External Vehicle Indicators for Autonomous Mode Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers and third parties find it difficult to identify semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles on the road due to the lack of visible indicators, especially at a distance, which can affect safe following and efficient traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an external indicator on the vehicle and a method to transmit notification information using a transmitter to a receiver, allowing third parties to determine if a vehicle is in autonomous or semi-autonomous mode, with the external indicator being activated automatically when the vehicle is in these modes and displaying this information on a display screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no external indicator is provided on the vehicle, then the vehicle maintains a simple appearance without additional equipment, but drivers and third parties cannot identify whether the vehicle is operating in autonomous or semi-autonomous mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external indicator as an intermediary device that communicates the autonomous mode status of the vehicle to other drivers and third parties. This indicator serves as a mediator between the vehicle's internal autonomous systems and external observers, allowing information about autonomous operation to be transmitted without requiring complex visible equipment like large cameras on the vehicle exterior.
2Loss of information
If large cameras and equipment are mounted on the vehicle to indicate autonomous mode, then the indicator is visible when close up, but it becomes difficult to see when far away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes as a visual signaling mechanism for the external indicator. The indicator can change colors or display different colored lights to indicate different autonomous modes of operation, making it visible and distinguishable from a distance. This approach allows the vehicle to communicate its autonomous status effectively without requiring large physical equipment that would be visible only at close range.
3Device complexity
If semi-autonomous vehicles use invisible sensors and systems, then the vehicle maintains a clean appearance, but other drivers cannot identify the vehicle's autonomous capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The external indicator acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the vehicle's hidden autonomous systems and external observers. It provides a visible signal that communicates the operational mode without requiring the vehicle to display visible sensors or equipment, thus maintaining a clean appearance while still conveying autonomous capability information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for notifying a third party or a third party device (e.g., a mobile phone or a second vehicle) as to whether a first vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode or a semi-autonomous mode. The method includes receiving, at a first electronic control unit, notification information including whether the first vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode or the semi-autonomous mode and a description of or details about the first vehicle and transmitting from a transmitter of the first vehicle to a receiver of the third party device, the notification information. The method also includes displaying, using a display screen of the third party device, the notification information including whether the first vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode or the semi-autonomous mode and the description of or the details about the first vehicle.