environmental data received in step b. and the vehicle data acquired in step c. by means of the processing unit; and e. Outputting the information text determined in step d. by means of the sound unit.It is a method for providing a virtual race engineer to a driver of a motor vehicle on a race track, which enables a safe, distraction-free drive.

Description

The invention relates to a method for providing a virtual racing engineer and to a control device.Race tracks for motor vehicles, such as round courses, are also usable by amateurs. It is known that motor vehicles, including sports series vehicles, are equipped with display systems, by means of which, for example, performance data of the own motor vehicle can be displayed in order to provide the driver with feedback about the performance thereof on the race track.A disadvantage here is, for example, that these displays take place visually and the driver is distracted in this way or has to direct his gaze to the corresponding fittings. Particularly, when the driver searches for certain information, such a search query has a high distraction potential.Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to overcome at least partially the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features according to the invention are evident from the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically expedient manner, wherein the explanations from the following description and features from the figures, which comprise supplementary configurations of the invention, can also be used for this purpose.The invention relates to a method for providing a virtual racing engineer for a motor vehicle on a track by means of a control device, having at least the following components:a communication unit;a detection unit;a computing unit; anda sound device,wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a. determining whether the motor vehicle is located on a track; b. by means of the communication device, receiving environmental data of the track; c. by means of the detection unit, detecting vehicle data; d. by means of the computing unit, determining an information text on the basis of the environmental data received in step b. and the vehicle data detected in step c.; and e. by means of the sound device, outputting the information text of the information text determined in step d.Ordinal numbers used in the preceding and following description, unless expressly stated to the contrary, serve only for the clear distinguishability and do not represent an order or ranking of the designated components. An ordinal number greater than one does not require that a further such component must necessarily be present.By means of the method proposed here, a virtual racing engineer is provided. A virtual racing engineer is configured to provide or support the driver of the motor vehicle with information and instructions. In this case, the virtual racing engineer is also used, for example, to provide emotional racing mood, which is in particular reminiscent of that of a professional racing. For example, the virtual racing engineer is configured to reproduce, as information texts, announcements in the style of a racing management of a professional racing team.For this purpose, a control device is provided, which has a communication unit, a detection unit, a computing unit and a sound device.The communication unit includes a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The first transmitter is arranged in the motor vehicle, a second transmitter and / or a third transmitter is arranged in a further vehicle and / or a central computing device. Information can thus be transmitted by means of the communication unit between the motor vehicle, the central computing device and / or at least one further vehicle.The detection unit has, for example, one or more sensors and / or interfaces and evaluation units. The detection unit is configured to detect information about the motor vehicle and / or its environment. For example, a speed of the motor vehicle, an acceleration of the motor vehicle, wear indicators of specific components such as the tire, a position of the motor vehicle, temperatures of specific components, for example a battery temperature, slip of the motor vehicle, traction of the motor vehicle, damage to components and / or component failures are detected. Alternatively or additionally, for example, by means of cameras and / or LiDAR, environmental information such as road condition, objects on the roadway and / or weather information is captured.The computing unit comprises at least one processor and a data memory. For example, the computing unit is arranged on the motor vehicle, the central computing device and / or at least one further vehicle. Preferably, at least one processor of the computing unit is arranged in the motor vehicle, the central computing device and / or the at least one further vehicle.The method is, for example, at least partially a computer-implemented method, for example realized by a computer program, wherein the computer program comprises a computer program code, wherein the computer program code, when executed on a computer, here the computing unit, causes the computer to execute the method according to the description. Computer program code is used interchangeably to refer to one or more instructions or instructions which cause a computer or the computing unit to perform a series of operations, which represent, for example, an algorithm and / or other processing methods.The computer program can preferably be partially or completely executed on an onboard