Autonomous Driving Transition Control via Road Segment Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for transitioning from autonomous driving to manual driving in vehicles are primarily based on vehicle status and can occur in potentially dangerous road sections, such as those with bad weather or curves, leading to unsafe situations if the driver is not reactive enough.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines and classifies road segments suitable for transitioning from autonomous to manual driving by analyzing driving route data, including road conditions, traffic, weather, and other attributes, allowing for anticipation or postponement of the transition to ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transition from autonomous driving to manual driving is based on vehicle status only, then the transition control is simple, but the transition may occur in potentially dangerous road sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of road segments into transitioning and none-transitioning segments before the actual transition occurs. By analyzing road section attributes (curves, roundabouts, tunnels, weather conditions) in advance, the system identifies safe transition zones ahead of time, allowing the autonomous driving system to notify the driver and prepare for transition in advance rather than reacting at the last moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving route is divided into multiple road segments, each classified as either transitioning or none-transitioning based on safety criteria. This segmentation allows the system to selectively permit transitions only in safe segments while prohibiting them in dangerous sections, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple control and safe transition locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transition is allowed in any road section, then the driver has flexibility in taking control, but the transition may happen in unsafe locations such as curves or tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
Different road segments are assigned different qualities or properties regarding transition suitability. Transitioning segments have the property of being safe for handover, while none-transitioning segments have the property of being dangerous. This local differentiation allows driver flexibility within safe zones while automatically preventing transitions in hazardous areas like curves, roundabouts, and tunnels.
3Speed
If transition notification is provided only when unsafe sections are ahead, then the system reacts to danger, but the transition may still occur in dangerous locations if driver reaction is slow
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reacting when danger is detected, the system performs preliminary identification of safe transition segments and notifies the driver in advance that a safe transition zone is available. This gives the driver sufficient time to prepare and take control before entering a none-transitioning segment, eliminating the risk of delayed reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the driver about the availability of safe transition segments ahead. This feedback mechanism informs the driver of upcoming transitioning segments, allowing proactive preparation for handover in safe conditions rather than reactive response to danger.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling a transition from autonomous driving of a vehicle (1) to manual driving of the vehicle in road segments of a driving route of the vehicle that are suitable for the transition, the method is characterized by the steps of: determining a driving route (10) from a starting location (11) to a target location (12) represented by a driving route data set stored on a storage unit (4), determining a current position (20) of the vehicle in the determined driving route, wherein the current position of the vehicle is represented by a vehicle position date set stored on the storage unit, determining a current route condition of the determined driving route, wherein the current route condition is represented by a route condition data set stored on the storage unit, segmenting the determined driving route into road segments (30) by means of a computer system depending on the driving route data set and/or the vehicle position data set and/or the route condition data set, wherein each road segment is represented by a road segment data set stored on the storage unit, classifying each road segment ahead of the vehicle as transitioning segment or none-transitioning segment by means of the computer system, wherein a road segment that is classified as transitioning segment (31) is a road segment suitable for transitioning from autonomous driving of the vehicle to manual driving of the vehicle, and a road segment that is classified as none-transitioning segment (32) is a road segment not suitable for transitioning from autonomous driving of the vehicle to manual driving of the vehicle, wherein the road segment is classified depending on the road segment data, and controlling the transition from autonomous driving to manual driving depending on the classification of the classified road segments ahead of the vehicle.