Physiological Vehicle Control System for Autonomous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle systems lack the ability to control vehicle operations without direct user input, particularly in situations where the user is unable to provide input due to health conditions or environmental factors, and there is a need for systems that can manage vehicle systems based on user physiological traits for convenience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A physiological control system that receives data from sensors, processes it to determine user conditions, and outputs control signals to vehicle systems, allowing for autonomous operation or adjustment of comfort and convenience settings, while also communicating with external authorities if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated driver-assistance systems are implemented, then vehicle automation level increases, but user control and direct input capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the user's physiological state autonomously and automatically adjusts vehicle operations without requiring user input. The physiological sensors continuously track parameters such as heart rate, stress levels, and alertness, and the control system autonomously modifies driving behavior, temperature settings, and alert notifications based on detected physiological conditions, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant user direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where physiological sensors continuously monitor user state, the processor analyzes this data to determine physiological conditions, and the control system adjusts vehicle operations accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to respond dynamically to changing user conditions, maintaining appropriate automation levels and user control based on real-time physiological information.
2Reliability
If physiological sensors and control systems are added, then user comfort and safety improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physiological control system serves multiple functions within a single integrated architecture. The same sensor array monitors both safety-critical parameters (alertness, stress) and comfort parameters (temperature preference, seating position). The processor analyzes physiological data to determine various physiological conditions and triggers different control responses accordingly, allowing one system to handle both safety and comfort functions rather than requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines physiological sensing, data processing, and vehicle control functions into an integrated control system. Rather than having separate independent systems for monitoring and control, the patent merges these functions into a unified architecture where the processor directly connects sensor inputs to control outputs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety and comfort monitoring capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the system autonomously controls vehicle operations, then user convenience increases, but user awareness and control decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to the user about its autonomous actions and the physiological conditions triggering them. When the system detects physiological conditions such as high stress or low alertness, it notifies the user of these conditions and the control actions being taken, such as adjusting temperature or modifying driving behavior. This feedback mechanism maintains user awareness of system operations while still providing the convenience of autonomous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary actions to maintain user awareness by providing advance notification of physiological conditions and intended control responses. Before autonomously adjusting vehicle operations, the system alerts the user to the detected physiological state and the planned control actions, allowing the user to mentally prepare for or override these changes while still benefiting from the system's proactive monitoring and control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle based on a physiological trait. The method includes: receiving physiological data from one or more physiological sensors; processing the received physiological data, by a processor, to determine one or more physiological conditions; and based on the determined physiological condition, outputting one or more control signals to a vehicle system to control an operation of the vehicle system.