Vehicle Haptic Alert Feedback for Accessible Passenger Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-driving vehicles face challenges in effectively conveying sensor data to users, particularly for passengers with sensory disabilities, as traditional visual and auditory cues may not be accessible or sufficient, leading to potential safety hazards and inadequate user experience.
Innovation Solution
A situational awareness system that utilizes haptic feedback sensors to provide personalized and customized alerts based on sensor data, allowing passengers to perceive environmental information through tactile feedback, thereby enhancing safety and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional visual and auditory cues are used to convey sensor data to users, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the accessibility is insufficient for passengers with sensory disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The alert delivery system is segmented into multiple independent channels: visual displays, auditory speakers, and haptic feedback sensors distributed throughout the vehicle. Each sensor can be independently activated based on the type of alert and passenger needs, allowing the system to address accessibility requirements without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The haptic feedback sensors serve multiple functions: they can indicate various vehicle alerts (collision warnings, obstacle detections, navigation guidance), provide tactile feedback for visually or auditorily impaired passengers, and work in conjunction with traditional visual and auditory systems. This multi-functionality improves accessibility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If haptic feedback sensors are added to provide tactile alerts, then accessibility for passengers with sensory disabilities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects passenger presence and characteristics through sensors, then autonomously determines the appropriate alert delivery method. The control system selects which haptic sensors to activate and what patterns to use without requiring manual configuration by passengers, making the enhanced system as easy to use as traditional alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect passenger presence, position, and responses to alerts. This feedback loop allows the control system to adjust haptic feedback patterns in real-time, optimizing accessibility while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation rather than manual control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple haptic feedback sensors are distributed throughout the vehicle, then the precision of alert delivery is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the vehicle interior are equipped with haptic sensors tailored to specific alert types and passenger interaction zones. For example, seat-mounted sensors provide feedback to seated passengers, while floor or dashboard sensors serve standing or differently positioned passengers. This localized approach improves alert precision while allowing modular manufacturing of sensor assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates only the haptic sensors needed for current alert conditions and passenger configurations, rather than requiring all sensors to be simultaneously functional. This dynamic operation reduces manufacturing requirements while maintaining high precision alert delivery when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively communicates critical vehicle alerts and environmental data to passengers with sensory impairments, improving safety and user experience by providing tailored haptic feedback that complements or replaces visual and auditory cues.
Implementation Method 1
activates at least one haptic feedback sensor based on the vehicle alert... provide personalized and customized alerts based on sensor data, allowing passengers to perceive environmental information through tactile feedback
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods for activating haptic feedback sensors to identify a state of vehicle, which can include receiving sensor data associated with the vehicle, determining a vehicle alert for a passenger of the vehicle based at least in part on the sensor data associated with the vehicle, and activating at least one haptic feedback sensor based at least in part on the vehicle alert for the passenger. Systems and computer program products are also provided.