Remote Vehicle Intervention for Suspended Autonomous Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and driver-assist vehicles may become suspended or disabled due to unexpected road conditions when their on-board data processing systems cannot process sensor data or determine the proper course of action, leading to safety issues and costly service interventions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows vehicles to transmit visual data to a remote operator, either human or AI, for direct command or decision-making assistance, enabling the vehicle to update its operation based on aggregated information and sensor inputs, thereby overcoming operational suspensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the on-board data processing system operates autonomously without remote intervention, then the vehicle can maintain operational independence and response speed, but the system becomes vulnerable to suspensions when encountering unexpected road conditions it cannot process
Solution Approach 1:
A remote operator serves as an intermediary between the vehicle's on-board data processing system and the external environment. When the autonomous system encounters unexpected road conditions it cannot process, the remote operator receives visual data from the vehicle's sensors, analyzes the situation, and provides decision-making assistance or direct commands to resolve the operational suspension, thereby maintaining vehicle operation continuity without requiring complex redundant on-board systems
2Reliability
If the vehicle transmits visual data to a remote operator for decision-making assistance, then the vehicle can overcome operational suspensions and improve safety, but the system requires additional communication infrastructure and remote operator resources
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's on-board data processing system maintains primary control and autonomy, only initiating communication with the remote operator when it encounters situations it cannot process. The system serves itself by independently handling routine operations and automatically requesting remote assistance only when necessary, minimizing the need for continuous complex communication infrastructure while improving safety through targeted remote intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If the remote operator provides direct command control, then the vehicle can be controlled through any road condition, but the vehicle loses operational autonomy and requires constant remote monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of autonomy and remote involvement based on the complexity of the road conditions. For routine situations, the vehicle operates fully autonomously with high automation. When encountering unexpected or complex road conditions, the system dynamically transitions to request remote operator assistance, creating a flexible hybrid mode that adapts to varying operational requirements rather than maintaining a fixed level of control
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies disclosed relate to a remote intervention system for the operation of a vehicle, which can be an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle that includes driver assist features, a vehicle used for ride sharing services or the like. The system includes a vehicle sending a request for remote intervention to a remote operator when the operation of the vehicle is suspended. The request for remote intervention can include a request for object identification or a request for decision confirmation. The vehicle can update vehicle operation based in part on vehicle-based sensor data and a response to the remote intervention request from the remote operator. The remote operator can be a human operator or an AI operator.