Drive Mode Switch Control Device for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to effectively manage the transition from autonomous driving to manual driving, particularly when the driver's attention is diverted, leading to unintended overrides due to inappropriate driving attitudes.
Innovation Solution
A drive mode switch control device and method that acquires operation information from multiple targets (accelerator, brake, steering) and determines the driver's attitude using visual line direction, face direction, and gripping state, setting approved and disapproved operation targets to prevent unintended overrides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system switches from autonomous driving to manual driving upon detecting any driver operation, then the driver can take control quickly, but unintended overrides may occur when the driver's attention is diverted
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates the driver's attitude locally for each operation target (accelerator, brake, steering) separately, determining appropriateness based on specific detection information items relevant to each target, rather than using a single global switch condition
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of the driver's attitude and appropriateness of operation before executing the drive mode switch, using detection information items to assess whether the driver is in an appropriate state to take control
2Reliability
If the system requires multiple detection information items to be appropriate before allowing override, then unintended overrides are suppressed, but the switching response may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires only a predetermined number of detection information items to be appropriate (not necessarily all items), allowing the override to proceed when sufficient evidence of appropriate driver attitude is present, balancing reliability with response speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the override determination based on the current state of detection information items, allowing flexible switching between requiring one or two appropriate items depending on the specific driving situation and operation target
3Reliability
If the system monitors multiple operation targets simultaneously, then comprehensive driver attitude assessment is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the driver attitude assessment into separate evaluations for each operation target (accelerator, brake, steering), with specific detection information items assigned to each target, making the complex monitoring task manageable through modular evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a unified set of detection information items (visual line direction, face direction, gripping state) that serve multiple functions across different operation targets, reducing the need for separate sensing systems for each target
Data Source
AI summary
A drive mode switch control device controls switching of driving between a driver and an autonomous driving function. The drive mode switch control device includes an operation information acquisition unit, a drive state switch unit, an attitude determination unit, and an approved target setting unit. The operation information acquisition unit acquires an operation information item associated with the driving operation input to at least one of a plurality of operation targets. The drive state switch unit executes an override that switches from an autonomous driving state to another driving state. The attitude determination unit acquires a plurality of detection information items related to driving attitudes of the driver, and determine whether each of the plurality of detection information items is appropriate for the driving operation. The approved target setting unit sets an approved operation target or a disapproved operation target to each of the plurality of operation targets.