Remote Override Control for Self-Driving Vehicle Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face risks of computer malfunction, sensor failure, hacking, and loss of control when operating without a human driver, making it difficult for rightful owners or law enforcement to intervene in case of malfunctions or malicious activities.
Innovation Solution
A self-driving vehicle system that allows remote user control via a remotely situated vehicle control device, which receives first-person view images from cameras and enables users to control the vehicle within predetermined parameters, ensuring safe operation and override of autonomous systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle operates autonomously without a human driver, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and safety decrease due to risks of computer malfunction, sensor failure, hacking, and loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote user and remotely situated control device as intermediaries between the autonomous vehicle system and external control. The remote user receives FPV images and can provide supplemental control input through the remote control device, serving as a mediator who can intervene when the autonomous system fails or is compromised, thus maintaining reliability while preserving autonomous operation benefits
2Reliability
If remote control capability is added to the autonomous vehicle, then reliability and safety are improved through user intervention, but device complexity increases due to additional communication and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The processor in the autonomous vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both the autonomous control functions and the remote control reception functions. The radiofrequency data transceiver and processor handle both autonomous sensor data processing and remote supplemental control input integration, reducing the need for completely separate control systems and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle operates without a human in the driver's seat, then ease of operation is improved for unmanned applications, but the ability to override autonomous system in case of failure is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the override capability from the traditional spatial dimension (human physically present in driver's seat) to a remote dimension. The remote user, situated outside the vehicle, can provide supplemental control input through the remote control device, creating a new dimensional approach to maintaining override capability while preserving unmanned operation benefits
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle self-driving vehicle system comprises a self-driving vehicle and a remotely situated vehicle control device in data communication with vehicle and operable by a user situated outside of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises sensors and a processor configured to generate steering, acceleration and braking control signals. The vehicle has a GNSS receiver for determining a location of vehicle, a radiofrequency data transceiver, and a first-person view (FPV) camera for generating FPV images transmitted to the remotely situated vehicle control device. The processor is further configured to receive supplemental vehicle control input from the remotely situated vehicle control device, and wherein the processor is further configured to modify the steering, acceleration and braking control signals based on the supplemental vehicle control input. The remotely situated vehicle control device displays FPV images and receives the supplemental vehicle control input, and transmits the supplemental vehicle control input data to the self-driving vehicle.