Autonomous Vehicle Mode Transition with Manual Input Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle control systems lack a seamless and safe transition mechanism between manual and autonomous modes, often leading to interference from manual inputs during autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A control system with switch interface logic and vehicle autonomy control logic that enables a transitional state where manual interactions are ignored, allowing drivers to switch to autonomous mode with a continuous action and disengage autonomously using designated inputs like brake taps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle control system allows manual control input during autonomous operation, then the driver can take over control quickly, but manual inputs may interfere with autonomous operation and cause safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the operational states into distinct modes (manual, autonomous, and transitional) with clearly defined boundaries. The transitional state acts as an intermediate segment that allows the system to move between manual and autonomous modes without direct interference, resolving the contradiction by creating a structured transition pathway that maintains safety while enabling driver takeover.
Solution Approach 2:
The transitional state serves as an intermediary mechanism between manual and autonomous modes. During this intermediate state, the system temporarily ignores manual control inputs while maintaining autonomous operation, allowing the driver to perform deliberate actions (like continuous button presses) to initiate mode changes without causing unintended interference. This mediator resolves the contradiction by filtering out spurious inputs while preserving intentional driver commands.
2Productivity
If the vehicle switches directly between manual and autonomous modes, then the transition is quick and simple, but unintended manual inputs may cause accidental mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the driver to perform a preliminary action (continuous button press or actuation of a switching mechanism) before the mode transition occurs. This preliminary action serves as a deliberate intent signal that distinguishes intentional mode changes from accidental inputs. The system maintains the transitional state until the preliminary action is completed, ensuring accuracy while enabling quick transitions once the driver's intent is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts its response to manual inputs based on the current operational state. In the transitional state, the system dynamically ignores manual control inputs while still monitoring for switching mechanism actuation. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain safety during transitions while remaining responsive to deliberate driver commands, resolving the contradiction between transition speed and switching accuracy.
3Reliability
If the vehicle ignores manual control input during autonomous operation, then autonomous control is maintained, but the driver cannot quickly intervene when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the mode-switching function from the regular control input channels. Instead of allowing manual control inputs to directly affect autonomous operation, the system separates the switching mechanism (button presses or dedicated switching mechanisms) from the control inputs. This extraction allows the driver to intervene in mode selection without interfering with autonomous control during operation, resolving the contradiction by creating dedicated pathways for mode changes versus control commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The transitional state implements a preliminary anti-action by temporarily ignoring manual control inputs that would otherwise interfere with autonomous operation. This preemptive filtering of inputs protects the stability of autonomous operation while the system monitors for deliberate switching mechanism actuation. The preliminary anti-action resolves the contradiction by blocking harmful inputs while preserving the ability to initiate mode changes through dedicated switching mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous-capable vehicle which can be operated in a transitional state from manual vehicle operation to autonomous vehicle operation. In the transitional state, the vehicle operates autonomously and overrides manual interaction of the user. To maintain the transitional state, the driver performs a continuous action, such as providing a continuous interaction with a switching mechanism.