computer of the motor vehicle and / or on a separate control device. The term computer is used here interchangeably with the devices known from the prior art. A computer or the computing unit accordingly comprises one or more general-purpose processors (CPU) or microprocessors, RISC processors, GPU and / or DSP. Optionally or additionally, the terms refer to such a device which is capable of executing a provided or incorporated program, preferably with a standardized programming language (for example C++, JavaScript or Python) and / or of controlling and / or accessing data storage devices and / or other devices such as input interfaces and output interfaces. The terms computer and computing unit also refer to a plurality of processors or a plurality of (sub)computers that are interconnected and / or otherwise communicatively interconnected (e.g., OTA) via physical lines and may share one or more other resources, such as the data store. A (data) memory is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a (non-volatile) solid-state memory, for example a ROM memory or flash memory [flash EEPROM]. The memory often comprises a plurality of individual physical units or is distributed to a plurality of separate devices such that access thereto takes place via data communication, for example packet data communication (for example as per the Internet Protocol [TCP / IP]). The latter is a decentralized solution, wherein data memories and processors of a plurality of separate computers are used instead of a (single) central server or in addition to a central server.The sound device preferably comprises at least one, particularly preferably a plurality of boxes. For example, the boxes are arranged at least partially in the vehicle cockpit of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the sound device is integrated, for example, in a driver helmet or another headset. The sound device is configured to reproduce sounds audible to the driver. Preferably, the information text, i.e. a speech text, can be output acoustically and in a manner comprehensible to the driver by means of the sound device.The method now has at least the following steps: a. determining whether the motor vehicle is located on a race track; b. by means of the communication device, receiving environment data of the race track; c. by means of the detection unit, detecting vehicle data; d. by means of the computing unit, determining an information text on the basis of the environment data received in step b. and the vehicle data detected in step c.; and e. by means of the sound device, outputting the information text of the information text determined in step d.In step a., it is determined whether the motor vehicle is on a track. For this purpose, for example, the position of the motor vehicle is detected, for example, by means of a satellite-based position detection system, for example, GPS [Global Positioning System]. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a registration is carried out when entering the track, the driver specifies by means of a user input that he is located on a track and / or the motor vehicle connects, for example by means of the first transmitter, to a transmitter of the track, for example in a central computing device of the track.In step b., environment data of the race track are received by means of the communication device. Weather data, for example from a weather database or from at least one measurement station on the track, are received, for example. Alternatively or additionally, information about roadway condition, weather, objects on the roadway, further vehicles on the roadway, and / or performance data of further vehicles is received by further vehicles.The environmental data are received by the computing unit or parts of the computing unit which are arranged in the motor vehicle and / or the central computing device.In step c., vehicle data is acquired by means of an acquisition unit. The vehicle data include, for example, a speed of the motor vehicle, an acceleration of the motor vehicle, wear indicators of specific components such as the tire, a position of the motor vehicle, temperatures of specific components, for example a battery temperature, slip and traction, damage and / or component failures, engine speed, torque, gear selection, lap times, route section times and / or driving line or a position of the motor vehicle on the roadway.In step d., the computing unit is used to determine an information text on the basis of the environment data received in step b. and the vehicle data acquired in step c. Step d. is preferably carried out by means of a part of the computing unit which is arranged in the motor vehicle and / or the central computing device. If step d. is carried out on the central computing device, the vehicle data recorded in step c. are first transmitted to the central computing device in an intermediate step, by means of the communication device. In a subsequent intermediate step, the information text is transmitted to the motor vehicle by means of the communication device.In a step e., the information text in the motor vehicle is output, i.e., played back acoustically, by means of the sound device.By means of the method proposed here, a virtual race engineer can be provided which enables safe driving without distraction and at the same time enables a particularly authentic and emotional race feel.