Vehicle Control Device for Automated Driving Object Loading Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control technologies do not adequately prevent the forgetting of objects or persons to be loaded when starting automated driving, as they primarily focus on preventing objects from being left behind during exit rather than ensuring all items are loaded before departure.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device and method that includes a recognizer to identify occupants and baggage outside the vehicle, using sensors and cameras to confirm their loading into the vehicle, and a notification system to alert occupants if items are left behind, allowing the vehicle to start automated driving only when all necessary objects are loaded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated driving control is implemented without object loading verification, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of leaving baggage or persons behind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated driving operation efficiencyVSAvoidsafety of automated driving

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of objects to be loaded (occupants and baggage) before automated driving starts. The recognizer identifies objects outside the vehicle that should be loaded, and the controller verifies their loading status before permitting travel start, preventing any object from being left behind.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple detectors (seat belt sensors, cameras, pressure sensors) to continuously monitor whether objects have been loaded. The controller receives this feedback and makes decisions based on the loading status, ensuring reliable automated driving operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple detectors and recognition systems are added to verify object loading, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of object loading recognitionVSAvoidnumber of sensors and controllers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recognizer is designed as a multi-functional system that can identify both occupants and baggage using the same detection infrastructure. The controller also performs multiple functions: recognizing objects, determining loading status, issuing notifications, and controlling vehicle travel start, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the recognition function for both occupants and baggage into a single recognizer module. Additionally, the controller combines notification control and travel start permission control into one unit, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable object loading verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Prevents the forgetting of baggage and persons to board by ensuring all intended items are loaded before starting automated driving, enhancing safety and reliability by ensuring all necessary objects are securely inside the vehicle before initiating travel.

Implementation Method 1

a camera configured to image the inside of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor mounted on a seat of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11377124B2Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle control device includes a recognizer configured to recognize at least a surroundings situation and an in-vehicle situation of a vehicle, and a driving controller configured to perform at least one of speed control and steering control of the vehicle on the basis of a recognition result of the recognizer, the recognizer is configured to recognize an object to be loaded including at least any one of an occupant candidate present outside the vehicle and scheduled to board the vehicle and a baggage candidate present outside the vehicle and scheduled to be loaded into the vehicle, and to recognize that the object to be loaded has been loaded into the vehicle, and the driving controller is configured to permit start of travel of the vehicle in a case where the recognizer has recognized that all of the objects to be loaded have been loaded into the vehicle.