Assisted Vehicle Trajectory Selection for Driver-Adaptive Path Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining drivable trajectories in vehicles do not adequately account for driver-specific characteristics and environmental conditions, leading to potentially unpleasant experiences during automated driving, particularly in trained parking scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method that evaluates multiple drivable trajectories using a quality measure, considering both vehicle-specific and driver-specific characteristics, and adjusts the reference trajectory based on actual driving conditions and preferences, to select the most suitable path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a reference trajectory is used for automated driving, then the driving path is determined, but driver-specific characteristics and environmental conditions are not adequately considered

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to driver preferencesVSAvoidComplexity of trajectory evaluation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a quality measure that evaluates trajectories based on multiple parameters including driver-specific characteristics (e.g., sporty vs. conservative driving style), vehicle-specific characteristics, and environmental conditions. This allows the system to adapt the reference trajectory to match driver preferences and current conditions without requiring a completely complex new system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple candidate trajectories using the quality measure before selecting the final drivable trajectory. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-assess trajectories based on driver characteristics and environmental conditions, ensuring the selected trajectory aligns with driver preferences before execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple trajectories are evaluated using quality measures, then optimal path selection is improved, but computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePrecision of trajectory quality assessmentVSAvoidComputational power required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The quality measure uses parameter changes to evaluate trajectories by comparing candidate trajectories against the reference trajectory across multiple dimensions (position deviation, driving dynamics, environmental factors). This structured parameter-based approach enables precise assessment without requiring excessive computational resources, as it focuses on specific measurable parameters rather than exhaustive analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system evaluates multiple trajectories but focuses computational resources on the most promising candidates by using the quality measure to filter and rank them. Rather than exhaustively analyzing every possible trajectory in extreme detail, the system performs partial evaluation on a manageable set of candidate trajectories, achieving sufficient precision without excessive computational power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If driver-specific characteristics are incorporated into trajectory evaluation, then driving experience is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser satisfaction with automated drivingVSAvoidComplexity of driver profile integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates driver-specific characteristics by introducing parameters that represent different driving styles (e.g., sporty, conservative) into the quality measure. These parameters allow the system to evaluate trajectories in a way that matches driver preferences, improving ease of operation and user satisfaction without requiring complex driver profiling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The quality measure serves multiple functions: it evaluates trajectory geometry, assesses driving dynamics, considers environmental conditions, and accommodates different driver preferences all within a single unified framework. This multi-functionality improves user satisfaction while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each evaluation aspect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4108545B1Method for determining a current trajectory for an at least partially assisted vehicle, and assistance system

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 VOLKSWAGEN AG

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a currently drivable trajectory (17) for a motor vehicle (7) that is at least partially assisted by means of an assistance system (1), in which a reference trajectory (18) is specified and in which a plurality of further potentially drivable trajectories (16) are determined, wherein for each further trajectory (16) a respective quality measure (13) is determined by means of an electronic computing device (2) of the assistance system (1) depending on the reference trajectory (18) and depending on the determined quality measure (13) the currently drivable trajectory (17) is determined from the plurality of further potentially drivable trajectories (16) by means of the electronic computing device (2), in which the quality measure (13) takes into account vehicle-specific properties (8) and/or driver-specific properties (9).Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product and an assistance system (1).