Automatic driving vehicle operation system, and automatic driving vehicle operation device

Abstract

To operate an automatic driving vehicle safely and appropriately, and to rationally utilize a system for that operation.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An automatic driving vehicle operation system comprises: an automatic driving vehicle that operates on a prearranged schedule as a shuttle bus; an information terminal for transmitting data including a congestion state as information influencing an operation of the automatic driving vehicle by an operation assistant who is on board the autonomous vehicle and does not drive the automatic driving vehicle; and an information management unit that performs information processing including issuing a recovery driving instruction to the automatic driving vehicle when the data is received and there is a possibility that the operation may be out of sync with respect to the schedule, or a discrepancy occurs. The information management unit determines that the operation assistant is on duty based on a data transmission history.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an autonomous vehicle operation system and an autonomous vehicle operation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, autonomous vehicles are sometimes operated according to a pre-determined schedule, and sometimes operated by remote control. It's fine if there are no problems with operation, but in the unlikely event of a breakdown, accident, or disaster, various technologies have been proposed to respond by remote control, etc., after grasping the surrounding conditions such as roads, as well as autonomous vehicles.

[0003] Proper automated driving is extremely important because it affects not only the vehicle and its passengers, but also surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic conditions. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that aims to safely switch from automated driving to manual driving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 54458 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with this technology, there has been a need to operate autonomous vehicles safely and appropriately, as well as to operate the systems for their operation in a rational manner.

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to operate autonomous vehicles safely and appropriately, as well as to rationally operate the system for such operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The autonomous vehicle operation system disclosed herein comprises an autonomous vehicle that operates as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule, an information terminal that has an operational assistant who is on board the autonomous vehicle but does not drive the autonomous vehicle transmit data including congestion conditions as information that affects the operation, and an information management unit that receives the data and performs information processing including issuing recovery driving instructions to the autonomous vehicle when there is a risk of the operation deviating from the schedule or when a deviation has occurred, and the information management unit determines that the operational assistant is on duty based on the transmission history of the data. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate autonomous vehicles safely and appropriately, and to rationally operate the systems for such operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an overall image of an autonomous vehicle operation system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing an example of an operation of an information terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing an example of a screen of an information terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing an example of a screen of an information terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of the information management unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the information management unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an example of operation of the autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing an example of operation of the autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of control of the autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of control of the autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of control of the autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a process diagram showing an example of control of an autonomous vehicle operation system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the interior of an autonomous driving vehicle. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an image diagram showing an example of a bus stop. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a passenger attribute database. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a database of road conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The autonomous vehicle operation system disclosed herein comprises: [1] A system comprising: an autonomous vehicle that operates as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule; an information terminal that transmits data including congestion status as information that affects the operation of the autonomous vehicle by an operational assistant who is on board the autonomous vehicle and does not drive the autonomous vehicle; and an information management unit that receives the data and performs information processing including issuing recovery driving instructions to the autonomous vehicle when there is a risk of the operation deviating from the schedule or when a deviation has occurred, and the information management unit determines that the operational assistant is on duty based on the transmission history of the data.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate an autonomous vehicle appropriately, and by using the transmission history of data related to operation as a work history, it is possible to manage the work of driving assistants without having to regularly obtain work history.

[0012] [2] In the above-mentioned [1], it is preferable that the information management unit determines whether the autonomous vehicle can operate according to the schedule by performing the recovery driving after receiving the data that affects the operation, and the information management unit is equipped with an update schedule proposal generation and transmission unit that automatically generates an update schedule proposal and transmits it to the information terminal when it determines that the autonomous vehicle cannot operate according to the schedule, and the data includes an adoption / rejection history transmitted from the information terminal to the information management unit by the operation assistant as to whether the update schedule proposal is adopted or not.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, when the information management unit periodically obtains work and boarding history, if an updated schedule proposal is automatically generated, work can be managed using the history of whether it is adopted or not.

