Vehicle Dynamic Sign for Road User Acknowledgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles lack effective means to communicate their detection of road users, leading to potential safety hazards due to uncertainty among human road users about being acknowledged by these vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dynamic sign, such as an avatar, on autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles to visually acknowledge the presence of road users, using sensors and transceivers to detect and respond to their presence, thereby enhancing interaction and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles operate without human drivers, then productivity and automation are improved, but road user safety and communication effectiveness deteriorate due to lack of acknowledgment signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the autonomous vehicle detects road users via sensors and provides visual acknowledgment through a display device showing icons representing detected pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. This feedback loop confirms to road users that they have been detected, improving safety communication while maintaining autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication layer between the autonomous vehicle and road users. Instead of direct human-to-human communication, the system uses processed visual icons as intermediaries that represent detected road users, translating sensor data into comprehensible acknowledgment signals for both parties.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and detection systems are added to autonomous vehicles, then road user detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that serve both primary navigation/safety functions and secondary road user detection functions. The same sensor array used for obstacle detection and navigation is also utilized to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly processing complex sensor data, the system creates simplified visual copies in the form of icons that represent detected road users. These icons are displayed to provide acknowledgment, transforming complex detection data into simple, comprehensible visual representations that reduce processing complexity.
3Loss of information
If visual acknowledgment displays are implemented, then communication with road users is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual acknowledgment display operates periodically rather than continuously. The system detects road users, displays appropriate acknowledgment icons for the duration of detection, and then stops displaying when no road users are present. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous display operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded icons to convey different types of road users and detection statuses. By using distinct colors for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, the system communicates rich information using simple visual changes that require minimal energy compared to more complex display methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses, computer programs and methods are provided. A method comprises: causing display on an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle (12) of a dynamic sign (14) acknowledging the presence of at least one road user (16).