Driver Readiness Thresholds for Automatic Driving Takeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic driving systems often inadvertently switch to manual driving due to unintended driver inputs during automatic driving control, leading to inappropriate transitions.
Innovation Solution
An automatic driving system with an electronic control unit that detects driver operation inputs and sets different thresholds for switching from automatic to manual driving based on the driver's readiness, preventing unintended manual driving transitions by adjusting the switching threshold accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed switching threshold is used for automatic to manual driving transition, then the switching response is simple and fast, but unintended switching occurs due to mistaken driver inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The switching threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed. The electronic control unit adjusts the threshold based on real-time detection of driver readiness signals. When driver readiness is detected, the threshold is set to a first value that allows switching; when readiness is not detected, the threshold is set to a second value that prevents unintended switching. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the threshold to current driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the switching threshold based on the detected driver state. By monitoring driver inputs and determining readiness, the system modifies the threshold parameter to appropriately enable or prevent switching. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain high reliability by preventing mistaken switching while still enabling legitimate mode transitions when the driver is ready.
2Speed
If the switching threshold is lowered to enable faster manual driving takeover, then switching responsiveness improves, but unintended switching due to mistaken inputs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of driver readiness before allowing switching to occur. The electronic control unit continuously monitors for driver inputs that indicate readiness to take over manual driving. Only when this preliminary condition is satisfied does the system lower the threshold to enable switching. This preliminary action prevents unintended switching while maintaining the ability to switch quickly when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where driver inputs are continuously monitored and fed back to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether the driver is ready for manual driving and adjusts the switching threshold accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that switching responsiveness is optimized while preventing unintended transitions by requiring confirmed driver intent.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic driving system includes an electronic control device configured to: detect a driving operation input amount during an automatic driving control for a vehicle; determine whether the driver is able to start manual driving during the automatic driving control for the vehicle; output a signal for performing switching from automatic driving to the manual driving based on a result of a comparison between the driving operation input amount and a driving switching threshold that is a threshold for the switching from the automatic driving to the manual driving; set the driving switching threshold to a first driving switching threshold when it is determined that the driver is able to start the manual driving; and set the driving switching threshold to a second driving switching threshold exceeding the first driving switching threshold when it is determined that the driver is not able to start the manual driving.