[0014] [3] In the case of [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the data includes at least one of images and videos taken by the driving assistant using the information terminal of at least one of the autonomous vehicle and its surroundings when a malfunction, including a breakdown or accident, occurs in the autonomous vehicle.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, even when the driving assistant is not necessarily on board the autonomous vehicle, the transmission history of images and videos of breakdowns or accidents can be used as work history.

[0016] [4] In the above items [1] to [3], it is preferable that the information terminal is capable of transmitting location information of the information terminal based on a GPS signal to the information management unit as part of the data, and the autonomous vehicle is capable of transmitting location information of the autonomous vehicle based on a GPS signal to the information management unit, and the information management unit determines that the driving assistant is on duty based on the data transmission history only when the information management unit determines that the information terminal is mounted on the autonomous vehicle or that the information terminal is in the vicinity of the autonomous vehicle based on the location information of the information terminal and the autonomous vehicle.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to objectively determine whether a driving assistant is on board an autonomous vehicle or in close proximity to the autonomous vehicle, thereby ensuring thorough work management.

[0018] [5] In the above [4], it is preferable that the information management unit permits the operation only when the information management unit determines that the information terminal is installed in the autonomous vehicle based on position information of the information terminal and the autonomous vehicle.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure not only the work schedule management of driving assistants, but also the operation of autonomous vehicles.

[0020] [6] In the above items [1] to [5], it is preferable that the data includes whether or not there are lane restrictions on the route of the trip.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, even lane restrictions that are not road closures or the like can affect operation, so by sequentially transmitting the presence or absence of lane restrictions to an information management unit, self-driving vehicles can be operated appropriately, and the transmission history of that data can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0022] [7] In the above items [1] to [6], it is preferable that the data includes the presence or absence of parked vehicles on the route of the operation.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, since vehicles parked on the street also affect operation, by sequentially transmitting the presence or absence of parked vehicles on the street to the information management unit, the self-driving vehicle can be operated appropriately, and the history can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0024] [8] In the above items [1] to [7], it is preferable that the data includes passenger attributes and number of passengers that may affect boarding and disembarking from the autonomous vehicle.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, since taking a long time for passengers to board and disembark affects operations, by sequentially transmitting the attributes and number of passengers that may affect operations to an information management unit, it is possible to operate an autonomous vehicle appropriately, and the transmission history of that data can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0026] [9] In any of [1] to [8] above, it is preferable that the data includes the age of the passenger.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, if a passenger is elderly, it may take a long time for them to board and disembark, which may affect operations. Therefore, by sequentially transmitting information about whether or not an elderly person is on board to the information management unit, the self-driving vehicle can be operated appropriately, and work management can be performed using the transmission history of that data.

[0028]

[10] In any of [1] to [9] above, it is preferable that the data includes the language used by the passenger.

[0029] According to the present disclosure, if passengers are foreign nationals, it may take time for them to board and disembark, which may affect operations. Therefore, by sequentially transmitting information about whether the passenger's language is Japanese or not to the information management unit, it is possible to operate the self-driving vehicle appropriately and to manage work hours using the history.

[0030]

[11] In the above items [1] to

[10] , it is preferable that the information processing includes a request for the dispatch of an emergency vehicle when an accident or a malfunction, including a breakdown, occurs in the autonomous vehicle.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, rapid response can be made in the event of an emergency, and operation can be brought as close to optimal as possible.

[0032]

[12] In the items [1] to

[11] above, it is preferable that the information processing includes contacting an insurance company.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, procedures associated with emergencies can be quickly and flexibly responded to.

[0034]

[13] In the above [1] or

[12] , it is preferable that the data includes a comment that the driving assistant wants to display on a vehicle display in the autonomous vehicle.

[0035] According to the present disclosure, the history of comments that an operation assistant sends to an information management unit that he or she wishes to convey to passengers can be considered work history, regardless of whether the information management unit adopts or rejects the comments.

