Remote Support Interface for Autonomous Vehicle Workload Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing large numbers of vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, results in the creation and processing of extensive data, which is often not organized or distributed effectively for human operators to manage and provide remote support efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A remote support apparatus and method that includes a processor configured to receive state data from vehicles, generate map and state displays, and transmit instruction data to modify autonomous vehicle operations, prioritizing vehicles based on urgency and allocating workload between control stations using indicators and machine learning techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators manually monitor and manage all vehicles, then comprehensive control is achieved, but operator workload and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through autonomous vehicles that automatically report their own state data and receive targeted remote support only when needed, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring while maintaining reliable management
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where state data from vehicles is continuously collected and processed, with urgency levels dynamically adjusted based on vehicle conditions, enabling timely automated responses without operator intervention for routine matters
2Reliability
If all vehicle data is processed centrally, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data processing into hierarchical levels: vehicles generate state data locally, regional servers aggregate and prioritize data by urgency, and central systems handle only critical issues requiring remote support, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system perform different functions tailored to local needs: vehicles autonomously filter their own data, regional centers handle local vehicle management, and central systems provide overarching coordination, optimizing resource distribution and reducing complexity
3Loss of information
If remote support interface displays all vehicle information, then complete situational awareness is achieved, but information overload and interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface extracts and displays only the most relevant information for each vehicle based on urgency level and operator role, separating critical data from routine information to maintain usability while preserving access to complete vehicle state data when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system organizes vehicle information across multiple dimensions including urgency levels, geographic regions, and vehicle types, allowing operators to navigate and filter data according to their specific needs rather than presenting all information in a single overwhelming view
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for remote support of autonomous operation of vehicles have been disclosed. State indicators are generated by a first state display based on state data from a portion of vehicles assigned to a respective first level control station. A second state display is generated for a second control station and displays state indicators for the state data of the vehicles. A remote support interface including the first state display and image data received from a first vehicle of the vehicles is generated. Instruction data to the first vehicle is transmitted using the remote support interface and based on an indication that the first vehicle needs remote support, the instruction data modifying the autonomous operation of the first vehicle. A workload between the first level control stations is allocated by assigning the vehicles using the state indicators of the second state display.