Vehicle Jerk Pattern for Automated Driving Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated driving systems face challenges in safely transitioning control from automated to manual mode, particularly when the operator is distracted, as they rely on visual, acoustic, and haptic warnings that may confuse or frighten the driver, risking an unsafe handover.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying a jerk pattern to the vehicle's motion to subtly alert the driver, requiring them to intuitively counteract by steering or accelerating, thereby initiating a safer and more natural transition to manual control, with visual, acoustic, or haptic signals only after the driver has taken over.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional warning signals (visual, acoustic, haptic) are used to alert the driver for handover, then the driver is informed of the need for manual control, but the driver may become confused or frightened leading to unsafe handover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover safetyVSAvoiddriver confusion and fright
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary gentle jerks to the vehicle motion before the driver becomes fully aware of the handover need, subtly preparing the driver for manual control without causing sudden alarm or confusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The warning system transitions from static traditional signals to dynamic motion-based warnings, where the vehicle itself provides the warning through controlled motion changes that the driver can intuitively sense and respond to

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple warning signals are output simultaneously to ensure driver awareness, then the driver is more likely to notice the handover need, but the driver may become overwhelmed and confused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver awarenessVSAvoidwarning signal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the warning function from traditional HMI components (screens, speakers, vibration motors) and transfers it to the vehicle's motion control system, simplifying the warning mechanism to a single intuitive channel that the driver naturally responds to

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle motion acts as an intermediary between the automated driving system and the driver, translating electronic control decisions into physical sensations that the driver intuitively understands and responds to without cognitive overload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the vehicle provides immediate feedback when driver input is detected, then the driver receives confirmation of control takeover, but the automated driving control may interfere with manual control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol takeover confirmationVSAvoidmanual control responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary gentle jerks that anticipate the driver's corrective input, creating a natural feedback loop where the driver's corrective steering or acceleration is met with complementary rather than conflicting automated responses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the automated system immediately counteracting driver input (traditional approach), the system inverts the approach by having the driver's input naturally override and cancel the automated jerks, providing clear confirmation of takeover without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3133454B1Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle having automated driving control capabilities
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3133454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3133454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3133454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus are proposed for controlling a vehicle being configured to operate under automated driving control. The control comprising: controlling a movement of the vehicle under automated driving control based on a target driving condition; monitoring, during controlling the movement of the vehicle under automated driving control, a hand-over criteria for determining whether a hand-over from automated driving control to manual driving control by an operator of the vehicle is required; and controlling the movement of the vehicle under automated driving control such as to apply a jerk pattern to the controlled movement of the vehicle when it is determined that a hand-over from automated driving control to manual driving control is required, wherein the jerk pattern comprises one or more jerks to change a longitudinal and/or lateral acceleration of the vehicle.