CN116155758A

CN116155758A - Method for providing one or more test functions for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN116155758A
Application number: CN202211464955.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·海尔; D·格雷韦; N·G·纳亚克; P·杜普利斯
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2021-11-23
Filing date: 2022-11-22
Publication date: 2023-05-23
Also published as: DE102021213185A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing one or more test functions (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7) for a vehicle (2) by means of localized computing units (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) distributed over a plurality of localities within an area (20), comprising: executing (110) computing instances (8) in localized computing units, wherein one or more of the computing instances are executed in each localized computing unit, wherein each computing instance implements one of the test functions, and is set up to determine a result in response to a call to a test function implemented by the computing instance, wherein each of the test functions is implemented in at least one of the computing instances. Each computing instance (8) is allocated a sub-region (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) according to the locale of the localized computing unit in which the respective computing instance is executed, so as to provide the test functions implemented by the computing instance within the allocated sub-region. A specific test function of the test functions is requested according to the test request. If the vehicle is within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, the requested test function is invoked in a computing instance in which the test function is provided within the sub-area in accordance with the test request to determine a test result.

Description

Method for providing one or more test functions for a vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for providing a vehicle with one or more test functions by distributing localized computing units in a region at a plurality of locations, and to a request computing unit which is set up to request a test function.

Background

Automatically or independently functioning vehicles, e.g., autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles, may use information of internal components such as sensors and control devices as well as information of external sources such as communication infrastructure or cloud services. To ensure proper functioning of the automatically performed functions, the corresponding components may be periodically checked or diagnosed in order to identify faults, such as faults due to aging of the components. If a fault or anomaly is identified, appropriate measures, such as adjustment of input parameters, may be performed.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, a method for providing one or more test functions for a vehicle and a request computation unit are proposed, which have the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the following description.

The invention uses the following measures: one or more test functions or diagnostic functions are provided to the vehicle by localized computing units distributed across a plurality of locations within the geographic area, wherein computing instances are executed in the localized computing units that each implement at least one of the test functions to provide the test function within the assigned sub-area. In case a specific one of these test functions is requested according to a test request, if the vehicle is located within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, the requested test function is called according to the test request in the corresponding computing instance in order to determine a test result. Thus, the requested test function is invoked in a compute instance that is executed in a compute unit corresponding to the locality of the sub-region. Thus, a spatial approach between the vehicle and the computing unit can be achieved, so that advantageously a short time delay is achieved, wherein at the same time a high computing power is ensured, since this is independent of the computing power in the vehicle.

These computing examples are preferably computer programs, but in principle can also be realized wholly or partly in hardware, for example as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit; english: application-specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array; english: field-programmable gate array) or the like. Combinations of computer programs and hardware are also conceivable. Each computing instance implements a test function by means of at least one algorithm and is set up to: when the test function is executed, a test result is determined in response to a call to the test function. These computing instances may be provided, for example, in the form of a so-called Container (Container). These computing instances are executed in the computing units of the computing unit complex. Each computing unit (e.g., a computer or computer system) includes one or more processors each having at least one processor core in which the computing instances (particularly computer programs) are executed. Furthermore, each computing unit comprises a volatile and/or nonvolatile memory in which computing instances implemented as computer programs may be stored, among other things. Each computing unit may be set up to: multiple computing instances are executed simultaneously or in parallel. Each computing unit may be considered to be a particular piece of hardware (e.g., a particular processor, a particular memory, etc.) (which may vary from computing unit to computing unit), which is the same environment in which the computing instance is executed.

The test request may include on the one hand call parameters for the requested test function and on the other hand other requirements. Other requirements may be, for example, response time requirements (i.e., the maximum period of time that the test result must exist, or the point in time to which the test result must exist) or requirements for a computing instance and/or a localized computing unit. The latter may be, for example, security requirements or integrity requirements for the computing instance or computing unit.

