Remote Driving Handover Using Traffic and Link QoS Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in safely and seamlessly transitioning from remote driving mode to automated driving mode, particularly when complex maneuvers are required or connectivity to a remote control center becomes insufficient.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining automated driving preferences based on vehicle driving behavior, predicting future traffic situations, calculating a predicted quality of service for communication links, and determining a handover duration to decide whether to switch from remote driving mode to automated driving mode, ensuring a safe and seamless transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the vehicle switches from remote driving mode to automated driving mode, then control can be taken over automatically, but the transition may be unsafe or incomplete if complex maneuvers are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated driving modeVSAvoidsafety of control transition
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future traffic situations and determining automated driving preferences before the actual mode transition. This includes anticipating whether the automated system will be capable of handling upcoming complex maneuvers, and preparing the transition timing accordingly to ensure safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the vehicle's driving behavior, comparing actual performance with predicted automated driving preferences, and using this information to determine whether the transition from remote to automated mode is appropriate and safe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the vehicle maintains remote driving mode with insufficient connectivity, then control can be maintained, but the vehicle cannot operate safely without adequate communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperability of vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle performs self-service by using its own driving behavior data and onboard capabilities to determine automated driving preferences and assess whether automated mode is appropriate, reducing dependence on external remote control center connectivity for mode transition decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the vehicle transitions mode without predicting future traffic situations, then the switching can be immediate, but the transition may occur at unsafe moments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of mode switchingVSAvoidsafety of transition timing
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of future traffic situations before executing the mode transition. By anticipating upcoming traffic conditions and comparing them with automated driving preferences, the system determines the optimal timing for transition, ensuring it occurs at a safe moment while maintaining relatively quick switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4040254B1Vehicle, infrastructure component, apparatus, computer program, and method for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4040254B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4040254B1 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) automated driving preferences of the vehicle from driving behavior of the vehicle and predicting (120) information on a future traffic situation for switching from the remote driving mode to the automated driving mode based on the automated driving preferences. Further, method (100) comprises determining (130) a predicted quality of service (pQoS) of a communication link to obtain, based on the predicted quality of service, a remote operation interval for which the vehicle is at least operable in the remote driving mode. The method (100) also comprises (140) obtaining a handover duration for taking over control by the vehicle for switching from the remote driving mode to the automated driving mode and deciding (150) for or against switching from the remote driving mode to the automated driving mode based on the information on the future traffic situation, the remote operation interval, and the handover duration.