Weighted Control Blending for Autonomous Vehicle Manual Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in seamlessly integrating manual control inputs with autonomous systems, often requiring a complete deactivation of autonomous modes when manual inputs are received, which can disrupt smooth operation and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assign weights to both manual and autonomous control inputs, allowing the autonomous operation to be influenced by manual inputs without deactivation, based on driving environment classification and driver preferences, ensuring a balanced and harmonized control mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous operation is completely deactivated upon receiving manual control inputs, then manual control authority is maximized, but operational smoothness and safety are reduced due to complete mode switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges manual control inputs with autonomous control inputs into a unified control signal that simultaneously incorporates both sources. The weighted combination allows the system to maintain autonomous operation while responding to manual inputs, avoiding complete deactivation and mode switching. This integration resolves the contradiction by enabling both manual authority and operational smoothness to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the weight assigned to manual control inputs based on the type of input received. Different weights are assigned to different control inputs (e.g., steering wheel torque vs. accelerator pedal position), allowing the system to respond appropriately to each input while maintaining overall autonomous operation. This dynamic weighting resolves the contradiction by providing differentiated manual authority while preserving operational smoothness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous operation is completely deactivated upon receiving manual control inputs, then driver intent is fully recognized, but continuous autonomous monitoring and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the autonomous system continues to monitor vehicle operation and environment even when manual inputs are received. The weighted combination of controls allows autonomous sensors and processors to continue providing safety monitoring while the system responds to driver intent through manual inputs. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by maintaining both driver intent recognition and continuous autonomous safety monitoring.
3Ease of operation
If complete mode switching occurs between autonomous and manual operation, then control clarity is improved, but operational disruption and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges manual and autonomous control inputs into a single weighted control signal that avoids complete mode switching. The unified control approach maintains operational continuity while still providing clear control responses to driver inputs. This resolution eliminates the harmful effects of complete deactivation while preserving control clarity through the weighted response mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Mixed autonomous and manual control of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle can include an operational mode in which the vehicle operates autonomously but is influenced by a mix of autonomous control inputs and manual control inputs. A first weight can be assigned to manual control inputs, and a second weight can be assigned to autonomous control inputs. The assigned first and second weights can be applied to a vehicle system. Responsive to receiving a manual control input, the autonomous operation of the vehicle can be caused to be influenced by the received manual control input in an amount corresponding to the first weight without deactivating the autonomous operation of the vehicle.