Vehicle Exit Assistance Using Intent and Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle exit assistance systems are inadequate in preventing door collisions with approaching vehicles or pedestrians, as they rely on human vigilance, which can lead to accidents due to negligence or distraction.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that analyzes interior and exterior vehicle data to detect a person's intention to exit and potential hazards in the vicinity, calculating a vehicle exit score to output control signals for locking the door or providing warnings to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door opening warning system with multiple sensors is implemented, then the safety against door collisions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (object sensor, touchless sensor, touch sensor) into a single integrated door opening warning system controlled by one control unit. This merging approach maintains comprehensive safety monitoring while reducing system complexity compared to separate independent systems for each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes data from the object sensor for collision risk assessment, monitors the touchless sensor for hand proximity detection, and evaluates touch sensor signals for actual door handle contact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control units for each sensing modality.
2Reliability
If automated door opening warning systems are implemented, then the protection against negligent door opening is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional alarm triggers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of door opening intent through the touchless sensor before actual door handle contact occurs. This allows the control unit to prepare warning signals in advance, triggering alerts at optimal moments to prevent collisions while giving occupants sufficient notice without creating false alarms.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is used to detect all door opening intentions, then the safety is improved, but the false alarm rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from multiple sensor sources to continuously evaluate door opening intent. By cross-referencing object sensor data (detecting approaching vehicles/pedestrians) with touchless and touch sensor signals, the system confirms genuine door opening intentions while filtering out false triggers, thereby maintaining high safety without excessive false alarms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for vehicle exit assistance. A method comprises analyzing interior cabin data originating from a vehicle sensing system to detect a position and/or movement of a person in a cabin of the vehicle. The method further comprises determining, based on the detected position and/or movement of the person, a door opening act about to occur, analyzing exterior environment data originating from the vehicle sensing system to detect an object in a given vicinity of the vehicle and outputting a control signal to a vehicle assistance system. A system for vehicle exit assistance is provided, comprising a vehicle sensing system, a data processing system, interfaces for outputting a control signal, configured to perform the computer-implemented methods. Finally, a vehicle is provided comprising the system for vehicle exit assistance.