Steering Wheel Grasp Guidance for Autonomous Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to provide smooth guidance for transitioning from autonomous driving to manual driving by considering the peripheral environment and adjusting operation amount and speed when grasping the steering wheel.

Innovation Solution

A control device that acquires a planned travel route and controls a display portion to show grasping positions of the steering wheel based on vehicle speed and steering angle, with flashing displays guiding future operations and adjusting display speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If grasping positions are displayed based on road state and driver state only, then guidance is provided, but the guidance does not consider the peripheral environment and operation dynamics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance completenessVSAvoidenvironmental consideration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the planned travel route to determine appropriate grasping positions before the transition to manual driving. By pre-calculating the required steering operations based on the route information, the system ensures that the guidance is prepared in advance and considers the future operational requirements, not just the current state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grasping position determination is made dynamic by incorporating the planned travel route information. Instead of using fixed or static criteria, the system adapts the grasping position recommendations based on the dynamic characteristics of the upcoming route, allowing the guidance to evolve as the vehicle approaches different road conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If simple grasping position display is used, then the system is simple, but operation amount and speed adjustment are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperation guidance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters of the guidance by determining grasping positions based on multiple factors including vehicle speed and steering angle information from the planned route. This parameter-based approach allows the system to provide differentiated guidance without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, maintaining system simplicity while improving operational guidance quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If static grasping position guidance is provided, then implementation is simple, but the guidance does not adapt to changing travel plans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidguidance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the actual travel route and comparing it with the planned route. When deviations are detected, the grasping position determination is updated accordingly, ensuring that the guidance remains accurate and reliable even as conditions change during the transition to manual driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250304119A1Control device, steering wheel, vehicle, control method, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The control device, includes: an acquisition section configured to acquire a planned travel route of a vehicle; and a control section that, at a time of transitioning from autonomous driving to manual driving and on the basis of the planned travel route, controls a display portion configured to display grasping positions of a steering wheel that should be grasped by a user.