Pedestrian Attribute-Aware Braking Timing for Drive Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle collision avoidance systems fail to account for the varying attributes of pedestrians, such as age or mobility, leading to inconsistent and potentially inadequate braking or warning timings, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and elderly individuals.
Innovation Solution
A drive support apparatus and method that includes detection, calculation, and determination units to identify pedestrian attributes and adjust vehicle control timing based on positional relations and accident likelihood, using image recognition and sensors to provide tailored interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed distance threshold is used for automatic braking regardless of pedestrian attributes, then the control logic is simple, but the safety effectiveness decreases for vulnerable pedestrians like children and elderly persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the braking threshold distance based on detected pedestrian attributes. Instead of using a fixed distance threshold, the system modifies the threshold parameter according to the pedestrian type (e.g., children, elderly persons) detected through image analysis, thereby improving safety effectiveness for vulnerable groups while maintaining a relatively simple control framework
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and analyzing pedestrian attributes before determining the braking threshold. The image processing unit analyzes pedestrian characteristics in advance, and the control unit pre-determines the appropriate threshold distance based on this analysis, enabling proactive safety adjustments before the braking decision is finalized
2Reliability
If the braking threshold distance is increased for children to provide earlier braking, then child safety is improved, but the braking may become too early for adults reducing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing attribute-specific braking thresholds tailored to different pedestrian types. The system determines different threshold distances for different groups: a larger threshold for children to enable earlier braking and enhance their safety, while using a standard or smaller threshold for adults to maintain system efficiency and avoid unnecessary early braking actions
3Measurement precision
If image processing is used to detect pedestrian attributes, then the accuracy of pedestrian recognition is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively processing image data to extract only the essential attributes needed for safety decisions (such as height, posture, or clothing characteristics indicative of children or elderly persons). Rather than performing complete and exhaustive image analysis, the system focuses on key features that sufficiently differentiate vulnerable pedestrian groups, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining adequate recognition accuracy for safety-critical decisions
Data Source
AI summary
A drive support apparatus capable of performing vehicle control at an appropriate timing in accordance with an attribute of a person existing in surroundings of a vehicle is provided. A drive support apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a detection unit configured to detect a person in an image of surroundings of a vehicle; a calculation unit configured to calculate a positional relation between the vehicle and the person based on the image; an estimation unit configured to estimate an attribute of the person based on the image, the attribute being related to likelihood of an accident; and a determination unit configured to determine a timing of a vehicle control based on the positional relation and the attribute.