Autonomous Vehicle Pull-Over Control Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle systems lack the capability for passengers to safely and efficiently initiate stops or parking during a trip, whether for comfort or emergency reasons, and do not allow for seamless trip interruptions or resumptions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a passenger-initiated system using a human-machine interface (HMI) that allows passengers to request stops or parking through physical actuators, voice control, or mobile devices, which communicates with the autonomous driving system to execute pull-over, stop, or resume sequences, including customer service call functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the autonomous vehicle system is fully automated with locked-out driving controls, then the automation level and safety are improved, but the passenger's ability to request stops or emergency interventions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated driving system as an intermediary between the passenger and vehicle controls. The system includes sensors, processors, and actuators that mediate passenger requests (via HMI interfaces) into appropriate driving actions, allowing locked-out physical controls while maintaining passenger agency through software-based request mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle allows door opening during motion, then passenger accessibility is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting door opening requests before the door actually opens. The automated driving system proactively responds by initiating controlled stopping sequences, evaluating traffic conditions, and preparing safety protocols in advance, preventing harmful situations before they occur rather than reacting after the door is opened
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated driving system continuously monitors door sensor states and provides real-time responses. When a door opening is detected, the system feedbacks by adjusting vehicle operations (deceleration, stopping, hazard lights) based on current traffic conditions, creating a closed-loop safety system that adapts to the specific situation
3Reliability
If the vehicle implements comprehensive stop and park sequences with multiple safety checks, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stopping and parking processes into distinct sequential phases: detection phase (sensor monitoring), decision phase (processor evaluation of conditions), execution phase (actuator implementation of controlled stop), and post-stop phase (parking sequence initiation). Each phase has specific safety checks and can be independently tested and maintained, reducing overall system complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for automated parking of autonomous vehicles are provided herein. An example method includes receiving, by an automated driving system of an autonomous vehicle, a pull over request during a trip to a destination; initiating, by the automated driving system, a pull over sequence, the pull over sequence including determining if the autonomous vehicle is within a pre-determined distance from the destination; stopping the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle is within the pre-determined distance; and when the autonomous vehicle is not within the pre-determined distance, initiating a parking sequence to park the autonomous vehicle at a nearest available parking location.