Emergency Steering Handoff Alerts to Prevent Driver Wheel Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to prevent drivers from interfering with autonomous emergency avoidance steering when the driver touches the steering wheel during execution.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that outputs a first notification command to urge the driver to avoid touching the steering wheel before transitioning to autonomous emergency avoidance steering mode, using a combination of visual, auditory, and vibratory notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system executes autonomous emergency avoidance steering when the driver touches the steering wheel, then the emergency avoidance maneuver can be performed, but the driver's contact with the steering wheel interferes with and hinders the execution of the autonomous emergency avoidance steering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution reliability of autonomous emergency avoidance steeringVSAvoiddriver's ability to touch steering wheel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The notification unit provides advance notification to the driver before autonomous emergency avoidance steering is executed, urging the driver to release the steering wheel. This preliminary action prevents the driver's contact from interfering with the upcoming autonomous maneuver, thereby ensuring reliable execution while maintaining the driver's natural ability to operate the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary notification and preparation before executing the autonomous emergency avoidance steering. By notifying the driver in advance and providing a brief preparation period, the system ensures that the driver releases the steering wheel before the autonomous maneuver begins, preventing interference while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the system notifies the driver in advance of autonomous emergency avoidance steering execution, then the driver is aware of the upcoming maneuver, but the autonomous emergency avoidance steering may still be hindered if the driver touches the steering wheel during execution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver awareness of autonomous emergency avoidance steeringVSAvoidexecution reliability of autonomous emergency avoidance steering
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The notification unit not only informs the driver of the upcoming autonomous emergency avoidance steering but also specifically urges the driver to release the steering wheel. This dual-purpose notification prevents both information loss and execution interference by addressing the steering wheel contact issue proactively before the maneuver begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system provides feedback to the driver about the system's intent to execute autonomous emergency avoidance steering and the desired driver response (releasing the steering wheel). This feedback loop ensures the driver understands both what will happen and what action they should take, maintaining both awareness and execution reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system allows the driver to touch the steering wheel during autonomous emergency avoidance steering, then the driver maintains control capability, but the autonomous emergency avoidance steering execution is hindered and cannot be performed smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver control capability during emergency avoidanceVSAvoidexecution efficiency of autonomous emergency avoidance steering
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By notifying the driver in advance to release the steering wheel, the system prevents the driver's contact from hindering the autonomous maneuver. This preliminary action maintains the driver's control capability (adaptability) while ensuring smooth, uninterrupted execution (productivity) of the emergency avoidance steering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the driver-vehicle interaction by temporarily modifying the steering wheel's responsiveness or providing haptic feedback to guide the driver to release it. This dynamic adjustment maintains driver control capability while ensuring efficient autonomous execution during the critical emergency avoidance maneuver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3979226B1Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, and vehicle control system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3979226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3979226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3979226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle control controller is configured to acquire information on an obstacle in front of a vehicle acquired by an external world recognition device, and to output, based on the acquired obstacle position and own vehicle position, a first notification command for controlling a notification unit so as to give to a driver a notification for urging the driver to avoid touching a steering wheel when transitioning to an autonomous emergency avoidance steering mode for avoiding the obstacle based on control by an electric power steering device.