In particular, the requested test function is requested in or by the requesting unit or the requesting computing unit, and the test result is transmitted to the requesting computing unit. The request computing unit is in particular an on-board computing unit, a localization computing unit and/or a remote computing unit of the vehicle. The in-vehicle computing unit may also be set up to: test data is collected (which are related to the vehicle) and transferred to the computing instance in which the requested test function is invoked. If the requesting computing unit is one of the localized computing units, a computer program independent of the computing instances may be executed for this purpose.

Also preferred are: in particular, by means of the request computation unit, one or more sub-areas are provided within which the requested test function is provided. Alternatively or additionally, it may be determined or ascertained that: whether the requested test function is provided in one particular sub-area or in a plurality of particular sub-areas. The particular sub-area may be the sub-area in which the vehicle is located or into which the vehicle will drive in the future. Similarly, the plurality of specific sub-areas may be sub-areas through which the set travel route of the vehicle passes. The mentioned determinations can be realized in different ways, wherein combinations thereof are also conceivable. For example, data may be stored in the requesting computing unit (e.g., in the form of a table) that specifies which test functions are provided in which sub-areas or by which of the localization computing units. Such data can likewise be stored in a remote computing unit (for example a so-called background server; which may be identical to or different from the remote computing unit, which may be a requesting computing unit), and from which the requesting computing unit can query the data, wherein the current position of the vehicle and/or the set travel route are taken into account in the corresponding query, i.e. in particular a sub-region spatially located in the vicinity of the vehicle or the travel route is determined. The requesting computing unit may also request such data from the localization computing unit (where the localization computing unit stores such data for e.g. the sub-regions or a part of the localization computing unit, such as a spatially adjacent part). The requesting computing unit may query from the localization computing unit(s), inter alia: which test functions are provided by the respective computing units and/or whether a particular one of these test functions is provided by the respective computing unit. The latter is advantageous in particular when the stored data are no longer up to date or fail in the localization calculation unit such that the test functions initially provided in the sub-area are no longer available in the sub-area.

The method preferably comprises: the travel route is selected or the set travel route is changed according to the requested test function and/or the test request. Thus, if the vehicle is not within the sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, the travel route can be adjusted.

Preferably, provision is made for: if the vehicle is not within the sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, the travel route is selected or altered such that the travel route passes through the sub-area in which the requested test function is provided. Here, the requested test function is invoked once or during the time that the sub-region in which the requested test function is provided is being reached. This embodiment is advantageous in particular if a specific test function is premised on a specific environment (for example road characteristics), since the driving route can then be selected or modified accordingly. For example, it may be ascertained or determined whether the requested test function is provided within the sub-area as described above.

Preferably, the test request includes a response time requirement. Here, if the vehicle is not within the subregion in which the requested test function is provided and/or if the set travel route passes through the subregion in which the requested test function is provided but the response time requirement cannot be complied with, the travel route is selected or modified such that the travel route passes through the subregion in which the requested test function is provided and the response time requirement can be complied with. In this case, the requested test function is invoked once the sub-region in which the requested test function is provided and the response time requirement can be complied with is reached or during the time when the sub-region in which the requested test function is provided and the response time requirement can be complied with is being reached. This design is advantageous to ensure that: the characteristics or states of the vehicle or its components that have to be checked periodically or at specific points in time in order to identify possible faults or damages of the vehicle are indeed checked in time.

The method preferably comprises: and selecting a driving route or changing the set driving route according to the test result. When it is recognized from the test results whether the vehicle has specific characteristics, which are tested by the corresponding test functions, or conditions are met, the travel route may be selected or altered accordingly, so that, for example, if these characteristics are not present or these conditions are not met, a travel route is selected that bypasses a specific area in which these characteristics or conditions are required.

Preferably, the size and/or shape of at least one of these sub-areas is dependent on the test function provided within that sub-area. This is desirable because it allows for consideration of the requirements for the test functions, such as latency requirements.

Preferably, upon invoking the requested test function, the test data is transferred as an invocation parameter to the requested test function. The test data are, for example, sensor data or the like, from which the requested test function determines the state or the characteristics of the vehicle and/or of a component of the vehicle.

