Vehicle Control Device for Automated Following Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle following systems automatically start following a preceding vehicle without considering the presence of occupants or cargo, potentially leaving them behind or disturbing sleeping passengers, and lack user control over when to initiate following.
Innovation Solution
A control device for vehicles that includes a processor to determine whether to start following another vehicle based on the presence of a user inside the vehicle or user instructions, allowing for user-defined settings to manage when to initiate following, using a combination of ECUs, cameras, LIDARs, radars, and communication devices for safe and controlled automated driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the following vehicle automatically starts to follow the preceding vehicle, then the productivity of the automated driving system is improved, but the safety is worsened due to potential left-behind occupants or cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary detection of occupant presence and cargo status before initiating the automated following action. The detection unit checks whether occupants or cargo are present in the following vehicle before the vehicle starts to follow the preceding vehicle, preventing harmful outcomes before they can occur.
2Ease of operation
If the following vehicle automatically starts to follow the preceding vehicle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to potential disturbance to sleeping occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of occupant presence in the following vehicle before initiating automated following. If an occupant is detected, the system delays or prevents the following action, ensuring occupant comfort and safety before automated operation begins.
3Reliability
If the following vehicle waits for user confirmation before starting to follow, then the safety is improved by ensuring user intent, but the productivity is worsened due to additional time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary checks of occupant presence and cargo status before the vehicle needs to respond to following requests. By completing safety verifications in advance, the system minimizes delays when actual following initiation is required, balancing safety verification with responsive operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device of a vehicle is provided. The device controls travelling of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows another vehicle based on information received from the other vehicle; and determines whether to allow the vehicle to start to follow another vehicle based on at least one of whether a user of the vehicle is inside the vehicle or an instruction from the user. The processor starts to follow another vehicle in a case where the travel control circuit is allowed to follow the other vehicle.