[0036] The autonomous vehicle operation device disclosed herein is

[14] A system for providing a self-driving vehicle that operates as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule, comprising: an information terminal that transmits data including congestion status as information that affects operation of the self-driving vehicle by an assistant driver who is on board the self-driving vehicle and does not drive the self-driving vehicle; and an information management unit that receives the data and performs information processing including issuing recovery driving instructions to the self-driving vehicle when there is a risk of the operation deviating from the schedule or when a deviation has occurred, and the information management unit determines that the assistant driver is on duty based on the data transmission history.

[0037] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate an autonomous vehicle appropriately, and by using the transmission history of data related to operation as a work history, it is possible to manage the work of driving assistants without having to regularly obtain work history.

[0038] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the autonomous vehicle operation system of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this specification, "parallel" and "orthogonal" do not only mean strictly parallel or orthogonal, but also include roughly parallel or orthogonal within the scope of the action and effect of this embodiment.

[0039] [Embodiment 1] (Autonomous Vehicle Operation System 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the autonomously driven vehicle monitoring system 1 includes an autonomously driven vehicle 10, an information terminal 20, and an information management unit 30.

[0040] In the autonomous vehicle operation system 1, an autonomous vehicle 10, an information terminal 20, and an information management unit 30 transmit and receive information to and from each other via wireless communication.

[0041] (Autonomous Vehicles 10) The autonomous vehicle 10 is driven in accordance with a preset driving schedule 40 (to adhere to the predetermined schedule 40).

[0042] In this embodiment, autonomous vehicle 10 is controlled as a route bus to aim to depart and arrive at each stop according to a predetermined schedule 40, and passengers can board at any stop and get off at another any stop. The operation of autonomous vehicle 10 is controlled by predetermined remote operations from information management unit 30, commands sent in real time from information management unit 30, and commands inputted in advance to autonomous vehicle 10.

[0043] The autonomous vehicle 10 constantly exchanges GPS signals with the information management unit 30 and the information terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 10, only when the position information based on the GPS signals of the autonomous vehicle 10 and the information terminal 20 matches or is in close proximity, the information management unit 30 determines that an assistant driver is on duty, and furthermore, permission is given to the autonomous vehicle 10 to operate.

[0044] The predetermined schedule 40 refers to the times when the autonomous vehicle 10 should depart and arrive at each stop.

[0045] Recovery driving refers to controlling the autonomous vehicle 10 to comply with the schedule 40 (timetable) by increasing the speed within the speed limit and shortening the time spent at bus stops.

[0046] (Vehicle Display 11) As shown in Fig. 13, the autonomous vehicle 10 is provided with a vehicle display 11, which displays a schedule 40 described later. If the assistant driver adopts an update schedule proposal 41 automatically generated by an update schedule generating and transmitting unit 34 described later, an update schedule 42 is displayed. The assistant driver also sends the content shown in Fig. 13 as data 22 to the information management unit 30 as a comment that is considered to be good to display on the vehicle display 11. If the information management unit 30 (the operations manager described later) permits the display, the comment is displayed on the vehicle display 11, but even if the information management unit 30 (the operations manager) does not permit the display, the transmission history of the data 22 is used for the operations management of the assistant driver.

[0047] An assistant driver is on board the autonomous vehicle 10. The assistant driver provides various assistance so that the vehicle is driven appropriately, but does not drive the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0048] If there is a factor that causes the operation to deviate from the schedule, such as traffic congestion, the operation assistant transmits the information on that factor as data 22 from an information terminal 20 described below to an information management unit 30 described below. The transmission history of this data 22 to the information management unit 30 is used for work management of the operation assistant. In other words, the transmission history of the data 22 is the work record of the operation assistant.

[0049] When an update schedule proposal 41, which is a proposal for updating the schedule, is sent from the information management unit 30 to the information terminal 20, the operation assistant decides whether to adopt or reject the update schedule proposal 41, as shown in Figure 4, and transmits the decision on adoption or rejection to the information management unit 30 via the information terminal 20.

[0050] The history of the operation assistant sending the updated schedule proposal 41 as adoption or rejection to the information management unit 30 is recorded in the information terminal as an adoption / rejection history and is used for work management of the operation assistant. In other words, the adoption / rejection history of the operation assistant becomes the work performance.