The request computing unit according to the invention is designed (in particular in a procedural or in the case of execution of a corresponding computer program) to: performing the method according to the invention, in particular determining whether the vehicle is within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, wherein one or more test functions are provided by localized computing units distributed over a plurality of localities within the area; and if the vehicle is within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, invoking the test function in accordance with the test request in a computing instance in which the requested test function is provided within the sub-area to determine a test result.

In particular, when the control device to be implemented is also used for other tasks and is thus always present, an implementation of the method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or a computer program product having a program code for executing all method steps is also advantageous, since this results in particularly low costs. Finally, a machine readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program as described above is stored. In particular, storage media or data carriers suitable for providing the computer program are magnetic, optical and electrical memory, such as hard disk, flash memory, EEPROM, DVD and the like. It is also possible to download the program via a computer network (internet, intranet, etc.). Such downloading may be effected here in a wired manner or in a cable manner or in a wireless manner (e.g. via a WLAN network, a 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G connection, etc.).

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention emerge from the description and the attached drawing.

The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings and is described below with reference to the drawings according to embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle and exemplary computing units distributed over an area, in which computing units computing instances are executed in order to provide test functions in the area.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary complex of computing

units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 in which computing example 8 is executed in order to provide test functions D1 to D7 in a sub-area. Also shown is a vehicle 2 whose function or functionality should be tested by a test function as desired. Typically, a complex of computing units or instances of these computing units provide test functions for a plurality of vehicles. A plurality of geographically localized (located at a particular location) computing

units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are shown, for example so-called edge servers. Instead of the expression "localization calculation unit", the expression "calculation unit" is also used in simplified form hereinafter, as long as it is clear that one of these localization calculation units is meant.

Similar to a map, FIG. 1 shows a geographic area 20 through which roads 22, 24, over which vehicles may move, are illustratively traversed. The

localization calculation units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are advantageously arranged spatially distributed at different locations within the area 20, so that the vehicle probability of requesting the test function provided is high in the vicinity of the localization calculation units, so that a small time delay or a small signal transit time is achieved in the data communication, whereby time-critical test functions can be transferred from the on-board calculation unit (for example, a controller or a control device of the vehicle 2) into the calculation unit complex. That is, the

localization computing units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are (remote) computing units separate from the vehicle, which may be assigned a location or locus, respectively, i.e. which are localized from the perspective of the vehicle. Preferably, these

localization computing units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are at the Edge (Edge) of a communication network that remains directly connected to the vehicle, i.e. with the aid of a corresponding communication interface to the control device (on-board computing unit) of the vehicle. The communication network is typically a mobile radio network, such as a 4G or 5G network. In the case of a mobile radio network, these

localization calculation units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 may be arranged in the vicinity of base stations and/or in the vicinity of gateways connecting these base stations with the core network of the mobile radio network, so that one localization calculation unit may be assigned to one or more radio cells. There may be a plurality of different computing units at one location or locus.

The vehicle 2 is provided with a controller or control device, i.e. a subscriber's own computing unit, and a mobile radio terminal connected thereto, for example, so that the control device can communicate data with the computing unit of the computing unit complex via a mobile radio connection. In this way, the vehicle 2 can request, in particular, test functions provided by the computing unit complex and/or transmit test data required for the test functions.

In principle, the computing example 8 (for example symbolically depicted in one of the

computing units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is software or a computer program and/or hardware (for example as an ASIC or FPGA) executed in these computing units, which each implement at least one algorithm in order to provide the test functions. That is, a particular test function may be invoked in compute instance 8 implementing the particular test function (in the event that the call parameters and/or test data are passed as long as the test function requires them) to determine at least one test result (e.g., by each algorithm) that is returned to the caller or calling element, respectively.

