Autonomous Vehicle Emergency Path Control Under Module Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely navigating emergency situations without driver intervention, particularly when communication failures occur between control modules, leading to potential accidents due to the absence of a brake, steering wheel, or accelerator pedal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system comprising a central processor and control modules that determine and execute a safety path by assessing risks based on vehicle speed and mass, and adapt command sets in case of failures or communication issues, ensuring the vehicle follows the path with the smallest risk to avoid accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous driving is implemented without driver intervention controls (brake, steering wheel, accelerator pedal), then automation level is improved, but safety in emergency situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments emergency response into multiple independent paths (first emergency path, second emergency path, third emergency path) with different risk levels. Each path represents a distinct emergency maneuver option, allowing the system to evaluate and select the safest path without requiring traditional driver controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from traditional driver intervention (brake, steering, accelerator) to automated path selection based on risk assessment. The central processor dynamically adjusts control parameters by selecting different emergency paths according to real-time risk evaluation, maintaining safety while achieving full automation.
2Reliability
If multiple emergency paths are evaluated based on risk assessment, then safety is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple emergency paths (first, second, third emergency paths) with different risk characteristics before emergencies occur. These paths are prepared in advance with associated risk levels, allowing rapid selection during emergencies without complex real-time calculation of all possible maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simplified risk assessment models that evaluate emergency paths based on key parameters (risk level, response time) rather than complex simulations. This allows rapid evaluation of multiple paths using computationally efficient methods, sacrificing some precision for speed in time-critical emergency situations.
3Extent of automation
If communication failure occurs between control modules, then system reliability deteriorates, but autonomous operation must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares backup control strategies and alternative emergency paths in advance to cushion against communication failures. When communication between control modules fails, the system can switch to pre-planned alternative paths or maintain autonomous operation using locally available information, preventing complete system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control modules are designed to autonomously determine and execute emergency paths without requiring continuous communication with other modules. Each module can independently assess risks and implement emergency maneuvers, allowing the system to maintain autonomous operation even when inter-module communication fails.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a vehicle capable of safely performing autonomous driving without user intervention through operations of control modules and communication between the control modules even in an emergency situation of an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of control modules and a central processor. The central processor is configured to: in case of an emergency situation, determine a plurality of paths for each situation based on a speed of the vehicle; determine a risk corresponding to each of the plurality of paths for each situation based on the speed of the vehicle and a mass of the vehicle; determine a safety path corresponding to the smallest risk among the risks corresponding to each of the plurality of paths for each situation; and control the plurality of control modules based on a command set corresponding to the safety path.