Autonomous Vehicle Transition Mode for Driver Takeover Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle systems lack a reliable method to transition control from autonomous mode to driver-controlled mode, especially in situations where the autonomous system or vehicle components are impaired, potentially leading to unsafe conditions for the driver.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces a transition mode that stabilizes the vehicle for a minimum and potentially extended period, ensuring the driver takes over only when the vehicle is stable, and includes an emergency braking mode to ensure safety if stabilization is not achieved within the transition time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the autonomous system transitions immediately to driver control upon detecting functional impairment, then the transition time is minimized, but the vehicle stability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stabilization actions by activating a stabilization program that controls vehicle components (braking, steering, acceleration) to stabilize the vehicle's longitudinal and transverse acceleration before transferring control to the driver. This ensures the vehicle is in a safe state before the driver takes over.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a dynamic transition process with multiple phases (immediate stabilization, extended stabilization if needed, emergency braking) that adapts to the actual vehicle state. The transition duration and stabilization measures are dynamically adjusted based on whether the vehicle can be stabilized within the minimum transition time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the autonomous system extends the transition mode beyond minimum transition time, then the vehicle stability improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle stability parameters (longitudinal and transverse acceleration) during the transition mode and uses this feedback to determine whether to extend the stabilization period. The stabilization program is maintained as long as stabilization criteria are not met, creating a closed-loop control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters by extending the transition mode duration from the minimum transition time to an extended period when stabilization is achieved. This parameter change allows the vehicle to remain in autonomous stabilization mode longer than initially planned if safety conditions require it.
3Reliability
If the autonomous system implements comprehensive stabilization measures, then the vehicle safety improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing autonomous control system is made multi-functional by adding stabilization capabilities that reuse existing vehicle components (brake system, steering system, acceleration control) for both autonomous driving and stabilization purposes. This avoids adding entirely new hardware systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the autonomous system, driver, and vehicle components during transition. It manages the stabilization program and communicates with various vehicle systems (brakes, steering, engine) to achieve coordinated stabilization without requiring a completely new control architecture.
4Reliability
If the autonomous system delays driver takeover until stabilization is achieved, then the driver safety improves, but the productivity of the system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial stabilization actions focused on critical safety parameters (longitudinal and transverse acceleration) rather than attempting to optimize all vehicle parameters. This targeted approach achieves sufficient stabilization for driver safety without excessive intervention in all vehicle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization program performs preliminary control actions to bring the vehicle to a safe state before driver takeover. By preparing the vehicle in advance through controlled braking, steering, or acceleration adjustments, the system ensures safety is established before the driver needs to assume control.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous system for a vehicle, having a control device. The autonomous system, when there is a functional impairment of the autonomous system and/or of a controlled vehicle component, is in a transition mode for at least a specified minimum transition time, in which mode the controlled component and/or at least one additional vehicle component of the traveling vehicle is controllable by the control device corresponding to a specified transition program. After the elapse of the minimum transition time, the autonomous system is in its transition mode until either a specified maximum transition time has elapsed or at least one current speed of the vehicle is below a specified maximum speed, there is a request by the driver for the acceleration of the vehicle, a current transverse acceleration of the vehicle is below a specified maximum transverse acceleration, and/or at least one vehicle stabilization controller of the vehicle is inactive.