Autonomous Vehicle Mode Transition Time Buffer Alert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transitioning between different operational modes in autonomous vehicles can be challenging due to concerns about reliable transfer of operational authority and ensuring smooth handover from autonomous to manual control, particularly in scenarios where the driving environment changes or requires increased human involvement.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a time buffer for continuing in an autonomous mode before switching to a manual mode, accompanied by a transition alert to the driver, which includes visual, auditory, or haptic cues, allowing for a controlled transition and ensuring safety by alerting the driver to take over when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle switches immediately from autonomous mode to manual mode upon detecting a transition event, then the response time is minimized, but the driver may not be adequately prepared leading to safety concerns and potential loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing advance warning to the driver before the actual mode transition occurs. A transition alert is displayed with a time buffer indicating when the handover will occur, allowing the driver to prepare mentally and physically for taking control, thus resolving the contradiction between fast response and safe transition
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the transition process adjustable and flexible. The time buffer duration can be modified based on driver response, and the alert can be updated in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance rapid response needs with driver preparation requirements
2Reliability
If the vehicle provides a long time buffer before switching modes, then the driver has ample time to prepare, but the overall responsiveness of the system to changing driving conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The time buffer is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be adjusted based on the urgency of the situation, driver response time, and environmental factors. This allows the system to provide sufficient preparation time when needed while maintaining rapid responsiveness when conditions require immediate action
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by monitoring driver response to the transition alert and adjusting the time buffer accordingly. If the driver shows readiness or if conditions permit, the buffer can be reduced, optimizing the balance between driver preparedness and system responsiveness
3Reliability
If the vehicle uses multiple alert modalities (visual, auditory, haptic), then driver awareness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alert system applies universality by using multiple modalities (visual, auditory, haptic) that can serve different functions and reach the driver through various sensory channels. This multi-functional approach improves driver awareness while the system can selectively activate only the necessary modalities based on the situation, managing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements relating to the transitioning of a vehicle between operational modes are described. The vehicle can transition between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The second operational mode has a greater degree of manual involvement than the first operational mode. For instance, the first operational mode can be an unmonitored autonomous operational mode, and the second operational mode can be a monitored autonomous operational mode or a manual operational mode. It can be determined whether an operational mode transition event has occurred while the vehicle is operating in the first operational mode. In response to determining that an operational mode transition event has occurred, a time buffer for continuing in the first operational mode before switching to the second operational mode can be determined. A transition alert can be presented within the vehicle. The transition alert can represent the determined time buffer.