Remote Vehicle Alert Mode for Pedestrian-Aware Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively control moving objects in environments where various types of individuals, including inexperienced or visitors, may approach, necessitating a more nuanced and responsive control mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes a controller to detect target individuals using cameras and learning models, adjust vehicle speed and emissions, and switch to an alert mode to ensure safe operation, particularly in manufacturing environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the moving object operates at normal speed in areas where various types of persons may approach, then productivity is maintained, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to potential collisions with inexperienced persons or visitors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the moving object's speed based on real-time detection of persons in the environment. When persons are detected, the speed is automatically reduced to a safe level; when no persons are present, normal speed is restored. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making safety conditional on environmental context rather than imposing constant speed restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors detect persons, the controller processes this information, and the moving object's speed is adjusted accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond adaptively to changing conditions, maintaining safety when needed while preserving productivity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the system implements comprehensive person detection and alert mode, then safety improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a camera that serves multiple functions: it captures images for remote control operations and simultaneously detects persons in the environment. By making the camera multi-functional, the system achieves enhanced safety through person detection without adding dedicated detection hardware, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control signals for remote operation and alert signals for person detection are merged into a single communication channel between the camera control unit and the vehicle controller. This consolidation reduces the number of separate systems and interfaces needed, thereby controlling system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4432041B1System and method of remotely controlling a mobile vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4432041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432041B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4432041B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A controller used in a system that moves a moving object by remote control comprises: a whereabouts determination unit, if a first detection unit provided at the system detects a target person, the whereabouts determination unit determining whereabouts of the target person on the basis of a detection result of the target person by the first detection unit; a moving object specification unit that specifies the moving object being controlled by the remote control and likely to approach the target person on the basis of the determined whereabouts; and a signal transmission unit that transmits a control signal to the specified moving object. The control signal is a signal for changing a driving mode of the moving object to an alert mode for giving an alert against the target person.