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the method further comprises the following step: f. by means of a microphone, capturing a speech input of an occupant, wherein the information text is determined in step d. on the basis of the speech input.It is now proposed here that the method further comprises a step f. In step f., the voice input of an occupant, preferably of the driver, is recorded by means of a microphone.The microphone is arranged, for example, in a cockpit of the motor vehicle, a helmet or a headset. The voice input is, for example, a query or search query of the occupant, preferably of the driver. For example, the voice input is a question of current performance data such as the current round time, the current position in an actual race or a virtual race. Alternatively or additionally, the voice input is, for example, a question about a comparison of the performance data with performance data of another driver or vehicle or with performance data of the same motor vehicle and / or driver from a preceding trip, round or route section. For example, the voice input is a query about racing tactics, for example when a next box stop is recommended or whether specific vehicle components, for example on the basis of their current temperature, require or make recommended an adaptation of the driving style.The environment data received in step b. and / or the vehicle data determined in step c. are detected or called up, for example, on the basis of the voice input. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle data and / or environment data are continuously retrieved and / or acquired. For example, some vehicle data and / or environment data are continuously acquired and others are only acquired if they are necessary for ascertaining the information text in step d. on the basis of the voice input according to step f.Accordingly, the driver or occupant is preferably given a response to his question by means of the information text. For example, the information text comprises, for example, information about the race course, environmental data of the race track or indications or proposals for racing tactics or adaptation of the driving style.According to this embodiment, a method is provided which enables a low-distraction and thus safe interaction of the occupant with the virtual racing engineer.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the environment data further comprise at least one from the following list:position data of a further vehicle on the track;speed of a further vehicle;accident data;information about the road condition;weather information; andinformation about objects on the track.According to this embodiment, the environmental data received in step b. comprise position data of at least one further vehicle, the speed of at least one further vehicle, accident data, information about the road condition, weather information and / or information about objects on the track.For example, position data of at least one further vehicle is ascertained, for example by means of satellite-assisted position detection (for example GPS) and / or cameras on the race track. For example, an information text can be determined by means of the position data and / or the speed of the further vehicle, which information text informs the driver of the motor vehicle whether a slow or stationary vehicle is located on the roadway of the route section lying ahead. Alternatively or additionally, position data is used to determine an information text relating to performance data relating to competing vehicles in a race.For example, accident data are information about the fact that at least one further vehicle on the roadway had an accident and, for example, a vehicle and / or vehicle parts are located on the roadway.Weather information is, for example, information about wet or icy road sections or fogs on road sections.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the vehicle data comprise at least one from the following list:performance data - vehicle damage;tank filling;slip;- traction;temperature of components;wear indicators; andvehicle position.Performance data are, for example, lap times, sector times of specific sectors or route section, the speed of the motor vehicle (current or average speed in the race, a lap or a specific route section), torque of the engine, rotational speed of the engine, the line traveled, for example in comparison with an ideal line, the selected gear. For example, information texts can be determined on the basis of the performance data, which provide the driver with instructions to improve the driving performance thereof. For example, indications can be given regarding the selection of the gear for adapting the driving line and / or the speed in specific route sections.Vehicle damage is, for example, the failure or damage to certain components. For example, based on vehicle damage, a warning can be output to the driver as information text that the motor vehicle is to be immediately parked, that the speed should be reduced, that the next possibility should leave the track or a box should be searched for, and / or that maintenance of the motor vehicle should be carried out.For example, an information text can be determined and output on the basis of the filling of the tank, which information text informs the driver that refueling is necessary in a specific time and / or number of rounds. For example, a recommendation can be output as information text that the box should be searched in a specific number of rounds in order to optimize the filling time in a racing strategic manner.Information texts on box stops and / or speed fits can also be made on the basis of tire wear, for example.