[0051] Furthermore, if an accident, breakdown, or other operational problem occurs with the autonomous vehicle 10, the assistant driver checks the autonomous vehicle 10 and its surroundings, such as the roads, pedestrians, and other vehicles. In this check, the assistant driver takes images and videos of the autonomous vehicle 10 and its surroundings (vicinity) with an information terminal 20, as shown in Fig. 7. The surroundings (vicinity) refer to the roadway on which the autonomous vehicle 10 is traveling and the sidewalks adjacent to the roadway.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8, the driving assistant transmits the captured images and videos from the information terminal 20 to the information management unit 30 as data 22. In particular, when an accident occurs, analysis is important in terms of clarifying responsibility, but there are limitations to analysis using the on-board camera of the autonomous driving vehicle 10 or security cameras and surveillance cameras installed on the road, and obtaining the images and videos itself takes a lot of time and effort, so the images and videos captured by the driving assistant take on this role.

[0053] The history of the images and videos taken by the operation assistant with the information terminal 20 and transmitted as data 22 to the information management unit 30 is used for work management of the operation assistant. In other words, the transmission history of the images and videos is the work record.

[0054] The driving assistant not only sends information about accidents, breakdowns, and other problems, but also information about traffic congestion and the like as data 22 to the information management unit 30 via the information terminal 20, and strives to ensure that the autonomous vehicle 10 operates according to schedule 40.

[0055] When there is a parked vehicle on the route of the operation, the operation assistant transmits the information as data 22 to the information management unit 30 via the information terminal 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The transmission history of this data 22 is also used for the work management of the operation assistant (it becomes the work record).

[0056] Similarly, when there is a lane restriction, the operation assistant sends that information as data 22 to the information management unit 30 via the information terminal 20. The transmission history of this data 22 is also used to manage the work of the operation assistant (it becomes the work record). Road closures also affect operations, but when road closures are known in advance, they are recognized by the information management unit 30 and are incorporated into the route and schedule 40 in advance. When there is a road closure that was not known in advance, the operation assistant makes arrangements with the information management unit 30 (and the operation manager, described below).

[0057] The driving assistant also transmits information about factors that may affect passengers getting on and off the autonomous vehicle 10 to the information management unit 30 as data 22 via the information terminal 20. The transmission history of this data 22 is also used for work management of the driving assistant (as work performance).

[0058] When the information management unit 30 receives these data 22, the information management unit 30 automatically generates an update schedule proposal 41 in an update schedule proposal generating and transmitting unit 34 described later while referring to the road condition database shown in FIG.

[0059] Factors that may affect passenger boarding and disembarking include age, whether the passenger has a physical disability, whether the passenger has difficulty understanding Japanese, etc., as shown in Figure 15.

[0060] If there is such a passenger, the assistant driver taps the relevant portion of the display unit 21 of the information terminal 20 to transmit the information to the information management unit 30 as data 22, as shown in FIG.

[0061] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, if there are elderly people, tap on the elderly person portion on the display unit 21 of the information terminal 20, and then tap on the plus or minus number of people to the right of it to adjust and input the number.

[0062] Similarly, if there are people with disabilities, tap on the "Disabilities" section on the display 21 of the information terminal 20, and then tap on the plus or minus sign to the right of the number to adjust and enter the number.

[0063] Similarly, if there is someone who has difficulty understanding Japanese, tap on the "Difficulty with Japanese" section on the display unit 21 of the information terminal 20, and then tap on the plus or minus number to the right to adjust and enter the number.

[0064] The information management unit 30, which receives these data 22, automatically generates an updated schedule proposal 41 in the updated schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 34 described below while referring to the passenger attribute database shown in Figure 15, and transmits the updated schedule proposal 41 to the information terminal 20 as shown in Figure 12.

