Remote Operator Assistance for Autonomous Vehicle Route Handoffs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating unexpected situations such as road construction, weather events, or mechanical failures, which can lead to inefficient and costly service interruptions, especially when transporting passengers, as their control systems may not be capable of handling all encountered conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote operator assistance system that allows autonomous vehicles to be routed through challenging route components with human operator intervention, where remote operators receive sensor data and provide inputs for steering, braking, or throttle control to assist the vehicle in navigating difficult sections, and can also close route segments if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles rely solely on their control systems, then automation level is high, but reliability deteriorates when encountering unexpected situations
Solution Approach 1:
A remote operator system acts as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle's control system and the external environment. When the autonomous control system encounters unexpected situations it cannot handle, the system automatically connects to a remote operator who provides assistance, thereby maintaining high automation while improving reliability through human intervention when needed.
2Productivity
If autonomous vehicles encounter unexpected situations beyond their control capability, then service continuity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a remote operator assistance system before service interruptions occur. When unexpected situations arise, the autonomous vehicle can immediately connect to remote operators for assistance, avoiding service interruptions and maintaining productivity by having support ready in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous vehicles operate without human intervention, then operational cost is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when facing unpredictable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of human intervention based on the situation. During normal operation, the autonomous vehicle operates independently with minimal human involvement. When unexpected situations are detected, the system automatically transitions to connect with remote operators, providing adaptability without requiring constant human presence or overly complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are autonomous vehicles that may autonomously navigate at least a portion of a route defined by a service request allocator. The autonomous vehicle may, at a certain portion of the route, request remote assistance. In response to the request, an operator may provide input to a console that indicates control positions for one or more vehicle controls such as steering position, brake position, and/or accelerator position. A command is sent to the autonomous vehicle indicating how the vehicle should proceed along the route. When the vehicle reaches a location where remote assistance is no longer required, the autonomous vehicle is released from manual control and may then continue executing the route under autonomous control.