Remote Operation of Autonomous Vehicles in Unexpected Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating complex or hazardous driving environments, where they may require human intervention but current systems either disturb the driver or lack efficient remote operation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows an autonomous vehicle to identify unexpected driving environments and remotely operate by sending sensor data to a remote operator, enabling manual control or issuing commands to vehicle systems, with optimized data transmission to conserve bandwidth and ensure reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle stops operating autonomously and alerts the driver to manually operate the vehicle in unexpected environments, then the vehicle can handle complex situations, but the driver is disturbed and has to control the vehicle when they would rather not
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote operator as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle system and the driver. When the autonomous vehicle encounters an unexpected environment, instead of directly alerting the driver to take control, the system connects to a remote operator who can assist with decision-making or take control remotely. This mediator approach allows the vehicle to handle complex situations reliably while keeping the driver undisturbed, as the remote operator serves as the intermediate human resource for unusual situations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor data is transmitted to remote operator in unexpected environments, then remote operation capability is enabled, but bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively transmitting only the most critical sensor data to the remote operator rather than all available sensor data. The system prioritizes transmitting data that is essential for remote operation decisions, such as images of the unexpected environment, while potentially reducing or omitting less critical data streams. This approach enables remote operation capability while conserving bandwidth by transmitting only the necessary portion of available data.
3Productivity
If the autonomous vehicle operates in complex or hazardous driving environments, then the vehicle can navigate challenging conditions, but the autonomous systems are ill equipped to handle unexpected situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decision-making function for unexpected situations from the autonomous vehicle's onboard systems and relocates it to a remote operator. When the autonomous vehicle encounters an environment it is ill-equipped to handle, the system identifies this limitation and extracts the complex decision-making task, transferring control or consultation authority to a human operator who can better assess and handle the unusual situation. This separation allows the autonomous system to maintain navigation productivity while acknowledging its reliability limitations in unexpected conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer devices, systems, and methods for an autonomous passenger vehicle are described. An unexpected driving environment can be identified, such as by using one or more processors. Information based on the unexpected driving environment received from one or more sensors disposed on the vehicle can be sent to a remote operator using a remote server. A command sent by the remote operator relating to one or more vehicle systems can be received. The command can be sent to the one or more vehicle systems for execution.