[0065] (Information terminal 20) The information terminal 20 is a terminal capable of wireless communication with the information management unit 30 and the autonomous driving vehicle 10, and includes a display unit 21 as shown in Fig. 4. The display unit 21 is a display that displays the schedule 40 and the like, and also serves as an interface for the driving assistant to send the various data 22 described above to the information management unit 30.

[0066] (Display section 21) As described above, the display unit 21 is a display that displays the schedule 40 and the like, and also serves as an interface for the operation assistant to send the various data 22 described above to the information management unit 30.

[0067] (Data 22) All transmission history of data 22 to the information management unit 30 is used as the work history of the operation assistant. This eliminates the need to take the trouble of periodically acquiring a separate work log. Data 22 includes road conditions that affect congestion as described above, such as road closures and lane restrictions, parked vehicles on the road, and passenger attributes such as age, physical disabilities, and difficulty in understanding Japanese. In addition, the adoption / rejection history of the updated schedule proposal 41 adopted or rejected by the operation assistant is also handled as data 22 by the information management unit 30.

[0068] Other data 22 include images and videos taken by an assistant driver of the autonomous vehicle 10 and its surroundings when an accident, breakdown, or other problem occurs with the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0069] When the operation assistant transmits data 22 to the information management unit 30, the information management unit 30 determines that the operation assistant is on duty. The operation assistant determines whether or not there is a possibility of a delay in operation and sequentially transmits data 22 from the information terminal 20 to the information management unit 30, so that the information management unit 30 can grasp and manage the operation status in real time.

[0070] (Information Management Department 30) 5, the information management unit 30 includes a communication unit 31, an operation control unit 32 (system control unit), an information storage unit 33, and an updated schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 34. The information management unit 30 is basically operated by the operation manager, but in cases where the operation manager's judgment is not necessarily required (for example, recovery driving by increasing the speed within the speed limit range), the information management unit 30 can be configured to directly transmit a command to the autonomously driven vehicle 10.

[0071] Information management unit 30 constantly exchanges GPS signals with autonomous vehicle 10 and information terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 10, only when the position information based on the GPS signals of autonomous vehicle 10 and information terminal 20 matches or is in the vicinity (information terminal 20 is located near autonomous vehicle 10), information management unit 30 determines that a driving assistant is on duty, and further issues permission for autonomous vehicle 10 to operate.

[0072] (Communications Department 31) The communication unit 31 performs wireless and wired communication for requesting the dispatch of the information terminal 20 and the autonomously driven vehicle 10, as well as other emergency vehicles. The communication unit 31 also transmits an update schedule 42, which will be described later, to bus stops.

[0073] (Operation Control Unit 32) The operation control unit 32 (system control unit) calculates the time required for autonomous vehicle 10 to operate while also referring to the passenger attribute database and road condition database in the information storage unit 33. Based on this, the information management unit 30 as a whole controls autonomous vehicle 10 so that autonomous vehicle 10 can depart and arrive at each stop according to a predetermined schedule 40 as a route bus. The operation of autonomous vehicle 10 is controlled by commands predetermined by the information management unit 30 as remote operations, commands sent by the information management unit 30 in real time, and commands input to autonomous vehicle 10 in advance.

[0074] (Information storage unit 33) As shown in Figs. 5, 15 and 16, the information storage unit 33 includes a passenger attribute database, a road condition database, an emergency vehicle database, a private company database, and the like.

[0075] These databases are pre-entered with information on passenger attributes and delay times (additional times) due to road conditions that affect operations, and the operation control unit 32 (system control unit) refers to these values ​​and automatically generates an updated schedule proposal 41 in the updated schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 34 described below.

[0076] These delay times (additional times) may be updated in real time for each operation, or may be corrected by the operation manager via the input / output interface of the information management unit 30.

[0077] (Update schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 34) The updated schedule proposal generating and transmitting unit 34 refers to various databases in the information storage unit 33 and automatically generates an updated schedule proposal 41 based on the attributes of passengers that affect operation and delay times (additional times) due to road conditions.

