Smartphone Vehicle Remote Control With User-Guided Path Planning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote-control driving systems for vehicles lack user control over the path the vehicle takes to a destination, often requiring line of sight and failing to adjust to environmental changes, leading to potential crashes.

Innovation Solution

A remote control platform that includes sensors to detect surrounding objects, an electronic control unit to determine vehicle orientation and route, and a user device for rendering a graphical representation, allowing users to specify detailed driving instructions and navigate around obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vehicle determines the optimal path autonomously to the desired location, then the navigation efficiency is improved, but the user control over the path is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoiduser control over path
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation control is segmented into two levels: autonomous path planning for efficiency and user-level path modification for control. The system divides the navigation decision-making into automated components (obstacle detection, route calculation) and manual components (path adjustment, destination selection), allowing both navigation efficiency and user control to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the balance between autonomous operation and user control based on real-time conditions. Users can intervene to modify the path when desired, while the system maintains autonomous optimization for routine navigation, creating a flexible control system that adapts to user needs and environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the remote-control system requires line of sight, then the user can directly observe the vehicle, but the control range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcontrol range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors, cameras, and communication systems as intermediaries to transmit vehicle data and environmental information to the user. This intermediary layer allows the user to monitor and control the vehicle remotely without direct line of sight, extending control range while maintaining monitoring capability through technological mediation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical requirement of direct visual line of sight with electronic sensing and communication systems. Sensors detect obstacles and environmental conditions, cameras provide visual feeds, and wireless communication transmits this data to the user's device, substituting physical presence with electronic mediation to expand operational range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the autonomous driving feature navigates around obstacles automatically, then the convenience is improved, but the ability to adjust to environmental changes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidadjustment to environmental changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors environmental conditions through sensors and provides real-time feedback to both the autonomous navigation system and the user. This feedback loop allows the system to detect environmental changes and either automatically adapt the path or alert the user for manual intervention, maintaining both convenience and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system dynamically adjusts its level of autonomy based on environmental conditions. In stable environments, it operates fully autonomously for convenience, but when significant environmental changes are detected, it transitions to a mode that allows user intervention, maintaining adaptability while preserving convenience in routine conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4126623B1Remote control of vehicle via smartphone
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC
  • EP4126623B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4126623B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4126623B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a remote control platform. The remote control platform includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect one or more objects within a surrounding environment of the vehicle. The remote control platform includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the vehicle and a route that includes a direction of travel. The electronic control unit is configured to navigate the vehicle along the route based on the one or more objects, the direction of travel and the orientation of the vehicle.