Driver Assistance Braking With Intentional Discomfort Feedback

Solution Overview

Problem

Driver reliance on automated driving systems at SAE Level 1 or 2 can lead to an overestimation of the system's capabilities, potentially causing the driver to underestimate their responsibility in right-of-way situations, leading to misjudgment of the vehicle's automation level.

Innovation Solution

A driver assistance system that provides sensor-based braking intervention with uncomfortable feedback, such as abrupt deceleration or seat belt tensioning, to remind the driver of their responsibility and moderate reliance on automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle autonomously executes emergency maneuvers to avoid collisions, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to abrupt and unnatural vehicle behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidpassenger comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by intentionally introducing uncomfortable vehicle behaviors (longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, roll angle) before the actual emergency maneuver. This pre-conditioning causes passengers to lean or shift position in anticipation, which then reduces the perceived discomfort when the actual collision avoidance maneuver executes. The uncomfortable pre-action counteracts the subsequent uncomfortable action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts vehicle behavior by transitioning from normal stable operation to controlled uncomfortable states (acceleration, lateral movement, rolling) and then to emergency maneuver states. This dynamic variation in vehicle behavior patterns creates unpredictable responses that maintain passenger alertness while preparing them for the actual emergency maneuver, thereby improving collision avoidance effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle maintains stable and predictable behavior, then passenger comfort is improved, but alertness and reaction to actual hazards deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidhazard response alertness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by intentionally introducing uncomfortable vehicle behaviors (longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, roll angle) before the actual emergency maneuver. This pre-conditioning causes passengers to lean or shift position in anticipation, which then reduces the perceived discomfort when the actual collision avoidance maneuver executes. The uncomfortable pre-action counteracts the subsequent uncomfortable action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts vehicle behavior by transitioning from normal stable operation to controlled uncomfortable states (acceleration, lateral movement, rolling) and then to emergency maneuver states. This dynamic variation in vehicle behavior patterns creates unpredictable responses that maintain passenger alertness while preparing them for the actual emergency maneuver, thereby improving collision avoidance effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If autonomous emergency maneuvers are executed without warning, then collision avoidance response time is improved, but passenger psychological comfort deteriorates due to surprise and fear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency response timeVSAvoidpassenger psychological comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by executing preparatory maneuvers (longitudinal acceleration, lateral movement, body roll) before the actual emergency collision avoidance maneuver. These preliminary actions serve as warnings to passengers, allowing their bodies to adjust position and mindset in advance. This reduces the psychological shock and fear when the actual emergency maneuver executes, while maintaining the overall rapid response capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4669556B1Controlledly uncomfortable vehicle behavior in driver assistance system application

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a driver assistance system for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a yielding situation during vehicle guidance with SAE level 1 or 2. The driver assistance system comprises a sensor interface which is designed to transmit sensor signals relating to the environment of the vehicle to a control unit of the driver assistance system. The control unit is designed to decide, on the basis of the sensor signals, whether braking of the vehicle triggered by the driver assistance system is necessary to give right of way to another road user and, in the case of a decision to brake, to output, via an actuator interface of the driver assistance system, a command to perform braking of the vehicle. A feedback unit of the driver assistance system is designed to cause an application of force to the driver of the vehicle as an intentional reduction in driver comfort during the braking.