Autonomous Driving Control System for Smooth Driver Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

When autonomous driving is maintained for a long period, drivers may struggle to quickly transition to manual driving due to inadequate timely requests for termination, leading to driver frustration.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control system that progressively notifies drivers to prepare for manual driving and then request termination of autonomous driving, using a combination of sensors and notification devices like displays, speakers, and vibrators, to ensure a smooth transition by setting notification intervals based on the vehicle's location, driving conditions, and driver state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If termination of autonomous driving is requested continuously from considerably before the vehicle reaches the point where manual driving should start, then the driver can quickly terminate autonomous driving, but the driver may feel bothered

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveResponse speed of driver to terminate autonomous drivingVSAvoidDriver frustration or annoyance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by notifying the driver in advance before autonomous driving termination is required. The notification is timed to arrive before the vehicle reaches the point where manual driving should start, giving the driver sufficient time to prepare and respond without feeling rushed or surprised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification timing is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts when to notify the driver based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed, distance to the termination point, and driver state, optimizing the balance between providing sufficient notice and avoiding excessive or annoying notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If autonomous driving is maintained for a long period without timely termination requests, then the driver experience is smooth, but the driver may be unable to quickly transition to manual driving when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSmoothness of autonomous driving experienceVSAvoidTime for driver to respond and take control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring driver state and adjusting notification timing accordingly. The notification device provides feedback to the driver about upcoming termination points, and the system adapts based on driver responses and current driving conditions to optimize the transition timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3284646B1Control system for and control method of autonomous driving vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.09.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

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AI summary

A control system for an autonomous driving vehicle comprises an operation device configured to be operated by a driver; a notification device configured to give notification to the driver; and an electronic control unit. Autonomous driving is performed. When the driver operates the operation device during autonomous driving, autonomous driving is terminated and vehicle driving is switched to manual driving. Further, when the driver should be requested to terminate autonomous driving during autonomous driving, the notification device is controlled to first notify a request for preparing for manual driving to the driver and then notify a request for terminating autonomous driving to the driver.