Ego Vehicle Overtaking Control for Safer Multi-Vehicle Passing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overtaking maneuvers in autonomous vehicles are challenging due to high collision risks, and current automated vehicles lack the sophistication to perform safe overtaking maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining an instruction for at least partially autonomically controlling the driving of an ego vehicle during an overtaking maneuver, involving obtaining data on the overtaking maneuver and the ego vehicle's position relative to other vehicles, to assist in reducing collision risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated vehicles perform overtaking maneuvers autonomously, then traffic safety is improved by eliminating human error, but the complexity of the automation system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic safetyVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the overtaking maneuver into distinct phases (detection, evaluation, execution, monitoring) and assigns specific functions to different system modules. The detection system identifies overtaking situations, the evaluation module assesses safety conditions, and the control system executes appropriate responses, thereby managing complexity through functional segmentation while maintaining high safety standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between vehicles involved in overtaking maneuvers. This intermediary layer enables coordinated decision-making by allowing the ego vehicle to exchange information with the overtaking vehicle and other road users, facilitating safe overtaking without requiring overly complex autonomous decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the ego vehicle actively assists in overtaking maneuvers by adjusting its driving behavior, then safety margins are improved, but the ego vehicle loses some driving autonomy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety marginVSAvoiddriving autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the ego vehicle's driving behavior based on real-time detection of overtaking maneuvers. The system dynamically modifies speed, position, and acceleration parameters to create safety margins for overtaking vehicles while maintaining adaptive control that preserves a degree of autonomous decision-making capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively creating safety margins before overtaking conflicts occur. The system detects potential overtaking situations in advance and adjusts its driving behavior preemptively to prevent hazardous situations, rather than reacting after conflicts arise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4549274A1Method for determining an instruction for at least partially autonomically controlling driving of an ego vehicle in an overtaking maneuver
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4549274A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4549274A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c
  • EP4549274A1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method (100) for determining an instruction for at least partially autonomically controlling driving of an ego vehicle (10) in an overtaking maneuver involving two or more further vehicles (40, 42, 44) in a vicinity of the ego vehicle (10), wherein the method (100) comprises: - obtaining first data indicative of the overtaking maneuver, in which a first vehicle (40) of the further vehicles (40, 42, 44) is about to overtake a second vehicle (42) of the further vehicles (40, 42, 44), based on a detection of the first vehicle (40) by a detection system (20) of the ego vehicle (10), - obtaining second data indicative of a position of the ego vehicle (10) relative to the first vehicle (40) based on the detection of the first vehicle (40) by the detection system (20), and - determining the instruction for at least partially autonomically controlling the driving of the ego vehicle (10) based on the first data and the second data.