The term "test function" is to be understood in a general sense as a function, i.e. as a mapping from input values or call parameters to output values or test results, e.g. by means of calculations. The test function checks the state of a particular property, condition, functionality or vehicle component from the collected test data and returns a corresponding result or test result which indicates whether or to what extent the property, condition, functionality and/or result or test result being tested for indicates the (current) state being tested. The input values, in particular the test data, may be, for example, sensor data, state data of the vehicle or of a component of the vehicle, data derived from the sensor data and/or the state data (e.g., sensor and/or state data processed by the on-board computing unit), and/or the like. The sensor data and/or the status data are, for example, related to a specific component of the vehicle to be tested. It is possible that: the test functions are implemented in different ways, i.e. by means of different algorithms that typically provide different test results, wherein if the algorithms are implemented correctly and performed without error, the test results differ only slightly from each other or not at all from each other, i.e. are identical within certain tolerances. One example is to evaluate sensor and/or status data of a component of a vehicle, such as an engine of an automobile, in order to test whether the component is operating properly. Especially in the case of autonomous or partly autonomous vehicles, it is likewise possible to test whether the vehicle or its controller has specific characteristics or satisfies specific conditions.

Each of these computing instances provides the test functions implemented by that computing instance within a sub-region 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 of the region 20. The sub-area in which the test function is provided by the computing instance is based on the locale of the computing unit 4 in which the computing instance is executed. In this figure, the sub-areas 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are drawn as dashed lines. For simplicity, these subregions 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are drawn as circles or part-circles and have the same diameter; different shapes and different sizes are often possible. These sub-areas 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 generally enclose the locus of the respective computing unit. If multiple computing instances are executed in the computing unit, which implement different test functions, these different test functions may be assigned different sub-regions (of different sizes and/or different shapes). This may be the case, for example, when the test functions have different latency requirements or response time requirements. If the test result of the test function has to be taken in a short time, the sub-area is correspondingly smaller than for a test function that has to take the test result after a longer time (e.g. a single radio cell in the above example).

In fig. 1, calculation examples 8 are drawn in (localization)

calculation units

41, 42, 43, 44, 45 (reference numerals are typically only provided for calculation unit 43), which implement test functions D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7. As shown, provision may be made for: by means of the computing instances being executed in a single computing unit, only a subset of all possible test functions is implemented, respectively. This may depend on various factors. One factor is hardware requirements; as such, a single computing unit typically does not have sufficient computing resources to execute computing instances for all possible test functions. A particular test function may also require special hardware components that are not present in all computing units. Another factor may be: the specific test function requires a specific geographical environment, i.e. the morphology or characteristics of the part of the driving route in which the test data is collected, e.g. the part of the driving route is allowed to a specific speed or a specific grade. The frequency with which a particular test function is requested or with what response time requirements are also considered.

For example, in the figure, the computing unit 41 executes a computing instance that implements the test functions D1, D2, D7; the computing unit 42 executes a computing instance implementing the test functions D1, D3; the computing unit 43 executes a computing instance implementing the test functions D2, D4; the computing unit 44 executes computing instances implementing the test functions D3, D6; and the computing unit 45 executes computing instances implementing the test functions D4, D5, D7.

The vehicle 2 travels through this area 20, for example from left to right, wherein different streets or roads 22, 24 may be selected. When the vehicle 2 is in a subregion 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 in which the respective test function is realized by means of a calculation instance, i.e. provided in the subregion, a specific test function of the test functions D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7 can be executed.

It may happen that: such as by a control device of the vehicle or more generally by a requesting unit: the specific driving route is selected such that only the time requirement to which a specific test function has to be executed at the latest can be complied with. In this case, the driving route is preferably selected or modified such that the vehicle is driven in time through the sub-area in which the test function is provided, in order to be able to comply with the time requirement. In this figure, the test function D4 is implemented, for example, only by means of a calculation instance in the

calculation units

43, 45 or is provided in the sub-areas 53, 55, wherein, for example (from the position of the vehicle depicted) when the lower road 22 is selected, this time requirement cannot be complied with due to the arrival at the sub-area 55 too late, but can only be complied with on the upper road 24, since the sub-area 53 is reached in time. Correspondingly, the upper road 24 is selected, or when the lower road 22 is actually desired, the lower road is changed to the upper road 24.

