Automated Driving Control Apparatus Occupant Detection Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated driving vehicles may inadvertently start when an infant or dementia patient is left inside the vehicle cabin, due to erroneous external operation, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus equipped with a receiving unit for external start signals, a person determining unit using sensors like thermosensors or cameras to detect occupants, and a control unit that prevents automated driving from initiating if anyone is present inside the vehicle cabin, ensuring only authorized and present individuals can start the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated driving is started based on external start signal, then convenience and ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent starting when vulnerable persons are left inside
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of persons inside the vehicle cabin before allowing automated driving to start. The person determining unit checks whether any person is present in the vehicle cabin before the control unit permits automated driving initiation, preventing inadvertent starting when vulnerable persons are left inside.
Solution Approach 2:
The person determining unit acts as an intermediary between the receiving unit (which receives external start signals) and the control unit (which executes automated driving). This intermediary layer verifies the safety condition by determining whether a person is present in the vehicle cabin before allowing the start command to proceed.
2Productivity
If external start signal is accepted, then productivity and efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous operation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification through the person determining unit before executing the automated driving start command. This preliminary check ensures that only appropriate start conditions are accepted, preventing erroneous operations while maintaining efficient productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle cabin occupancy status and using this information to control whether automated driving can be started. The control unit receives feedback from the person determining unit about person presence and adjusts the start permission accordingly, ensuring reliable operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents automated driving from starting when an infant or vulnerable individual is inside the vehicle cabin, ensuring safe operation by requiring intentional and authorized operation from a capable person inside the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the person determining unit uses sensors like thermosensors or cameras to detect occupants
Implementation Method 2
the person determining unit uses sensors like thermosensors or cameras to detect occupants
Data Source
AI summary
In a control apparatus for an automated driving vehicle, a receiving unit receives an external start signal that is a signal for starting automated driving in the automated driving vehicle and is transmitted from outside the automated driving vehicle. A control unit performs processes required for automated driving. A person determining unit determines whether a person is present inside a vehicle cabin of the automated driving vehicle. An operating unit is provided inside the vehicle cabin and receives a single or a plurality of operations for starting automated driving in the automated driving vehicle. In response to the person determining unit determining that a person is present inside the vehicle cabin, the control unit does not start automated driving even when the receiving unit receives the external start signal and starts automated driving only when an operation on the operating unit is performed.