Autonomous Driving Mode Transition With Driver Readiness Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous driving systems face challenges in safely transitioning between different driving modes, particularly from level 2 to level 3, which can increase the driver's workload unexpectedly, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that allows for safe mode transitions by considering user input, environmental conditions, and system readiness, using a processor to manage mode changes based on predefined requirements and thresholds, ensuring the driver's workload is not unexpectedly increased.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the autonomous driving mode is changed from level 2 to level 3, then the automation level is improved, but the driver's workload increases unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the driver in advance before mode transition and verifying that driving tasks are completed. This allows the system to prepare for the mode change by ensuring the driver is ready, thus preventing unexpected workload increases while enabling automation level improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor whether the driver has completed required driving tasks before allowing mode transition. This feedback loop ensures that the driver is properly engaged and ready for the new automation level, resolving the contradiction between increasing automation and maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the autonomous driving mode is changed automatically, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of driving task completion and sends notifications to the driver before executing automatic mode changes. This preliminary action ensures safety conditions are met, allowing automatic transitions to proceed reliably without compromising driving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a notification period as a cushioning mechanism before the actual mode transition occurs. This time buffer allows the driver to prepare and ensures all safety conditions are verified, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling efficient automatic transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driver's driving tasks are increased during mode transition, then the adaptability is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to potential safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the driver to complete specific driving tasks as a preliminary action before mode transition is allowed. This ensures the driver has the necessary readiness and capability to handle the increased adaptability requirements, thereby preventing safety risks from arising.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by blocking mode transition until driving tasks are verified as completed. This prevents the harmful effect of unsafe mode changes by counteracting the tendency to allow transitions before proper driver readiness is confirmed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of a vehicle may include: an input interface, a processor, and a memory storing at least one instruction. The at least one instruction may be configured, when executed by the processor communicating with the memory, to cause the apparatus to: change, based on the input interface receiving a user request within a threshold time duration and based on a manual mode change requirement being satisfied, an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle from a first mode to a second mode; change, based on the input interface receiving no user request within the threshold time duration, and based on the manual mode change requirement and an automatic mode change requirement being satisfied, the autonomous driving mode from the first mode to the second mode; and control the vehicle to perform an autonomous driving operation of the second mode.