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the method further comprises the following substep in step d.: d1. comparing performance data with own, preceding performance data or the performance data of further vehicles or drivers.According to this specific embodiment, in a step d 1, the performance data of the motor vehicle or its driver are now compared with performance data of a further vehicle and / or of the same driver or motor vehicle.For example, the performance data of the motor vehicle are comparable to performance data of a further vehicle on the track. For example, information texts can be determined and output on the basis of the comparison, which include a position of the motor vehicle in a direct or time-shifted race or the distance to another vehicle.If the comparison is based on a comparison of performance data of the same motor vehicle or driver (from previous journeys or route sections), improvements and / or degradations are included in the corresponding information text, for example.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the information text is called up from a database in step d. and / or is determined by means of an artificial intelligence.According to this embodiment, the information text is determined by means of an artificial intelligence and / or called up from a database. For example, the database is stored on the data memory. For example, the database comprises text modules which are assigned, for example, to specific situations or combinations of environment data and vehicle data. For example, the text modules of known racers or moderators have been tried from the racing sports sector.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that the information text comprises at least one from the following list:- warning messages;- performance data;improvement instructions; and- Motifation Announcements.Warning messages included, for example, information about objects, slow or stationary further vehicles on the race track, about critical damage or operating ranges (for example temperatures, tire pressure or tank filling) of the motor vehicle or its components. Warning messages are preferably also output without a voice input of the driver.According to a further aspect, a control device is proposed, having at least the following components:a motor vehicle having a sound device, a detection unit and a first transmitter;a further vehicle;a computing unit; anda second transmitter which is locally spaced apart from the motor vehicle.The control device is above all characterized in that the control device is configured to execute a method according to an embodiment according to the above description.A control device is now proposed here, which has a motor vehicle, a further vehicle, a computing unit and a communication device.The communication device comprises a first transmitter, which is arranged in the motor vehicle, and at least one second transmitter, which is arranged, for example, in the central computing device and / or the at least one further vehicle.The motor vehicle further comprises a sound device.The further vehicle is a motor vehicle on the track.The communication device is designed to transmit data between the motor vehicle and the central computing device and / or the further vehicle.The computing unit comprises at least one processor and a data memory. The computing unit is preferably arranged with parts on the motor vehicle, the further vehicle and / or the central computing device. Furthermore, the explanations regarding the computing unit or computers apply according to the above description.The control device is designed to execute the method according to the preceding description. The communication device is designed to transmit data between the motor vehicle and the central computing device and / or the further vehicle. Thus, a transmitter of the communication device is designed to acquire environment data of the race track according to step b. The environmental data are received, for example, by a part of the computing unit which is arranged on the central computing device and / or the motor vehicle. For example, data from sensors of further vehicles, weather measuring stations, external cameras or other sensors on the track are transmitted to the central computing device or the motor vehicle. The communication unit is thus configured for a vehicle-vehicle communication and / or a vehicle backend communication (here, for example, with the central computing device).The detection unit comprises, for example, sensors or measuring means and evaluation units in the motor vehicle. For example, the detection unit comprises means for measuring the speed, the torque, the rotational speed, the acceleration, component wear, tire pressure, tank filling, position, slip, and / or component temperature in the motor vehicle. Thus, the acquisition unit is configured to acquire vehicle data according to step c.The arithmetic unit is designed to ascertain the information text according to step d. For example, an information text is determined by means of the computing unit on the basis of the voice input of a driver of the motor vehicle and the environmental data received in step b. and the vehicle data recorded in step c. For example, the computing unit is designed, for example by means of an artificial intelligence [AI], to evaluate the voice input of the driver in order to determine which information the driver wishes to retrieve with the voice input. Alternatively or additionally, the computing device is configured to start outputting an information text without the driver's voice input, for example if specific vehicle data or environmental data exceed limit values, warning messages are necessary, the race event changes and / or improvement messages are appropriate for the driver. The computing device is further configured to retrieve the information necessary for this from a database, from another vehicle and / or detection units. For example, the computing unit is designed, for example by means of an AI, to respond to the voice input of the driver in a context-related manner.By means of the sound device, the information text determined by the computing unit can be acoustically reproduced in the motor vehicle.