How to operate an autonomous vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating an autonomously driving vehicle (1), wherein the surrounding environment of the vehicle (1) and objects present in the surrounding environment are detected based on detection signals from an environmental sensor system (3). According to the present invention, the criticality of the situation behind the vehicle (1) detected based on the signals is intended to be classified according to the determined vehicle class of the following vehicle (2) and the detected distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2).

Claims

1. A method for operating an autonomously driving vehicle (1), wherein, based on detection signals from an environmental sensor system (3), the surrounding environment of the vehicle (1) and objects present in the surrounding environment are detected, The criticality of the situation behind the vehicle (1), detected based on the signal, is classified according to the determined vehicle class of the vehicle (2) following the vehicle (1), and the detected distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the vehicle (2). A method characterized by the following features.

2. The maximum permissible speed of the vehicle (1) for autonomous driving operation is determined according to the classified criticality. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. Minimum, intermediate, and maximum criticality levels are distinguished. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. The determination of the maximum allowable speed is carried out such that the maximum allowable speed corresponds to a predetermined maximum value when classified as the lowest criticality, and decreases as the criticality classification increases. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a passenger car, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a passenger car exceeds 30 meters, - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a motorcycle, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a motorcycle exceeds 50 meters, - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a truck, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a truck exceeds 50 meters, Regarding the situation behind the detected vehicle (1), the minimum criticality exists. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that...

6. - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a passenger car, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a passenger car is less than 15 meters, - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a motorcycle, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a motorcycle is less than 30 meters, - If it is determined that the following vehicle (2) is a truck, and that the distance (a) between the vehicle (1) and the following vehicle (2) detected as a truck is less than 30 meters, With respect to the detected rearward situation of the vehicle (1), the highest criticality exists. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that

7. If a clearing traffic jam is detected in front of the vehicle (1), the classification thresholds for the intermediate criticality and the maximum criticality are increased by a predetermined value. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that

8. Regarding the vehicle class of the following vehicle (2), passenger cars, motorcycles, and trucks are distinguished. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

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