[0078] 12, the information management unit 30 transmits the update schedule proposal 41 to the information terminal 20 via the communication unit 31. When the update schedule proposal 41, which is a proposal for updating the schedule 40, is transmitted from the information management unit 30 to the information terminal 20, the operation assistant determines whether to adopt or not adopt the update schedule proposal 41 and transmits it to the information management unit 30 via the information terminal 20.

[0079] If the updated schedule proposal 41 is adopted by the operation assistant, it becomes a history of whether it is adopted or not, and is made into an updated schedule 42 by the information management unit 30, which is displayed on the display unit 21 of the information terminal 20, as well as on the vehicle display 11 as shown in Figure 13, and also at bus stops as shown in Figure 14.

[0080] When an accident or malfunction, including a breakdown, occurs in the autonomously driven vehicle 10, the information management unit 30 processes information including requests for the dispatch of emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire engines, and ambulances.

[0081] Other information processing includes contacting insurance companies and the company that operates the autonomous vehicle 10, issuing commands to stop the autonomous vehicle 10, and cutting off the power supply.

[0082] (Schedule 40) The schedule 40 refers to the times when the autonomous vehicle 10 should depart and arrive at each stop. The autonomous vehicle 10 operates in accordance with the schedule 40.

[0083] (Update Schedule Proposal 41) The updated schedule proposal 41 is calculated by the updated schedule proposal generating and transmitting unit 34 of the information management unit 30 based on various factors that affect operation and that are received as data from the information terminal 20 .

[0084] The calculated updated schedule proposal 41 is transmitted from the information management unit 30 to the information terminal 20. The updated schedule proposal 41 adopted by the operation assistant through the information terminal 20 becomes an updated schedule 42.

[0085] (Update Schedule 42) When the proposed update schedule 41 becomes the updated schedule 42, as shown in FIG. 12, the information management unit 30 causes the updated schedule 42 to be displayed on the vehicle display 11, the information terminal 20, and at bus stops.

[0086] The effects of this embodiment will be described. The autonomous vehicle monitoring system of the present disclosure comprises: [1] The system comprises an autonomous vehicle 10 that operates as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule 40, an information terminal 20 that transmits data 22 including congestion conditions as information that affects operation by an assistant driver who is on board the autonomous vehicle 10 and does not drive the autonomous vehicle 10, and an information management unit 30 that receives the data 22 and performs information processing including issuing instructions to the autonomous vehicle 10 to recover from a deviation in operation from the schedule 40 or when a deviation has occurred or there is a risk of a deviation from the schedule 40, and the information management unit 30 determines that the assistant driver is on duty based on the transmission history of the data 22.

[0087] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate an autonomous vehicle 10 appropriately, and by using the transmission history of data 22 related to operation as a work history, it is possible to manage the work of driving assistants without having to periodically obtain work history.

[0088] [2] In the above [1], the information management unit 30 judges whether the autonomous vehicle 10 can operate according to schedule 40 by performing recovery driving after receiving data 22 that affects operation, and the information management unit 30 is equipped with an update schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 34 that automatically generates an update schedule proposal 41 and transmits it to the information terminal 20 when it determines that the autonomous vehicle 10 cannot operate according to schedule 40, and the data 22 includes an adoption / rejection history transmitted from the information terminal 20 to the information management unit 30 by the operation assistant as to whether the update schedule proposal 41 is adopted or not.

[0089] According to the present disclosure, when the information management unit 30 periodically obtains work and boarding history, if an updated schedule proposal 41 is automatically generated, work can be managed using the history of whether it is adopted or not.

[0090] [3] In the case of [1] or [2] above, the data 22 includes at least one of images and videos taken by an assistant driver using an information terminal 20 of the autonomous vehicle 10 and at least one of its surroundings when the autonomous vehicle 10 experiences a malfunction, including a breakdown or accident.

[0091] According to the present disclosure, even when the driving assistant is not necessarily on board the autonomously driven vehicle 10, the transmission history of images and videos of breakdowns and accidents can be used as work history.