Similarly, if a particular test function D6 places a particular requirement on the design (e.g., grade, possible speed) of the portion of the travel route passing through the sub-region in which that particular test function is provided, then the method may be undertaken. In the illustrated region 20, for example, only the sub-region 54 provides a suitable environment. Here too, the driving route is preferably selected or modified such that it passes through the corresponding sub-region. I.e. in the illustrated example of fig. 1, the upper road 24 is selected instead of the lower road 22.

Another situation in which the driving route is preferably influenced is: the specific area 26 allows only the vehicle that satisfies the specific characteristics or conditions tested by the test function D7 to travel. The area 26 in which only vehicles with specific characteristics are allowed to drive in may be provided for autonomous vehicles or trucks, for example, wherein the time of day or clock time may be additionally taken into account. Examples of corresponding areas 26 are, for example, areas in which schools are located (or other areas in which complex traffic situations may occur or in which increased safety requirements exist) such that, for example, autonomous vehicles are only allowed to drive in if their automatic control has special characteristics or conditions are met. In fig. 1, a test function D7 is provided in two sub-areas 51, 55 on both sides of the area 26. For vehicles that cannot verify these characteristics by means of the test function D7, an overhead road 24 that does not pass through the area is selected. In particular so-called Geofencing (Geofencing) can be realized.

A request for a test function is initiated by a request unit. The requesting unit may be the vehicle itself (i.e. by an on-board computing unit) and/or an off-board computing unit. In any case, the test data required by the test function for determining the test result are transmitted by the vehicle to the computing instance, which implements the respective test function and by means of which the test request is responded to.

When a test function is requested by a computing unit external to the vehicle, it may be that: once the vehicle is within the respective sub-area, the request is initiated automatically by the computing instance implementing the respective test function and/or by the computing unit in which the computing instance is executed (i.e. by the corresponding computer program). This may be the case if the region 26 is only allowed to be travelled by the vehicle 2 if certain characteristics or conditions are met, which are tested by the corresponding test function D7 as exemplarily set forth above.

The vehicle external computing unit may also be a remote computing unit 6, for example a so-called cloud server. Unlike the

localization computing units

41, 42, 43, 45, the remote computing unit 6 is a computing unit (or computing units) located at a location that is not itself determined. The data communication with the remote computing unit is effected firstly via a mobile radio network which establishes a connection directly with the vehicle, for example, and then via a further data communication network, such as the internet, which enables data communication over a long distance. The signal transit time in the data communication between the vehicle 2 and the remote computing unit 6 is generally significantly longer than the signal transit time between the vehicle 2 and the localized computing unit 4 (the latter may be, for example, several milliseconds, while the former may be 10 times greater). The test results may be stored and/or further analyzed by the remote computing unit 6, for example, to determine the status of the vehicle or the status of the components and to identify the aging or wear process of these components.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. An exemplary flow is shown in which test functionality(s) is provided by a localized computing unit, i.e., a computing unit located at a particular location within an area (see fig. 1).

In step 110 (which is performed continuously during other steps), computing instances are performed in these localized computing units. One or more of these computing instances are executed in each of the localized computing units, wherein each computing instance implements one of the test functions and is set up to: in response to a call to a test function implemented by the compute instance, a result is determined. Each of these test functions is implemented in or through at least one of these computing instances. Correspondingly, each test function may be implemented in one or more computing instances, but need not be implemented in each of these computing instances. Each computing instance is assigned a sub-region within which test functions implemented by the computing instance are provided. The sub-regions are allocated according to the locale of the localized computing units.

In step 120, a particular one of the test functions (referred to as the requested test function) is requested according to the test request. The request is made, for example, by a requesting unit.

In a preferred step 130, if the vehicle is not within the sub-area in which the test function is provided, the driving route of the vehicle is selected such that or the set driving route is modified such that the driving route passes through the sub-area in which the test function is provided. The selection or modification may in particular also be such that the time requirements included in the test request (i.e. the maximum period of time during which the test result has to be returned after the request of the test function) can be complied with.

