Automatic Driving Control Device for Surprise-Free Authority Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic driving vehicle technologies surprise drivers with announcement sounds when their awakening level is low, making it difficult for them to recognize the switch from automatic to manual driving.
Innovation Solution
An automatic driving control device that determines the optimal timing for transferring driving authority based on vehicle position, route, and occupant information, calculates the awakening level of occupants, and adjusts the vehicle state to gradually awaken the driver without surprise, using a combination of seat motion, acoustic, and air-conditioning controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If announcement sound is output when the awakening level of the driver is low, then the driver is surprised by the announcement sound, but the switching from automatic driving to manual driving cannot be recognized immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by changing vehicle state before outputting the announcement sound. Specifically, it changes acceleration, steering angle, or seat position to gradually awaken the driver. This preliminary action ensures the driver is already alert before hearing the announcement, preventing surprise while ensuring immediate recognition of the switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The awakening process is segmented into multiple stages: first changing vehicle state parameters (acceleration, steering, seat position), then outputting announcement sound, and finally completing the switching. This segmentation allows the driver to be gradually awakened rather than abruptly surprised, improving recognition while reducing harmful surprise effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle state is changed to awaken the driver before announcement, then the driver is awakened without surprise, but additional control actions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system performs multiple functions using existing components. The same control system that manages acceleration, steering, and seat position during normal operation is reused to awaken the driver. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding dedicated awakening hardware, reducing overall system complexity while still achieving the goal of surprise-free driver awakening.
Data Source
AI summary
Included are: a timing determining unit for determining timing for preparing for transfer of driving authority to a driver on the basis of current position information of the vehicle, route information of the vehicle, and vehicle information of the vehicle; an awakening level calculating unit for calculating an awakening level of an occupant on the basis of occupant information; an authority transfer determining unit for determining whether the transfer of the driving authority is allowed on the basis of the calculated awakening level; and a vehicle state controlling unit for performing control to change a state of the vehicle before switching to the manual driving is announced to the occupant of the vehicle when it is determined that the transfer of the driving authority is not allowed.