[0092] [4] In the above items [1] to [3], the information terminal 20 can transmit location information of the information terminal 20 based on a GPS signal to the information management unit 30 as part of the data 22, and the autonomous vehicle 10 can transmit location information of the autonomous vehicle 10 based on a GPS signal to the information management unit 30. Only when the information management unit 30 determines that the information terminal 20 is mounted on the autonomous vehicle 10 or that the information terminal 20 is in the vicinity of the autonomous vehicle 10 based on the location information of the information terminal 20 and the autonomous vehicle 10, does the information management unit 30 determine that the driving assistant is on duty based on the transmission history of the data 22.

[0093] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to objectively determine whether a driving assistant is on board the autonomous vehicle 10 or in the vicinity of the autonomous vehicle 10, thereby ensuring thorough work management.

[0094] [5] In the above [4], the information management unit 30 will only permit operation when the information management unit 30 determines that the information terminal 20 is installed in the autonomous vehicle 10 based on the position information of the information terminal 20 and the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0095] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure not only the work schedule of driving assistants but also the smooth operation of the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0096] [6] In the above items [1] to [5], data 22 includes whether or not there are lane restrictions on the route of travel.

[0097] According to the present disclosure, even lane restrictions that are not road closures or the like can affect operation, so by sequentially transmitting the presence or absence of lane restrictions to the information management unit 30, the autonomous vehicle 10 can be operated appropriately, and the transmission history of that data 22 can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0098] [7] In the above items [1] to [6], data 22 includes the presence or absence of parked vehicles on the route of operation.

[0099] According to the present disclosure, since vehicles parked on the street also affect operation, by sequentially transmitting the presence or absence of parked vehicles on the street to the information management unit 30, the autonomous vehicle 10 can be operated appropriately, and the history can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0100] [8] In [1] to [7] above, data 22 includes passenger attributes and number of passengers that may affect boarding and disembarking from autonomous vehicle 10.

[0101] According to the present disclosure, since the operation is affected if it takes a long time for passengers to board and disembark, the attributes and number of passengers that may affect the operation can be sequentially transmitted to the information management unit 30 to enable the autonomous vehicle 10 to be operated appropriately, and the transmission history of that data 22 can be used to manage the work of driving assistants.

[0102] [9] In the above items [1] to [8], it is preferred that data 22 includes the passenger's age.

[0103] According to the present disclosure, if a passenger is elderly, it may take a long time for them to board and disembark, which may affect operations. Therefore, by sequentially transmitting information about whether or not an elderly person is on board to the information management unit 30, the autonomous vehicle 10 can be operated appropriately, and work management can be performed using the transmission history of that data.

[0104]

[10] In [1] to [9] above, data 22 includes the language(s) used by passengers.

[0105] According to the present disclosure, if passengers are foreign nationals, it may take a long time for them to board and disembark, which may affect operations. Therefore, by sequentially transmitting information about whether the passenger's language is Japanese or not to the information management unit 30, the autonomous vehicle 10 can be operated appropriately and work management can be performed using the history.

[0106]

[11] In the above items [1] to

[10] , the information processing includes a request for the dispatch of an emergency vehicle when an accident or malfunction, including a breakdown, occurs in the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0107] According to the present disclosure, rapid response can be made in the event of an emergency, and operation can be brought as close to optimal as possible.

[0108]

[12] In the cases of [1] to

[11] above, information processing includes contacting the insurance company.

[0109] According to the present disclosure, procedures associated with emergencies can be quickly and flexibly responded to.

[0110]

[13] In the above [1] or

[12] , the data 22 includes comments that the driving assistant wants to display on the vehicle display 11 of the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0111] According to the present disclosure, the history of comments that an operation assistant sends to passengers to the information management unit 30 can be considered work history, regardless of whether the information management unit 30 adopts or rejects the comments.

[0112] The autonomous vehicle operation device disclosed herein is

[14] The system comprises an information terminal 20 in which an assistant driver who is on board an autonomous vehicle 10 and does not drive the autonomous vehicle 10 and who operates as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule transmits data 22 including congestion information that affects operation, and an information management unit 30 that receives the data 22 and performs information processing including issuing instructions to the autonomous vehicle 10 to recover from a deviation in operation from the schedule 40 when there is a risk of a deviation or when a deviation has occurred, and the information management unit determines that the assistant driver is on duty based on the transmission history of the data 22.

