Autonomous Vehicle User Control Handoff System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in transitioning from autonomous to manual control modes when encountering faults, such as sensor errors or communication failures, which can lead to safety risks and traffic disruptions, as existing systems lack efficient methods to identify and authorize user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that identifies events hindering autonomous operation, determines eligible users based on profiles, and adjusts the vehicle's operating mode to allow manual control by authorized and willing users, enabling safe vehicle relocation without deploying maintenance teams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles operate fully autonomously without user intervention capability, then automation level is improved, but reliability deteriorates when sensor errors or communication failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions the vehicle between autonomous and manual operating modes based on detected fault conditions. When sensor errors or communication failures are identified, the system automatically switches from fully autonomous operation to manual control mode, allowing users to take control and resolve the issue
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system acts as an intermediary that monitors vehicle status, detects faults, identifies eligible users based on profiles, and coordinates the transition to manual control. This intermediary function ensures reliable handoff between autonomous and manual modes while maintaining safety
2Reliability
If maintenance teams are deployed to assist distressed autonomous vehicles, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to resource allocation overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables distressed autonomous vehicles to self-resolve issues by automatically identifying and contacting eligible users who can take control of the vehicle. Users receive notifications with vehicle location and context, and can independently assist the vehicle without requiring maintenance team deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies and profiles potential users who are eligible to operate autonomous vehicles before faults occur. When a distress event happens, the system can immediately contact pre-qualified users rather than needing to search for or deploy maintenance personnel, significantly reducing response time
3Reliability
If the system contacts multiple users to find one willing to operate the vehicle, then reliability is improved by ensuring user availability, but loss of time increases due to iterative contact attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and profiling multiple potential users before distress events occur. User profiles include eligibility criteria and contact information, allowing the system to immediately notify pre-qualified users when a fault happens, eliminating the need for iterative searching
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where users are notified of distress events with relevant vehicle context and location information. Users can respond to indicate willingness to assist, and the system receives feedback to determine whether to contact additional users or proceed with the responding user
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing a user control of an autonomous vehicle to enable the user to assist the autonomous vehicle. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes identifying, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, an occurrence of an event associated with an autonomous vehicle. The event can hinder an ability of the autonomous vehicle to operate in an autonomous operating mode. In response to the occurrence of the event associated with the autonomous vehicle, the method includes determining, by the computing system, a user to operate the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on a profile associated with the user. The method includes providing, by the computing system, one or more control signals to cause the autonomous vehicle to enter into an operating mode that allows the user to operate the autonomous vehicle.