Adaptive Steering Wheel Hold Request for Automated Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems face difficulties in quickly switching from automated driving to manual driving due to the need for the driver to hold the steering wheel, especially during sudden changes in surroundings, as they rely on predetermined thresholds for contact detection which may not adapt promptly to driver circumstances.
Innovation Solution
A driving assistance device with a movement detecting unit, hold detecting unit, and hold requesting unit that monitors and adjusts the request to hold the steering wheel based on the driver's seat and steering wheel movements, posture, and holding duration, using a combination of sensors and a driver monitoring camera to ensure timely and appropriate requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system requires the driver to hold the steering wheel before switching from automated to manual driving, then safety is improved, but the switching time increases and responsiveness to sudden changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the contact threshold based on driver circumstances (seated vs. standing) rather than using a fixed threshold. This allows the system to adapt the safety requirements in real-time, enabling faster switching when the driver is already in position while maintaining safety when the driver needs to approach the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact threshold parameter is changed based on detected driver circumstances. When the driver is detected to be standing outside the vehicle, a lower threshold is applied, allowing the system to recognize contact sooner and enable faster mode switching while maintaining appropriate safety standards.
2Device complexity
If the system uses a fixed contact threshold for detecting steering wheel contact, then the detection rule is simple, but it cannot adapt to different driver circumstances and may cause delayed response
Solution Approach 1:
The contact threshold is made dynamic by adjusting it based on driver circumstances detected by the monitoring system. When the driver is seated, a higher threshold applies; when standing outside, a lower threshold applies. This dynamic adjustment maintains relatively simple detection logic while significantly improving adaptability to different operational scenarios.
3Speed
If the system immediately requests the driver to hold the steering wheel upon detecting attitude changing movement, then the response speed is improved, but false requests may occur during driver adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of driver circumstances (seated or standing) before initiating contact detection. This preliminary action allows the system to set appropriate thresholds in advance, reducing false requests during legitimate driver adjustments while maintaining fast response when actual contact occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors both attitude changing movements and contact status, using feedback from both sensors to determine when to request steering wheel contact. This dual-feedback mechanism distinguishes between genuine contact events requiring driver attention and normal driver adjustments, improving request accuracy while maintaining responsive behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
The driving assistance device includes a movement detecting unit detecting an attitude changing movement for changing the attitude of a driver seat or a steering wheel of a vehicle capable of traveling in an automated driving mode in which a driver need not perform driving operations during traveling, a hold detecting unit detecting whether or not the steering wheel is held by the driver, and a hold requesting unit starting a holding request asking the driver to hold the steering wheel if the movement detecting unit has detected the attitude changing movement in the automated driving mode and if the hold detecting unit has not detected hold of the steering wheel.