Vehicle Control via Portable Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, operators may fail to respond promptly to takeover requests due to engagement in non-driving tasks, posing a risk of ignoring critical vehicle control demands.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that periodically communicates with a portable device via Bluetooth, using biometric sensors and messaging protocols to ensure operator attention and readiness, with actions such as suspending operations or modifying routes if no response is received within a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle operator is engaged in a non-driving task (movie, game, video conference), then the operator can focus attention on other activities, but the operator may intentionally or unintentionally ignore a takeover request issued by a vehicle computer
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the operator's biometric signals (eye tracking, heart rate, galvanic skin response) and using this information to assess operator state and responsiveness to takeover requests, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to operator condition
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by issuing takeover requests in advance before critical situations arise, and by pre-assessing operator readiness through biometric monitoring, allowing the system to prepare for potential takeover scenarios before they become urgent
2Productivity
If the vehicle computer issues a takeover request to an engaged operator, then the operator can resume control of vehicle operations, but the operator might ignore the request due to engagement in non-driving tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses biometric feedback from sensors to determine whether the operator has responded to or is even aware of takeover requests, allowing the system to adapt its communication strategy and assess operator readiness before requiring takeover
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by using biometric monitoring to detect operator engagement levels before issuing takeover requests, and by preparing multiple escalation strategies (audio, visual, haptic) to counteract the operator's potential unresponsiveness
3Loss of time
If the operator is deeply engaged in non-driving tasks, then the operator can maintain focus on those tasks, but the operator may not respond within a predetermined time to takeover requests
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of operator readiness through biometric monitoring before and during takeover request sequences, allowing early detection of unresponsiveness and activation of escalation protocols before time-critical situations develop
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by having pre-prepared escalation strategies (increasing request frequency, changing modalities, involving additional systems) ready to deploy if the operator fails to respond within expected timeframes, counteracting the harmful effect of delays
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle computer is programmed to: detect a portable computing device communicatively coupled to the vehicle computer. The vehicle computer is further programmed to control at least one vehicle operation based at least in part on the presence of the portable device, the at least one vehicle operation including at least one of control of steering, propulsion, and brakes.