Autonomous Driving Control Using Peripheral Vehicle Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous driving control based on driver operation history may not account for varying driving skills and can lead to unstable driving, especially when encountering unfamiliar drivers, potentially causing traffic congestion.

Innovation Solution

A mobile object controller that acquires and stores peripheral data on the traveling state of nearby objects, using this data to specify a control method for the target object, ensuring proper travel even when the driver is not experienced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If autonomous driving control is performed based on driver operation history information, then the driving control matches the driver's driving sense, but stable driving cannot be achieved when the driver is not used to driving

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to driver's driving senseVSAvoidStability of driving

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges driver operation history information with peripheral object traveling state data to create a composite control basis. The control specifying unit combines both data sources to determine control methods, allowing the system to adapt to driver preferences while maintaining stability through objective peripheral data when driver history is insufficient or inappropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral object traveling state data serves as an intermediary reference when driver operation history is inadequate. The system uses peripheral data as a mediator to determine appropriate control methods in cases where driver-specific history cannot provide reliable guidance, such as when the driver is not accustomed to autonomous driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If autonomous driving control is performed based on driver operation history information, then it matches the driving sense of the driver, but traffic congestion may be caused due to driving detached from surrounding vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to driver's driving senseVSAvoidTraffic congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges driver operation history information with peripheral object traveling state data to create a composite control basis. The control specifying unit combines both data sources to determine control methods, allowing the system to adapt to driver preferences while maintaining stability through objective peripheral data when driver history is insufficient or inappropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously acquires peripheral object traveling state data and uses it as feedback to adjust control methods. This feedback mechanism ensures that autonomous driving control remains synchronized with surrounding traffic conditions, preventing detachment from the flow of traffic and avoiding congestion caused by erratic driving patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If driver operation history information is used for autonomous driving control, then the control matches the driver's driving sense, but proper traveling cannot be ensured when the driver is not used to driving

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to driver's driving senseVSAvoidProper traveling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral object traveling state data serves as an intermediary reference when driver operation history is inadequate. The system uses peripheral data as a mediator to determine appropriate control methods in cases where driver-specific history cannot provide reliable guidance, such as when the driver is not accustomed to autonomous driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily acquires and stores peripheral object traveling state data in advance, creating a database of reference traveling patterns. This preliminary action ensures that when autonomous driving control is needed and driver history is insufficient, pre-collected peripheral data is already available to guide proper traveling behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11347224B2System and method to control a target object based on a traveling state of a peripheral object

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A peripheral data acquisition unit obtains peripheral data indicating a traveling state of a peripheral object traveling around a target object. A data writing unit stores the obtained peripheral data in a history storage unit in association with the position of the target object at the time when the peripheral data is obtained. A control specifying unit specifies a control method of the target object on the basis of, among the peripheral data stored in the history storage unit, the peripheral data stored in association with a current position of the target object.