Dynamic Driving Mode Assignment for In-Car Time Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers of autonomous vehicles face challenges in utilizing time efficiently during varying driving modes, as the availability and suitability of activities differ significantly between manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous driving levels, making it difficult to predict and utilize 'free' time effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system that assigns driving modes based on parameters like road type, traffic conditions, and personal preferences, and proposes relevant activities for each mode, allowing drivers to engage in suitable tasks during pilot-assisted and autonomous driving segments by indicating and executing different parts of the route and suggesting appropriate activities through interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle operates in manual driving mode, then the driver has full control and awareness, but the driver cannot engage in activities that require attention away from the road

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver controlVSAvoidtime utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between manual and autonomous driving modes based on route segments, allowing the driver's role and available activities to change flexibly throughout the journey rather than remaining static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If the vehicle operates in autonomous driving mode, then the driver can engage in various activities, but the vehicle can only operate on preapproved or certified roads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime utilizationVSAvoidroute flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The route is divided into multiple segments with different automation levels assigned to each segment. This allows the system to provide autonomous driving capabilities on certified roads while maintaining manual control on non-certified roads, optimizing time utilization without sacrificing overall route flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If the system provides detailed activity suggestions for different driving modes, then time utilization is optimized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and assigns driving modes to different route segments before the journey begins, based on certified road data. This preliminary action allows the system to provide activity suggestions without requiring complex real-time calculations during driving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3115942B1Method and system for smart use of in-car time with advanced pilot assist and autonomous drive
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP3115942B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3115942B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3115942B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a method, a vehicle, an interface, a computer readable medium comprising program instructions and a system for planning activities for a driver of the vehicle, where a scheduled route is planned for the vehicle to drive along, wherein the system comprises: an assignment unit configured for: assigning a pilot assisted driving mode to one or more first parts of the scheduled route; and assigning an autonomous driving mode to one or more second parts of the scheduled route, where the assignment of the driving mode is determined based on one or more first parameters; at least one interface configured for indicating the one or more first and second parts of the scheduled route to the driver; a proposal unit configured for, upon execution of the assigned driving mode in the vehicle: proposing one or more first activities to the driver for the one or more first parts of the scheduled route; and proposing one or more second activities to the driver for the one or more second parts of the scheduled route, where the proposal of the activity is determined based on one or more second parameters.