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the control device that the computing unit is arranged at least partially in a central computing device of the track.It is furthermore proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the control device that the second transmitter and / or a third transmitter is arranged in the further vehicle and / or the central computing device.The invention described above is explained in detail below in view of the relevant technical background with reference to the associated drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, it being noted that the drawings are not dimensionally accurate and are not suitable for defining size ratios. It is shown in FIG. 1 : a control device for providing a virtual racing engineer on a track; FIG. 2 : Flow diagram of a method for providing a virtual racing engineer; and FIG. 3 : shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle of a control device for providing a virtual racing engineer.FIG. 1 shows a control device 3 for providing a virtual racing engineer to a driver of a motor vehicle 1 on a track 2 in a symbolic representation. The illustrated track 2 comprises a roadway 16 designed as a round course. However, any number of vehicles 9 can be operated on the track 2 and can be part of the control device 3.A first transmitter 10 of the control device 3 is arranged in the motor vehicle 1, a second transmitter 11 in the further vehicle 9 and a third transmitter 12 in the central computing device 13.According to the illustration, the central computing device 13 comprises a computing unit 5 of the control device 3. The computing unit 5 comprises a processor 17 and a data memory 18.The control device 3 is designed to provide a virtual racing engineer, by means of which information texts for the driver of the motor vehicle 1 are acoustically reproduced in the motor vehicle 1 by means of a sound device 6. The virtual racing engineer is configured to communicate with the driver as close to reality as possible. For example, a microphone 8 (compare FIG. 3 ) is arranged in the motor vehicle 1, by means of which voice inputs of the driver can be carried out.Vehicle data can be detected by means of the motor vehicle 1 by means of a detection unit 4 (not shown here) and transmitted to the computing device 13 by means of the communication device 7. For example, a speed of the motor vehicle 1, an acceleration of the motor vehicle 1, a wear indicator of a component, for example of a tire, a position of the motor vehicle 1, a temperature of a component, for example a battery temperature, a slip of the motor vehicle 1, a traction of the motor vehicle 1, damage to a component and / or a component failure can be detected.By means of the further vehicle 9, environmental data of the race track 2 can be transmitted in a detectable manner to the computing unit 5 by means of the communication device 7. For example, the road condition, an object on the roadway 16, weather information, position data of a further vehicle 9, a speed of a further vehicle 9 or accident data can be detected.The information text can be determined by means of the computing device 13, for example by means of artificial intelligence on the basis of the vehicle data and the environmental data. The information texts can be transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 by means of the communication device 7. The information text can be played back acoustically by means of the sound device 6.Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of a method for providing a virtual racing engineer is shown. For example, the method is carried out by means of the control device 3 according to FIG. 1. In this respect, reference is made to the relevant description.In step a., it is initially determined whether the motor vehicle 1 is located on a track 2. Thus, whether the motor vehicle 1 participates in normal road traffic or is located on a track 2, for example a round heading.If the motor vehicle 1 is located on a track 2, the following steps are carried out or the driver is asked whether he wishes to continue the method.In step b., environment data of the track 2 (as described in reference symbols in FIG. 1 ) are received by means of the communication device 7. The environmental data are thus initially acquired in a step not shown here, for example by means of a further vehicle 9, and transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 and / or the central computing device 13.In step c., vehicle data (as described with reference to FIG. 1 ) is acquired by means of the acquisition unit 4.In an optional step f., a driver's voice input is detected by means of a microphone 8. Step b., step c. and step d. are executable in any order. For example, certain environmental data and / or vehicle data are only acquired or retrieved and received if this is requested by the driver by means of voice input. Other environmental data and / or vehicle data are continuously acquired.In step d., an information text is determined by means of the computing unit 5 on the basis of the environment data received in step b. and the vehicle data recorded in step c., and optionally on the basis of the voice input from step f. In an optional step d 1, performance data are compared with its own previous performance data, for example from other racing days or rounds, or the performance data of further vehicles 9 or drivers.Finally, the information text determined in step d. is output in a step e. by means of the sound device 6, so that it can be perceived by the driver of the motor vehicle 1 in a speech-comprehensible manner.FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle 1 of a control device 3 for providing a virtual racing engineer. