Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle includes an automated driving system configured to automatically control vehicle steering, acceleration, and braking during a drive cycle without operator intervention. The vehicle additionally includes a wireless communication system configured to communicate with a remote communication device. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to communicate vehicle characteristics data via the wireless communication system. The vehicle characteristics data include a vehicle status identifier indicating automated driving system control of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to, in response to a remote override request from a remote communication device, command the automated driving system to perform a minimal risk condition maneuver to stop the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving alert settings configured by a user through a user interface; and selectively generating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, an auditory alert device, and a visual alert device based on the alert settings.
Abstract:
Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pattern of active haptic periods during which a controller will command a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat of a vehicle to generate haptic pulses, determining a desired voltage of a signal supplied to the haptic actuators that indicates the active haptic periods to generate a desired intensity of haptic pulses, determining an actual voltage of an energy storage device of the vehicle, calculating a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern that simulates the desired voltage when applied to the signal using the actual voltage, and generating a signal that indicates the active haptic periods based on the PWM pattern to command the haptic actuators to generate the desired intensity of haptic pulses.
Abstract:
Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes evaluating conditions related to a vehicle, selecting a type of haptic alert based on the evaluated conditions, selecting a pattern of haptic actuators to command based on the type of haptic alert and a location of the haptic actuators in a seat of the vehicle, selecting a number of active haptic periods to command based on the type of haptic alert, selecting a duration of the active haptic periods and a duration of inactive haptic periods based on the type of haptic alert, and generating a signal indicating the active haptic periods based on the selected pattern of haptic actuators, the selected number of active haptic periods, and the selected duration of the active and inactive haptic periods.
Abstract:
A method and system for driver attention management system may include means for closed-loop diagnostics. A convenience message may alert a driver of an item of interest to the driver. A sensor may detect the driver's response to the convenience message. Based on the response to the convenience message, the characteristics of an attentive response from the driver may be determined. The determined attentive response may be used by a driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be able to diagnose errors in the sensors that are used in the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may also be able to determine whether a driver is exercising sufficient supervisory control of a vehicle by determining whether the driver is attentively responding to prompts provided by the driver attention management system. The driver attention management system may be used in an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system.
Abstract:
A driver alert system includes a computer processor disposed in a vehicle. The computer processor is configured to receive driver attention data over a vehicle network during a driving event. The computer processor executes logic to process the driver attention data and evaluate the driver attention data for a triggering event. The system also includes a steering wheel unit disposed in the vehicle and lights that are integrated on a front windshield-facing surface of a steering wheel of the steering wheel unit. The lights are positioned at an angle to reflect light off of a front windshield of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller disposed in the steering wheel unit. The controller is communicatively coupled to the lights and the vehicle network. The controller receives a request from the computer processor to activate the lights when the triggering event has occurred.
Abstract:
A vehicle imaging system includes an image capture device capturing an image exterior of a vehicle. The captured image includes at least a portion of a sky scene. A processor generates a virtual image of a virtual sky scene from the portion of the sky scene captured by the image capture device. The processor determines a brightness of the virtual sky scene from the virtual image. The processor dynamically adjusts a brightness of the captured image based the determined brightness of the virtual image. A rear view mirror display device displays the adjusted captured image.
Abstract:
Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes determining at least one of interior conditions and exterior conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat. The method further includes calculating at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern and an on/off compensation pattern based on the determined interior conditions and exterior conditions. The method further includes generating a signal with active periods that include at least one of the calculated patterns to command the plurality of haptic actuators to produce haptic pulses.
Abstract:
A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving conditions data from one or more collision avoidance systems; determining an alert mode based on the conditions data; and selectively coordinating an alert pattern for more than one of haptic alert devices, visual alert devices, and auditory alert devices based on the alert mode.
Abstract:
A method and system may manage the driver's attention while driving. The driver may be driving using an autonomous driving system or limited-ability autonomous driving system. A steering wheel device may indicate to the driver a level of required supervisory control of a vehicle. The steering wheel device may include indicators to flash lights, vibrate, or provide other indicators. The indicators may have distinct levels of intensity for each level of supervisory control required to safely control a vehicle.