[0113] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate an autonomous vehicle 10 appropriately, and by using the transmission history of data 22 related to operation as a work history, it is possible to manage the work of driving assistants without having to periodically obtain work history.

[0114] It should be noted that the above is merely one embodiment, and the present invention can be embodied in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1. Autonomous vehicle operation system 10 Self-driving vehicles 11 Vehicle Display 20 Information terminal 21 Display section 22 Data 30 Information Management Department 31 Communications Department 32 Operation Control Unit 33 Information storage section 34 Update schedule proposal generation and transmission unit 40 Schedule 41 Proposed update schedule 42 Update Schedule

Claims

1. Autonomous vehicles that operate as route buses on a pre-determined schedule, an information terminal for transmitting data including a congestion state as information affecting the operation of the autonomous vehicle by an assistant driver who is on board the autonomous vehicle and does not drive the autonomous vehicle; an information management unit that receives the data and performs information processing including issuing an instruction to the autonomous vehicle to perform recovery driving when there is a risk of a deviation in the operation from the schedule or when a deviation occurs; Equipped with The information management unit determines that the operation assistant is working based on the data transmission history. Autonomous vehicle operation system.

2. The information management unit determines whether the autonomous vehicle can operate according to the schedule by performing the recovery operation after receiving the data that affects the operation, the information management unit includes an update schedule proposal generation and transmission unit that automatically generates an update schedule proposal and transmits the update schedule proposal to the information terminal when it is determined that the autonomously driven vehicle cannot be operated according to the schedule; The data includes an adoption / rejection history of the operation assistant transmitting the updated schedule proposal from the information terminal to the information management unit as adoption or non-adoption, The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 1 .

3. The data includes at least one of an image and a video taken by a driving assistant using the information terminal of at least one of the autonomous vehicle and its surroundings when a malfunction including a breakdown or an accident occurs in the autonomous vehicle, The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the information terminal can transmit location information of the information terminal based on a GPS signal to the information management unit as part of the data; The autonomous vehicle can transmit location information of the autonomous vehicle based on a GPS signal to the information management unit, Only when the information management unit determines that the information terminal is mounted on the autonomous vehicle or that the information terminal is in the vicinity of the autonomous vehicle based on the position information of the information terminal and the autonomous vehicle, the information management unit determines that the driving assistant is working based on the transmission history of the data. The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 3 .

5. The information management unit permits the operation only when the information management unit determines that the information terminal is installed in the autonomous vehicle based on position information of the information terminal and the autonomous vehicle. The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 4.

6. The data includes presence or absence of lane restrictions on the route of the trip, The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The data includes the presence or absence of parked vehicles on the route of the operation. The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The data includes passenger attributes and numbers that may affect boarding and disembarking from the automated driving vehicle; The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The data includes the passenger's age; The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 8.

10. The data includes the passenger's language; The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 8.

11. The information processing includes a request for an emergency vehicle to be dispatched when an accident or malfunction including a breakdown occurs in the autonomous vehicle, The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The information processing includes contacting insurance companies. The automated vehicle operation system according to claim 11.

13. The data includes comments that the driving assistant wants to display on the vehicle display of the autonomous vehicle. The automated driving vehicle operation system according to claim 1 or 2.

14. an information terminal for transmitting data including congestion status as information that may affect operation of an autonomous vehicle operated as a route bus according to a predetermined schedule by an assistant driver who does not drive the autonomous vehicle and boards the autonomous vehicle; an information management unit that receives the data and performs information processing including issuing an instruction to the autonomous vehicle to perform recovery driving when there is a risk of a deviation in the operation from the schedule or when a deviation occurs; Equipped with The information management unit determines that the operation assistant is working based on the data transmission history. Autonomous vehicle operation device.

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