Longitudinal Dynamics Cues for Active Driving Automation Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators in vehicles with advanced driving automation systems may struggle to distinguish between active and disengaged systems, especially under conditions of minimal visual or auditory cues, leading to reduced awareness and confidence due to lack of micro-adjustments in vehicle trajectory.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that modulates longitudinal vehicle dynamics through offsetting and correction control signals, generating inertial forces to notify operators of an active driving automation system, using inertial forces and optional visual cues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driving automation system operates with minimal visual or auditory cues, then the operator can engage in non-driving activities with fewer distractions, but the operator's awareness and confidence in the active system operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator ability to engage in non-driving activitiesVSAvoidoperator awareness of active system operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies mechanical vibration through longitudinal vehicle dynamics modulation, creating subtle inertial forces that notify the operator of active system operation without requiring visual or auditory attention, thus maintaining operator awareness while enabling engagement in non-driving activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary notification mechanism through longitudinal dynamics that bridges the gap between silent system operation and operator awareness, using subtle vehicle motion cues to convey system status without disrupting operator engagement in non-driving activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the driving automation system makes no micro-adjustments in vehicle trajectory, then the ride comfort is maximized, but the operator cannot distinguish between active and disengaged systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle trajectory stabilityVSAvoidoperator ability to distinguish active system state

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by making minimal longitudinal adjustments to the vehicle trajectory that are sufficient to convey system status to the operator through inertial cues, while remaining below the threshold of noticeable disruptions to ride comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic longitudinal dynamics modulation at intervals that create recognizable patterns of inertial forces, allowing the operator to distinguish active system operation without continuous noticeable adjustments that would compromise ride comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If the system notifies the operator through visual or auditory cues, then operator awareness is maintained, but the operator's ability to engage in non-driving activities is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator awareness of active system operationVSAvoidoperator ability to engage in non-driving activities

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces visual or auditory notification mechanisms with mechanical substitution through longitudinal dynamics modulation, using the vehicle's own motion system to convey status information through inertial forces that do not compete with visual or auditory information channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances operator confidence in the active operation of the driving automation system by discreetly notifying through subtle changes in vehicle dynamics, maintaining awareness without interfering with non-driving activities.

Implementation Method 1

inertial forces generated by the modulation of the longitudinal vehicle dynamics can notify the operator that the driving automation system is in an active state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial forces: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS20250381976A1Increasing operator confidence of an active driving automation system by modifying longitudinal vehicle dynamics

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided to notify an operator of an active and correctly operating driving automation system. More specifically, the notification is executed through modulation of longitudinal vehicle dynamics based on cruising speed or following distance to a leading vehicle.