Autonomous Driving Controller Minimum Risk Maneuver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles at Level 3 and higher face challenges in predicting and responding to critical situations where human intervention is required, such as system failures or severe breakdowns, necessitating a method to safely transition control and minimize risks like collisions or vehicle stoppages.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an autonomous driving device and driving controller that performs a minimum risk maneuver (MRM) by generating a transition demand, applying deceleration patterns based on the driving environment, and executing subsequent safety ensuring functions like hazard light operation, rear-view monitoring, and advanced emergency accelerating to ensure driver recognition and vehicle safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the autonomous driving system operates at Level 3 or higher, then the driver can perform other tasks or depart from the driver's seat, but the system cannot respond appropriately to critical situations where human intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting critical situations before they escalate and executing Minimum Risk Maneuvers in advance. The autonomous driving device continuously monitors system status and prepares MRM sequences (deceleration, lane changes, stopping) beforehand, so when a critical situation occurs, the system can immediately respond without requiring driver intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous driving system serves itself by autonomously detecting critical situations and executing MRM sequences without external help. The driving controller independently processes sensor data, determines critical conditions, and implements safety maneuvers, making the system self-sufficient in handling its own failures or critical states.
2Reliability
If the vehicle performs rapid deceleration or complete stopping in critical situations, then safety is improved, but it may cause harmful effects to surrounding traffic or pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The MRM sequence applies different deceleration characteristics to different spatial and temporal contexts. The system adjusts deceleration rate, duration, and timing based on local conditions such as presence of pedestrians, following vehicles, and road conditions. This localized adaptation ensures safety while minimizing harmful effects on surrounding traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system cushions against potential harmful effects by implementing gradual deceleration sequences and advance warning signals before complete stopping. The MRM includes intermediate steps like reducing speed gradually, activating hazard lights, and maintaining position in lane to cushion the impact on surrounding traffic, preventing sudden dangerous movements.
3Ease of operation
If the system requests driver control transition, then the driver should take over, but when there is no driver response, the critical situation cannot be resolved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting lack of driver response after control transition requests and automatically executing MRM sequences. Instead of waiting indefinitely for driver action, the system proactively determines when the driver has not responded and initiates autonomous safety maneuvers, ensuring critical situations are resolved even without driver participation.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous driving system acts as an intermediary between the critical situation and the final safety outcome when the driver does not respond. The system bridges the gap by autonomously interpreting the critical condition, determining appropriate MRM sequences, and executing them without direct driver input, ensuring safety while respecting the driver's lack of response.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of performing autonomous driving is provided. The apparatus includes an autonomous driving device that executes the autonomous driving and generates a transition demand when it is impossible to execute the autonomous driving. A driving controller performs a minimum risk maneuver (MRM) of applying a deceleration pattern differently depending on a driving environment of the vehicle, when the transition demand is generated, but when driving manipulation by a driver does not occur. A subsequent safety ensuring function is performed according to the MRM for the driver to recognize the MRM, and a drive mode of the vehicle is changed to a drive mode with a rapid response speed to acceleration or steering.