Steering Wheel Electrical Stimulation for Autonomous Handoff Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in smoothly transitioning control back to drivers, as drivers may not be prepared to assume manual control when the vehicle switches from autonomous to non-autonomous mode, potentially leading to unsafe situations due to lack of readiness or awareness of the handoff.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle alert system uses electrical leads embedded in the steering wheel and seat to deliver electrical currents to the driver, combined with sensors to detect hand presence and occupancy, alerting the driver through mild electrical stimulation and permitting a controlled transition to non-autonomous mode only when the driver is ready.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle transitions directly from autonomous to non-autonomous mode without alert, then the transition speed is fast, but the driver readiness and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting driver presence and hand proximity before initiating the mode transition. The alert is triggered in advance of the actual handoff, allowing the driver to prepare mentally and physically for taking control, thus resolving the contradiction between fast transition and driver readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the mode transition until driver readiness is confirmed through sensor detection. The handoff is blocked if the driver is not detected or hands are not on the wheel, counteracting the potential harm of premature transition and ensuring safety before proceeding.
2Reliability
If electrical current is delivered to alert the driver, then the alert effectiveness is high, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel and seat are designed to serve multiple functions: they are both standard vehicle components for driver interaction and integrated alert delivery mechanisms. The electrical leads embedded in these components allow them to function as both operational controls and alert notification systems, reducing the need for separate alert devices and minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the alert function with existing driver interface components (steering wheel and seat). By combining the notification function with components the driver already interacts with regularly, the system achieves effective alerting without adding separate complex alerting mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between alert effectiveness and system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures a safe and controlled handoff from autonomous to non-autonomous mode by ensuring the driver is aware and prepared, reducing the risk of accidents and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The host vehicle 100 may alert the vehicle driver that the host vehicle 100 is transitioning from the autonomous mode of operation to the non-autonomous mode by, e.g., delivering an electrical current to the vehicle driver using a vehicle component 110
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle alert system includes a processor programmed to receive a handoff request indicating a transition of a host vehicle from an autonomous mode of operation to a non-autonomous mode of operation. The processor is further programmed to output a notification signal in response to receiving the handoff request. A vehicle component is configured to deliver an electrical current to a vehicle driver in response to the notification signal.