Automated Vehicle Launch at Signals Using Driver Gaze Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle driving functions at signaling units, such as traffic signals, lack the ability to enhance comfort and safety through automated longitudinal guidance, particularly in situations where the driver's attention needs to be confirmed before initiating maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize surroundings and driver sensors to determine the signaling status and driver attention, allowing automated driving off maneuvers only when the driver is aware of the signaling status, with optional notifications and confirmations to increase comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated driving off maneuver is enabled without driver attention verification, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using driver sensors (cameras, microphones) to continuously monitor driver attention status and signaling unit status, then using this feedback information to dynamically control whether automated driving off is permitted. The control device receives sensor data about driver gaze direction, head position, and audio cues to determine if the driver is attending to the signaling unit, and only allows automated maneuver when attention is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of driver attention before enabling the automated driving off maneuver. The driver sensor装置 detects and analyzes driver status in advance, and the control device determines eligibility for automated operation before execution. This preliminary check ensures safety conditions are met before productivity enhancement is activated.
2Reliability
If driver sensors and surroundings sensors are integrated for attention monitoring, then reliability and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver sensors serve multiple functions: they detect driver gaze direction, head position, facial expressions, and audio cues related to signaling unit attention. The surroundings sensors also serve dual purposes by monitoring both traffic conditions and providing contextual information for driver behavior analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges driver sensor data with surroundings sensor data in the control device to create a unified assessment of driver attention and environmental context. Rather than operating independently, the sensor systems are integrated so that their combined information provides more reliable attention detection than either system alone, while sharing processing resources.
3Reliability
If automated driving off is suppressed without driver confirmation, then safety is improved, but ease of operation and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically monitoring its own operational conditions through integrated sensors. The control device autonomously determines whether driver attention criteria are met and whether automated driving off should be permitted, without requiring the driver to manually confirm or reject each maneuver. The system serves itself by using its sensor capabilities to assess readiness for automated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A description is given of a device for operating a driving function for the automated longitudinal guidance of a vehicle at a signaling unit. The device is configured to determine that the vehicle standing at the signaling unit is able to perform an automated driving-off maneuver. The device is further configured to ascertain gaze information in relation to the gaze direction of the driver of the vehicle and to bring about or to prevent the automated driving-off maneuver based on the gaze information.