Driver Steering Override Thresholds Under External Threat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated driving systems lack a consistent and natural method for drivers to override path-based automated driving assist features, especially when external threats are present, which can lead to inconsistent driver override feel across different modes and scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine a driver override threshold based on the type of path-based automated driving assist mode, safety barrier classification, and vehicle dynamics, allowing for adaptive control signals to manage steering override, ensuring a natural driver override feel and consistent performance across various modes like lane keep assist and lateral impact avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed override threshold is used for path-based automated driving assist, then the system is simple to implement, but the driver override feel is inconsistent across different modes and scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic override thresholds that adapt based on the current automated driving mode (lane keep assist, lateral impact avoidance, hands-on lane centering) and detected external threats. The threshold is no longer fixed but varies dynamically according to operational context, providing consistent driver override feel across different modes while maintaining system manageability through structured adaptation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the override threshold parameter based on different operating conditions and detected threats. By adjusting this critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves consistent driver override experience across various automated driving modes without requiring complete redesign of the override mechanism, thus balancing performance improvement with implementation complexity.
2Speed
If the driver override threshold is lowered to allow easier override, then driver control responsiveness is improved, but safety may be compromised when external threats are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different override thresholds for different lateral sides of the vehicle based on detected external threats. When a threat is detected on one side, the threshold is adjusted specifically for that side, allowing the system to maintain high driver control responsiveness where safe while preventing unsafe overrides toward threats, thus achieving localized safety management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of external threats and preemptively adjusts override thresholds to prevent unsafe driver actions before they occur. By detecting threats in advance and setting appropriate threshold barriers, the system stops potentially harmful overrides before they can compromise vehicle safety, while still allowing rapid legitimate driver intervention when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling steering of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: operating, by a processor, the autonomous vehicle in a path-based automated driving assist mode; receiving, by the processor, driver input including a driver torque; classifying, by the processor, an operation mode based on a type of the path-based automated driving assist mode; determining, by the processor, an override threshold for overriding the path-based automated driving assist mode on a first lateral side of the autonomous vehicle based on the operation mode; determining, by the processor, a driver override status based on the override torque threshold; and generating, by the processor, control signals to control the steering of the autonomous vehicle based on the driver override status and the driver torque.