Onboard Merge Display Cues for Autonomous Driving Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard display systems for autonomous vehicles do not effectively communicate the need for driver intervention during merging operations, lacking clear visual cues for when autonomous driving will cease and requiring manual control.
Innovation Solution
An onboard display control device that acquires information about the point at which autonomous merging attempts will be aborted and displays this information visually within the vehicle cabin, using combined images of the traveling lane and fixed segments to indicate the need for driver intervention, including driving hand-over request and braking segments, to alert occupants before arrival at the abort point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous merging is attempted without clear visual warnings, then automation continues uninterrupted, but driver understanding and preparation for intervention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying warning information about the abort point before the vehicle actually reaches it. The display control section shows the distance to the abort point and visual cues in advance, allowing the driver to prepare for potential intervention while the autonomous merging is still ongoing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously providing the driver with information about the merging status and distance to the abort point. The display control section updates the visual information dynamically, giving the driver real-time feedback about when intervention will be needed.
2Loss of information
If detailed visual information about abort point is displayed, then driver understanding improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information is segmented into distinct visual elements: the abort point position, the distance measurement, and visual cues indicating the merging status. This segmentation allows the complex information to be presented in an organized, easily comprehensible manner without overwhelming the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual copying by displaying a graphical representation of the road layout with the abort point marked. Instead of using complex text descriptions, the system creates a simplified visual copy of the spatial relationship between the vehicle and the abort point.
Data Source
AI summary
An onboard display device is installed in a vehicle configured to enable autonomous driving. The onboard display device includes an information acquisition section and a display control section. In a case in which the vehicle attempts to merge from a traveling lane into a merging destination lane during autonomous driving, the information acquisition section acquires information regarding a point at which the attempt will be aborted, before the vehicle arrives at the point. The display control section displays the information regarding the point that is acquired by the information acquisition section, before the arrival at the point, at a display portion that is provided within a vehicle cabin of the vehicle.