Remote Driving Handover Control Using Traffic and pQoS Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack an efficient method for safely and economically switching from automated driving mode to remote driving mode, particularly in situations where rapid mode changes are resource-intensive and disruptive to driving comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines driving preferences of remote drivers from their behavior, predicts future traffic situations, assesses the quality of service for communication links, and decides on mode changes based on a predicted remote operation interval, aiming to avoid rapid mode switches and optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mode switching from automated driving to remote driving is performed frequently to handle various traffic situations, then adaptability is improved, but resource consumption increases and driving comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of traffic situation predictions and communication quality assessments before initiating mode switching. By evaluating future traffic scenarios and predicting handover opportunities in advance, the system avoids unnecessary mode changes and ensures switching only occurs when conditions are favorable, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors traffic situations, communication quality, and handover performance, using this feedback to optimize mode switching decisions. By analyzing past handover outcomes and current system state, the system adapts its switching strategy to minimize resource consumption while maintaining appropriate adaptability to varying traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If mode switching is performed rapidly to respond to changing traffic conditions, then responsiveness is improved, but driving comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoiddriving comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies and prepares for handover opportunities in advance by predicting future traffic situations and assessing communication quality beforehand. This preliminary preparation allows the system to execute mode transitions smoothly when conditions are optimal, maintaining responsiveness to traffic changes while avoiding abrupt switches that would compromise driving comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If mode switching decisions are made without considering future traffic situations, then decision speed is improved, but safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision speedVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs advance prediction of traffic situations and communication quality to identify favorable handover opportunities before they occur. By preparing decision criteria in advance and continuously monitoring predicted future conditions, the system maintains rapid decision-making capability while ensuring that mode switching only occurs when safety requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4040253B1Vehicle, infrastructure component, apparatus, computer program, and method for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4040253B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4040253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments provide a vehicle (2100), an infrastructure component (2200), an apparatus (200), a computer program, and a method (100) for a vehicle configured to be remotely operated by a remote driver in a remote driving mode and to be operated at least partially automatically in an automated driving mode. The method (100) comprises determining (110) driving preferences of a remote driver from the driving behavior of the remote driver. Also, the method (100) comprises predicting (120), based on the driving preferences, information on a future traffic situation for switching from the automated driving mode to the remote driving mode. Further, the method (100) comprises determining (130) a predicted quality of service (pQoS) of a communication link for the remote driving mode. The method (100) also comprises predicting (140) a remote operation interval for which the vehicle is at least operable in the remote driving mode based on the pQoS and the information on the future traffic situation. Further, the method comprises deciding (150) for or against a change from the automated driving mode to the remote driving mode based on the remote operation interval.