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a drive machine 14, a transmission 19, two propulsion wheels 15, a transmitter 10, a sound device 6 and a computing unit 5.The drive engine 14 is designed to provide a drive torque. By means of the transmission 19, the drive machine 14 is connected to the propulsion wheels 15 in a torque-transmitting manner. On the basis of the torque, propulsion of the motor vehicle 1 can be generated by means of the propulsion wheels 15.The computing unit 5 comprises a processor 17 and a data memory 18. For example, the vehicle data are recorded in the motor vehicle 1 by means of the recording unit 4 as in FIG. 1, but no longer have to be transmitted to the central computing device 13. The environmental data, which are acquired, for example, by means of a further vehicle 9, are transmitted from the further vehicle 9 to the motor vehicle 1 by means of the communication unit, in contrast to in FIG. 1. For example, the environmental data are transmitted directly from the vehicle 9 to the motor vehicle 1 or are transmitted via the central computing device 13.For communication with the driver, the motor vehicle 1 comprises the sound device 6, by means of which the information texts can be output, and a microphone 8, by means of which the voice input can be detected.A method for providing a virtual racing engineer to a driver of a motor vehicle on a track is provided which enables safe distraction-free travel.List of reference characters1 Motor vehicle 2 race track 3 control device 4 detection unit 5 computing unit 6 sound device 7 communication device 8 microphone 9 further vehicle 10 first transmitter 11 second transmitter 12 third transmitter 13 central computing device 14 drive machine 15 propulsion wheel 16 roadway 17 processor 18 data memory 19 transmission

Claims

Method for providing a virtual racing engineer for a motor vehicle (1) on a track (2) by means of a control device (3), having at least the following components: - a communication unit; - a detection unit (4); - a computing unit (5); and - a sound device (6), wherein the method has at least the following steps: a. determining whether the motor vehicle (1) is located on a track (2); b. by means of the communication device (7), receiving environment data of the track (2); c. by means of the detection unit (4), detecting vehicle data; d. by means of the computing unit (5), determining an information text on the basis of the environment data received in step b. and the vehicle data detected in step c; and e. by means of the sound device (6), outputting the information text of the information text determined in step d.Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the following step: f. by means of a microphone (8), detecting a speech input of an occupant, wherein the information text is determined in step d. on the basis of the speech input.Method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the environmental data further comprise at least one from the following list: - position data of a further vehicle (9) on the race track (2); - speed of a further vehicle (9); - accident data; - information about the road condition; - weather information; and - information about objects on the race track (2).Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle data comprise at least one from the following list: - performance data - vehicle damage; - tank filling; - slip; - traction; - temperature of components; - wear indicators; and - vehicle position.The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises the following substep in step d.: d1. comparing performance data with own, preceding performance data or the performance data of further vehicles (9) or drivers.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information text is retrieved from a database in step d. and / or is determined by means of an artificial intelligence.Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the information text comprises at least one of the following list: - warning messages; - performance data; - improvement instructions; and - drive of motifs.Control device (3) comprising at least the following components: - a motor vehicle (1) with a sound device (6), a detection unit (4) and a first transmitter (10); - a further vehicle (9); - a computing unit (5); and - a second transmitter (11), which is locally spaced apart from the motor vehicle (1), characterized in that the control device (3) is configured to carry out a method according to one of Claim 1 to Claim 7.Control device (3) according to Claim 8, wherein the arithmetic unit (5) is arranged at least partially in a central arithmetic unit (13) of the track (2).Control device (3) according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the second transmitter and / or a third transmitter (12) is arranged in the further vehicle (9) and / or the central computing device (13).

Images