Automated Lane Following With Driver-Requested Lateral Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated driving systems lack the ability to acknowledge and execute operator requests for lateral offsets from the center of the roadway, leading to operator discomfort and potential disengagement of the automated driving feature due to the inability to handle perceived obstacles missed by sensors.
Innovation Solution
An operator offset request system that utilizes a steering wheel with tactile sensors and switches to generate initiation signals, allowing operators to set and achieve lateral offsets through manual inputs, with the system communicating status updates via a human-machine interface, enabling the vehicle to adjust its path and maintain the offset until a new travel line is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the automated driving system strictly follows the center of the roadway, then the system maintains its intended purpose of automated lane following, but operator comfort deteriorates when operators perceive obstacles or desire intentional offsets
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the lane following behavior based on operator input. When the operator actuates the offset request interface, the system transitions from strict center following to offset following, allowing the vehicle to follow a travel line offset from the roadway center. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to accommodate operator preferences while maintaining automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates operator feedback through the offset request interface (steering wheel tactile sensors, switches, or turn-signal arm). When the operator indicates a desired offset, the system receives this feedback and adjusts its lane following behavior accordingly. The HMI communication provides feedback to the operator about the offset status, creating a closed-loop system that balances automated control with operator intent.
2Device complexity
If the automated driving system lacks an operator offset request interface, then the system structure remains simple, but operator comfort deteriorates leading to potential disengagement of the automated driving feature
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle components (steering wheel tactile sensors, switches, or turn-signal arm) for their primary functions while adding the secondary function of offset request initiation. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to gain operator offset capability without adding dedicated complex interfaces, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while improving operator comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the operator's natural interactions with the vehicle (tapping the steering wheel, using existing switches, or moving the turn-signal arm) to initiate offset requests. These are actions the operator would naturally perform during normal driving, eliminating the need for dedicated complex control interfaces and reducing the burden on the operator.
3Measurement precision
If the automated driving system only responds to sensed side objects, then the system relies on sensor data, but operator comfort deteriorates when operators perceive obstacles missed by sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The operator serves as an intermediary between the physical environment (obstacles) and the automated driving system. When sensors miss perceived obstacles, the operator can directly communicate this information to the system through the offset request interface. The system then adjusts its path based on this operator-mediated information, complementing sensor-based detection with human perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator can proactively request an offset before the automated system's sensors detect or respond to a potential obstacle. By allowing operator-initiated offsets, the system enables preliminary corrective action based on operator perception, preventing potential collisions that sensors might miss or respond to too slowly.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator offset request for automatic lane following system of an automobile vehicle includes an operator offset request defining a lateral offset distance away from a first travel-line of an automobile vehicle in a displacement path moved until a second travel-line of the automobile is achieved. An operator input setting system when actuated generates an initiation signal forwarded to a controller to input the operator offset request. An achievement signal is generated to signify a selected offset position selected by a vehicle operator for the offset distance is achieved. A vehicle return travel path is elected by the vehicle operator to return the automobile vehicle to the first travel-line from the second travel-line by a return displacement path which is opposite to the displacement path.