If the vehicle is within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, the requested test function is invoked in step 140 in accordance with the test request in a computing instance in which the test function is provided within the sub-area to determine a test result. In this case, in particular test data (sensor data, etc.) are recorded and transmitted to the computing instance or the test function. If the travel route is selected or modified according to optional step 130, step 140 is performed when or after the corresponding sub-area is reached.

In step 150, the test results are returned, in particular to the requesting unit. In a preferred step 160, a driving route is selected and/or a set driving route is changed based on the test result, for example, when the vehicle has to have a specific characteristic or a condition has to be satisfied in order to allow the vehicle to enter a specific area as described in connection with fig. 1.

Claims

1. A method for providing a vehicle (2) with one or more test functions (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7) by localized computing units (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) distributed over a plurality of localities within an area (20), wherein a travel route of the vehicle passes through the area, the method comprising:

executing (110) computing instances (8) in the localization computing units (41, 42, 43, 44, 45), wherein one or more of the computing instances are executed in each localization computing unit, wherein each computing instance implements one of the test functions and is set up to determine a result in response to a call to the test function implemented by the computing instance, wherein each of the test functions is implemented in at least one of the computing instances (8),

wherein each computing instance (8) is assigned a sub-region (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) of the region (20) according to the locale of the localized computing unit in which the respective computing instance is executed, so as to provide the test functions implemented by the computing instance within the respective assigned sub-region;

requesting (120) a specific one of the test functions according to a test request;

if the vehicle (2) is within a sub-area (51) in which the requested test function (D1, D2, D7) is provided, the requested test function is invoked (140) in a computing instance in which the test function is provided within the sub-area in accordance with the test request in order to determine a test result.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the requested test function is requested in or by a requesting computing unit and the test result is transferred (150) to the requesting computing unit.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the requesting computing unit comprises an on-board computing unit of the vehicle (2) and/or one of the localization computing units (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and/or a remote computing unit (6).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

determining one or more sub-regions within which to provide the requested test function; and/or

It is determined whether the requested test function is provided within a particular sub-area.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

-selecting (130) the travel route (22, 24) or altering the set travel route in dependence of the requested test function and/or the test request.

6. The method according to claim 5, the method comprising: if the vehicle (2) is not within the sub-area in which the requested test function (D6) is provided, then:

selecting the travel route (22, 24) or changing the set travel route such that the travel route passes through a sub-region (54) in which the requested test function (D6) is provided,

wherein the requested test function is invoked (140) upon reaching a sub-region (54) in which the requested test function is provided or during the time that the sub-region in which the requested test function is provided is being reached.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the test request comprises a response time requirement; the method comprises the following steps: if the vehicle (2) is not within the sub-area (53, 55) in which the requested test function (D4) is provided, and/or if the set driving route passes through the sub-area (55) in which the requested test function (D4) is provided but the response time requirement cannot be complied with:

selecting the driving route (22, 24) or changing the set driving route such that the driving route passes through a sub-region (53) in which the requested test function (D4) is provided and the response time requirement can be complied with,

wherein the requested test function (D4) is invoked (140) upon reaching a sub-region in which the requested test function is provided and is capable of adhering to the response time requirement or during the time when the sub-region in which the requested test function is provided and is capable of adhering to the response time requirement is being reached.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

-selecting (160) the travel route (22, 24) or altering the set travel route according to the test result.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the size and/or shape of at least one of the sub-areas (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) is dependent on the test function provided within that sub-area.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein upon invocation of the requested test function (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7), test data is transferred as invocation parameters to the requested test function.

11. A request computation unit, the request computation unit being set up to:

determining whether the vehicle (2) is within a sub-area in which the requested test function is provided, wherein one or more test functions are provided by localized computing units (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) distributed over a plurality of localities within the area; and also

If the vehicle (2) is within a sub-area (51) in which the requested test function (D1, D2, D7) is provided, the requested test function is invoked in a computing instance (8) in which the test function is provided within the sub-area in accordance with a test request in order to determine a test result.

12. The request computing unit according to claim 11, further being arranged to perform the method according to any of claims 2 to 10.

13. A computer program which, when executed on a computing unit, causes the computing unit to perform all the method steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A machine readable storage medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 13.