Vehicle Display Transparency Control for Occluded Risk Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle displays that occlude the field-of-view (FOV) of operators in autonomous vehicles can lead to panic, erratic driving, or accidents when risks, such as pedestrians or adverse weather, are not visible due to the occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts the display by increasing transparency or moving content within the FOV when risks are identified, allowing operators to see critical surroundings even when the vehicle is in autonomous mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If content is displayed on the vehicle display in autonomous mode, then operator entertainment and information needs are met, but operator awareness of surrounding risks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts its transparency based on real-time risk assessment. When risks are detected by sensors, the display transitions from opaque to transparent state, allowing operators to see through the display while maintaining content visibility when safe. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the display properties to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the display (transparency/opacity) in response to detected risks. By modifying the display's transparency parameter from opaque to transparent when risks are identified, the system ensures operator awareness is maintained without permanently sacrificing entertainment functionality during safe autonomous operation.
2Ease of operation
If the display occludes the FOV to provide content, then operator entertainment is improved, but safety during manual takeover is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment continuously before manual takeover is requested. By identifying risks in advance through sensor analysis and adjusting the display transparency proactively, the system ensures operators are already aware of hazards before needing to take control, preventing panic and improving safety during transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to continuously monitor the environment and adjust display transparency accordingly. When sensors detect risks, this feedback triggers the display to become transparent, ensuring operators maintain awareness of surrounding conditions that may require their attention during manual takeover scenarios.
3Loss of information
If the display remains opaque to show content, then information delivery is improved, but operator panic during sudden maneuvers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting risks before they require sudden vehicle maneuvers. By identifying hazards in advance and adjusting display transparency to warn operators proactively, the system prevents the harmful effect of operator panic when sudden maneuvers become necessary, allowing operators to understand and respond to the situation calmly.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adjusting a vehicle display that occludes a view of an operator in response to identifying a risk. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to determining a vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode, displaying content on at least one display within the vehicle that occludes a field-of-view (FOV) of an operator through a window of the vehicle. The method includes analyzing sensor data from at least one sensor of the vehicle to identify a risk associated with a path of the vehicle. The method includes, in response to determining the risk satisfies a risk threshold, adjusting display of the content associated with the display occluding the FOV.