Autonomous Vehicle HMI Termination for Minimal Risk Maneuvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous driving systems lack clear guidelines on when and how to terminate human-machine interface (HMI) functions during minimal risk maneuvers, particularly in situations where autonomous driving is no longer feasible due to faults or malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The system provides separate termination processes for internal and external HMI functions, including auditory alerts, seat belt haptic feedback, and pop-up displays, with escalating notification intensity if the driver does not take control within a predetermined time, and automatically initiates minimal risk maneuvers based on fault detection or information acquisition failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the system provides separate termination processes for internal and external HMI functions with escalating notification intensity, then the driver takeover capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver takeover capabilityVSAvoidHMI termination process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The HMI termination process is segmented into separate internal and external functions with distinct termination criteria. Internal HMI (driver-facing notifications) terminates when the driver takes control, while external HMI (surrounding vehicle notifications) terminates when the minimal risk maneuver is completed. This segmentation resolves the complexity by creating independent, manageable termination processes for each HMI type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification intensity dynamically escalates through multiple stages (first notification, second notification with stronger intensity) if the driver does not take control within predetermined time. This dynamic adjustment optimizes driver response while maintaining a structured, manageable notification system that adapts to driver behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the system provides multiple notification channels with escalating intensity, then the notification effectiveness to driver is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic notifications with escalating intensity rather than continuous maximum-intensity notifications. The first notification is provided initially, then a second notification with stronger intensity is provided after a predetermined time elapses. This periodic approach maintains effective driver communication while reducing overall energy consumption compared to sustained high-intensity notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the system automatically clears indications and alerts when minimal risk maneuver is terminated, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem automation levelVSAvoidnotification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback-based termination detection to determine when the minimal risk maneuver has been successfully completed. The processor continuously monitors vehicle state and maneuver progress, automatically clearing indications and alerts only when termination criteria are met. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable, accurate notification management while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4461615B1Vehicle for performing minimal risk maneuver and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4461615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461615B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4461615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various embodiments relate to a vehicle for performing minimum risk maneuvers and a method of operating the same. An autonomous driving vehicle includes at least one sensor configured to detect surrounding environment of the vehicle to generate surrounding environmental information, a processor configured to monitor the status of the vehicle to generate vehicle state information and control autonomous driving of the vehicle, and a controller configured to control the operation of the vehicle under the control of the processor.