Steering Wheel Locking for Shared Autonomous Steering Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interface (HMI) control systems for vehicles struggle to seamlessly integrate user input with autonomous driving systems, particularly in situations requiring autonomous steering maneuvers, leading to confusion and loss of user control.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor and memory with a human-machine interface module that identifies events requiring autonomous steering based on sensor data, decouples handwheel control, locks the handwheel, and determines autonomous steering maneuvers influenced by isometric torque inputs from the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the autonomous driving system takes over steering control, then autonomous maneuvering capability is improved, but user control and confidence are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides haptic feedback through the steering wheel by applying resistive torque when the autonomous driving system is controlling the vehicle. This feedback mechanism maintains user awareness and perceived control while the autonomous system operates, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and user control by making the automation state tangible to the user through force feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel acts as an intermediary device that transmits both autonomous control commands and user intent to the vehicle's steering system. By maintaining the physical connection between user and vehicle through the steering wheel while enabling autonomous override, the system mediates between full automation and user control, allowing seamless transition and shared control modes.
2Measurement precision
If the handwheel is locked during autonomous steering, then autonomous control precision is improved, but user input responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel locking mechanism operates dynamically, transitioning between locked and unlocked states based on operational mode. During autonomous steering, the wheel is locked to precision control; when user input is detected or autonomous mode ends, the lock releases to allow responsive user control. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by applying precision control only when needed while maintaining responsiveness when user intervention is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory has a human-machine interface module having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify, influenced by sensor data regarding a vehicle and an environment in which the vehicle operates, an event in which the vehicle should perform an autonomous steering maneuver determined by an autonomous driving system. The instructions further cause the processor to, in response to identifying the event, decouple control of a steering rack of the vehicle by a handwheel of the vehicle and lock the handwheel to prevent the handwheel from substantially moving. The instructions further cause the processor to determine, by the autonomous driving system, the autonomous steering maneuver to be performed by the vehicle influenced by an isometric torque input applied to the handwheel and detected by the processor when the handwheel is locked.