Envelope Control System for Seamless Autonomous Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems face challenges in seamlessly transitioning between autonomous and semi-autonomous modes, particularly in navigating complex road conditions such as construction areas, where autonomous modes may struggle, necessitating driver intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an envelope control system with a common control scheme for both modes, generating control signals through a command generating module and transmitting them to a vehicle motion controller, where inputs are either driver commands in semi-autonomous mode or pseudo-driver inputs in autonomous mode, allowing for seamless switching without requiring separate control schemes or hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control schemes are used for autonomous and semi-autonomous modes, then each mode can be optimized independently, but the system complexity increases and seamless transition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control scheme that serves both autonomous and semi-autonomous modes through a single envelope control system. The control architecture remains identical across modes, with the autonomous vehicle generator providing inputs whether from a human driver or autonomous algorithms, thereby eliminating the need for separate control schemes and enabling seamless transitions between modes.
2Extent of automation
If autonomous mode is implemented, then driver intervention is reduced, but the vehicle struggles with complex road conditions such as construction areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching capability that allows the vehicle to transition between autonomous and semi-autonomous modes based on environmental conditions. When complex situations like construction zones are detected, the system can switch to semi-autonomous mode where the autonomous vehicle generator receives inputs from the human driver, thereby combining autonomous efficiency with human adaptability for complex scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If driver intervention is allowed in semi-autonomous mode, then complex road conditions can be handled, but the control system requires overlapping control schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal control architecture where the envelope control system and vehicle motion controller serve both autonomous and semi-autonomous modes through identical control schemes. The autonomous vehicle generator adapts its input source based on mode - using autonomous algorithms in autonomous mode and human driver inputs in semi-autonomous mode - thereby eliminating the need for overlapping control schemes while maintaining driver intervention capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a vehicle having an autonomous mode and a semi-autonomous mode includes one or more processors and a memory in communication with the one or more processors. The memory stores a command generating module and a transmission module. The command generating module causes the one or more processors to generate, in response to an input, at least one control signal for controlling the vehicle by an envelope control system. The envelope control system utilizes a common control scheme for both the semi-autonomous mode and the autonomous mode, wherein the input is a driver input when the vehicle is in the semi-autonomous mode and the input is a pseudo-driver input when the vehicle is in the autonomous mode. The transmission module causes the one or more processors to transmit the at least one control signal to a vehicle motion controller, wherein the vehicle motion controller controls the movement of the vehicle.