Autonomous Vehicle Controller Redundancy for Minimum Risk Maneuvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous driving systems cannot perform a minimum risk maneuver (MRM) if the main controller fails, posing a safety risk during autonomous vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus with multiple controllers, including a first chassis subcontroller, a second primary controller, and a third secondary controller, which can detect failures and autonomously perform MRM functions, even without receiving commands from the primary or secondary controllers, ensuring continuous vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional autonomous driving system uses a single main controller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the main controller fails during autonomous driving
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers: a first controller for safety control, a second controller for primary autonomous driving control, and a third controller for secondary autonomous driving control. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even when one controller fails, as other controllers can take over critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by preparing backup control capabilities through multiple controllers before any failure occurs. The first controller is specifically designed to perform safety control functions and minimum risk maneuvers as a cushion against potential failures of the second or third controllers, ensuring continuous safe operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the autonomous driving system performs minimum risk maneuver functions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The first controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a safety control system and as a backup autonomous driving controller capable of performing minimum risk maneuvers. This universality allows the system to adapt to failures without requiring entirely separate dedicated backup systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling the autonomous driving system to automatically detect controller failures and autonomously execute minimum risk maneuvers without requiring external intervention. The first controller can independently detect failures of the second or third controllers and automatically perform necessary safety maneuvers.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors controller status, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy increases due to constant monitoring and communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where controllers periodically exchange status information through communication protocols. The first controller receives feedback from the second and third controllers regarding their operational status, enabling reliable failure detection through continuous but efficient monitoring that balances energy consumption with safety requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control apparatus and a method thereof. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a vehicle control apparatus that includes: a first controller configured to control one or more safety features of a vehicle; a second controller configured to perform primary control of autonomous driving of the vehicle; and a third controller configured to perform secondary control of the autonomous driving of the vehicle. The first controller may be further configured to determine whether the second controller or the third controller fails during the autonomous driving of the vehicle, and, based on determining that the second controller of the third controller has failed, perform an autonomous driving function of the vehicle.