Driver Intention Detection for Safe Semi-Autonomous Steering Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semi-autonomous vehicles lack a safe and orderly method for switching between autonomous and manual driving modes, relying on ad hoc methods that are outdated and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines driver intention by assessing vehicle and environmental states through pre-defined transition conditions, using a processor to validate if the vehicle is within a safety region, allowing smooth transitions between autonomous lane-keeping, autonomous lane-change, and manual modes, with the driver able to control the vehicle using the steering wheel to initiate mode changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ad hoc methods are used for mode switching in conventional semi-autonomous vehicles, then the implementation is simple, but the safety and orderliness of mode switching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mode switching process is segmented into distinct phases: driver intention detection phase (monitoring steering wheel inputs), validation phase (checking vehicle state against pre-defined conditions), and execution phase (actual mode transition). This segmentation allows each phase to be handled by dedicated subsystems, improving safety through systematic verification while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions before mode switching by pre-defining transition conditions and safety regions, continuously assessing vehicle states against these criteria, and detecting driver intention through steering wheel monitoring before the actual mode change occurs. This preliminary validation ensures safe and orderly switching while preventing unauthorized or unsafe transitions.
2Ease of operation
If conventional button-pressing methods are used for mode switching, then the operation is simple for the driver, but the response time in emergency situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service mode switching by automatically detecting driver intention through steering wheel input monitoring and autonomously managing the transition process when pre-defined conditions are met. This eliminates the need for explicit driver actions like button pressing, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically reducing response time in emergency situations through automatic detection and execution.
3Reliability
If the system requires explicit driver action for mode switching, then the driver control is clear, but the system responsiveness to unexpected driver intentions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring steering wheel inputs, comparing actual steering actions against expected patterns for each driving mode, and using this feedback to detect driver intention. The system also provides feedback to the driver through notifications and confirmations, ensuring clear communication while maintaining high accuracy in intention detection through systematic analysis of driver inputs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems including processor configured to receive a transition indication to switch a semi-autonomous vehicle from a driving mode to another driving mode while a driver is driving the vehicle on a roadway. Wherein the driving modes include an autonomous lane keeping mode, an autonomous lane change mode and a manual mode. In response to receiving the request, use protocol data to assess a status of the vehicle's environment, a vehicle state and systems of the vehicle. Select, a set of conditions corresponding to the vehicle's state, based on one or more of the assessments. Determine, whether a switch between driving modes is initiated by the driver, by verifying if the vehicle's state satisfies the set of conditions, in order to validate if the driver actuated the vehicle into or out of a safety region.