Audible Vehicle Indication for Autonomous Motion Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack effective methods to communicate their operational status and planned actions to operators and passengers in a clear and efficient manner, potentially leading to reduced assurance and understanding of the vehicle's autonomous operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a computer-implemented method and system that uses audible vehicle indications, generated by onboard computing systems, to convey information about perceived objects and planned vehicle motions through specific tones, volumes, and output device positioning within the vehicle, allowing for real-time communication of the vehicle's autonomy system actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual interfaces are used to communicate autonomous vehicle operations, then information can be displayed, but operator and passenger understanding and assurance are reduced due to lack of clear communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display interfaces with an acoustic communication system that uses audible vehicle indications to convey autonomous vehicle operations. The computing system generates audible signals that communicate object detections, planned motions, and system status through sound rather than visual displays, making the information more accessible and understandable to operators and passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces audible vehicle indications as an intermediary communication medium between the autonomous vehicle's computing system and the operators/passengers. This intermediary translates complex sensor data and system decisions into comprehensible audible signals that enhance understanding without requiring direct interaction with complex visual interfaces.
2Measurement precision
If multiple output devices are used to provide spatial auditory feedback, then location information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication task across multiple output devices positioned at different locations within the vehicle. Each output device provides spatially distributed auditory feedback corresponding to specific directions or zones, allowing operators to determine object locations and vehicle intentions based on the spatial distribution of sounds rather than a single centralized display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the communication by positioning output devices throughout the vehicle interior. Instead of providing flat, two-dimensional visual information, the system uses three-dimensional spatial audio distribution to convey directional information about objects and planned motions, enhancing location indication accuracy through spatial perception.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for communicating autonomous vehicle operations are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes identifying an object within the surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle or a planned vehicle motion action of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining an audible vehicle indication that is associated with the identified object or the planned vehicle motion action. The audible vehicle indication is indicative of a type of the object or a type of the planned vehicle motion. The method includes outputting, via one or more output devices onboard the autonomous vehicle, the audible vehicle indication.