Automated Vehicle Control Transfer Near Construction Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicles face challenges in safely navigating construction zones, as existing systems fail to effectively transition from autonomous to manual control when approaching such areas, potentially leading to collisions with construction objects or equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a detector and controller circuit that uses sensors like cameras, radar, and lidar to identify construction zones and objects, and changes the vehicle's mode from automated to manual when the vehicle is within a certain proximity, allowing the occupant to take control, with the aid of digital maps and broadcast information for navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the automated vehicle operates in fully automated mode, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability deteriorates when approaching construction zones due to inability to detect and respond to dynamic construction objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automated and manual control modes based on the vehicle's proximity to construction zones. When construction objects are detected within a threshold distance, the system transitions from automated mode to manual mode, allowing the occupant to take control. This dynamic mode switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the control system to the environmental context, maintaining high productivity in normal conditions while ensuring reliability in construction zones.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle maintains automated control near construction zones, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential collisions with construction objects
Solution Approach 1:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the automated driving function and the occupant. It continuously monitors the environment using sensors (cameras, radar, lidar) and intermediates the control transfer by notifying the occupant and facilitating smooth transition to manual mode when construction zones are detected. This intermediary mechanism ensures that ease of operation is maintained through automated control in safe conditions while reliability is protected by enabling manual override in hazardous conditions.
3Reliability
If the system transfers control to manual mode near construction zones, then reliability is improved through human judgment, but ease of operation deteriorates due to loss of automated control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes: automated mode for normal driving conditions and manual mode for construction zone navigation. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for ease of operation in automated mode while ensuring reliability in manual mode when approaching construction zones. The clear separation of modes with defined transition criteria resolves the contradiction by allowing each mode to excel in its appropriate context.
4Reliability
If sensors and detection systems are enhanced to improve construction zone detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, using the same sensors (cameras, radar, lidar) for both general obstacle detection and specific construction zone identification. The controller is configured to recognize various construction objects (barriers, equipment, workers) using the same detection infrastructure. This universal approach improves reliability for construction zone detection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the sensors serve multiple detection purposes simultaneously.
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 safe navigation through construction zones by transferring control to the human operator when necessary, reducing the risk of collisions and maintaining safety features like automated brakes, even when the occupant is incapacitated.
Implementation Method 1
A system comprising a detector and controller circuit that uses sensors like cameras, radar, and lidar to identify construction zones and objects
Implementation Method 2
A system comprising a detector and controller circuit that uses sensors like cameras, radar, and lidar to identify construction zones and objects
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (10) and method (100) for operating an automated vehicle includes providing a detector (22) and a controller-circuit (28). The detector (22) is configured to detect construction-objects (24). The controller-circuit (28) is configured to, in accordance with a detection of a construction-object (24) by the detector (22), determine that a host-vehicle (12) is proximate to a construction-zone (20). The controller-circuit (28) and the method (100) is also configured to, in accordance with a determination that the host-vehicle (12) is proximate the construction-zone (20), change control of the host-vehicle (12) from an automated-mode (14) characterized by the controller-circuit (28) steering the host-vehicle (12) to a manual-mode (16) characterized by an occupant (18) of the host-vehicle (12) steering the host-vehicle (12).