Autonomous Vehicle Mode Switching with Dual Remote Command Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in securely transitioning between driving modes, particularly when receiving remote control signals, as existing systems lack robust validation mechanisms to ensure safety and authenticity of commands, potentially leading to unsafe operations in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-validation system that verifies the source, type, and context of remote control requests before executing mode changes, ensuring the vehicle is in a suitable state and location, using cryptographic validation and machine learning models to assess the validity of requests and prevent unsafe operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote control signals are accepted without robust validation, then the vehicle can respond quickly to changing conditions, but the system becomes vulnerable to unauthorized or unsafe commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary validation of remote control signals by verifying cryptographic signatures and checking contextual conditions before executing mode transitions. This preliminary action ensures that only authenticated and contextually appropriate commands are processed, preventing unauthorized or unsafe operations while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer that mediates between received remote control signals and the vehicle's control system. This intermediary component performs cryptographic verification and contextual checking, acting as a security buffer that prevents direct execution of potentially harmful commands while allowing legitimate operations to proceed
2Reliability
If multiple validation checks are performed on remote control requests, then the security against unauthorized commands is improved, but the time to process and execute mode changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cryptographic signature verification on incoming commands before detailed processing. This preliminary check quickly filters out unauthorized commands, preventing waste of time on invalid operations while ensuring authentic commands proceed to contextual validation
Solution Approach 2:
The validation system provides feedback on command authenticity and contextual appropriateness, allowing the control system to make informed decisions about command execution. This feedback mechanism enables efficient processing by clearly indicating which commands should be executed and which should be rejected, reducing unnecessary processing time
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle accepts stop commands from remote operators, then assistance in hazardous conditions is provided, but the vehicle may be stopped in undesirable areas causing danger or disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality validation by checking the specific contextual conditions at the vehicle's current location before executing stop commands. The system evaluates local factors such as intersection status, traffic flow, and environmental hazards to determine whether stopping is appropriate, allowing remote assistance while preventing dangerous stopping locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the remote operator about the contextual appropriateness of stop commands, indicating whether the vehicle is in a suitable location for stopping. This feedback loop allows the remote operator to make informed decisions, adjusting commands based on real-time contextual information to avoid harmful stopping locations
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for engaging and disengaging a vehicle from an autonomous operation mode are described. The techniques include receiving a request to engage or disengage the autonomous mode at a teleoperations system. The request is validated at the teleoperations system using a first set of conditions describing trust in the request and validity of the request. The request is then sent, if valid, to the vehicle where a second validation is performed using a second set of conditions describing the conditions or states of the vehicle. If the second conditions are valid then the request is performed and the vehicle engages or disengages from autonomous mode.