DE102018221144A1 - Rear area monitoring method and rear area monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for monitoring the rear area of a motor vehicle (10) is described. A rear area behind the motor vehicle (10) is monitored. At least one motor vehicle parameter of a motor vehicle (20) approaching the motor vehicle (10) from behind is determined. In addition, the determined motor vehicle parameter is used to calculate whether there is a risk of a collision with the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind. A rear area monitoring system (12) is also described.

Description

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the rear area of a motor vehicle and a rear space monitoring system for a motor vehicle.

Rear area monitoring systems for motor vehicles are known from the prior art, which are used exclusively for parking. These rear area monitoring systems serve to optically detect a close range behind the motor vehicle and, for example, to display a corresponding video signal on a screen in the motor vehicle interior in order to inform the vehicle driver of obstacles in the rear space of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, so-called adaptive cruise control systems or automatic distance control systems are known from the prior art, which are also referred to as “adaptive cruise control” (ACC). In these systems, the speed of a motor vehicle is automatically reduced as soon as an obstacle is recognized and a defined safety distance from the obstacle has been undershot. These systems can also have a so-called emergency braking system or emergency braking assistant, which initiates full braking of the motor vehicle. Systems of this type are designed to monitor the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle, that is to say motor vehicles in front or other objects in front of the motor vehicle.

In systems of this type, it has been found that the detection of obstacles at the end of the traffic jam is difficult, as a result of which the implementation is complex and expensive in order to effectively prevent a collision, in particular a rear-end collision.

The object of the invention is to be able to prevent a collision of motor vehicles with simple means.

• - Überwachen eines Rückraums hinter dem Kraftfahrzeug,
• - Ermitteln wenigstens eines Kraftfahrzeugparameters eines sich dem Kraftfahrzeug von hinten nähernden Kraftfahrzeugs, und
• - Berechnen anhand des ermittelten Kraftfahrzeugparameters, ob eine Kollision mit dem sich von hinten nähernden Kraftfahrzeug droht.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method for monitoring the rear area of a motor vehicle, with the following steps:

• - monitoring a rear area behind the motor vehicle,
• - Determining at least one motor vehicle parameter of a motor vehicle approaching the motor vehicle from behind, and
• - Using the determined motor vehicle parameter, calculate whether a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind threatens.

Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention by a rear area monitoring system for a motor vehicle, with a control and arithmetic unit, at least one sensor, which monitors the rear area behind the motor vehicle, the control and arithmetic unit being coupled to the sensor for data acquired by the sensor to receive and evaluate, wherein the control and computing unit is designed to determine a possible collision with a motor vehicle approaching from behind.

The basic idea of the invention is that the rear space of a motor vehicle is monitored, the corresponding rear space monitoring or the rear space monitoring system of the motor vehicle determining a motor vehicle parameter of the motor vehicle approaching from behind in order to be able to conclude from this that a possible collision can occur. The corresponding steps are therefore carried out by the motor vehicle that includes the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system. In contrast to the adaptive cruise control systems or emergency braking systems known from the prior art, in which the approaching motor vehicle detects an obstacle in front, the rear space monitoring is carried out according to the invention in the motor vehicle that another motor vehicle is approaching from behind.

It is therefore provided that it is determined whether or not the motor vehicle approaching from behind will potentially cause a rear-end collision or a collision with the motor vehicle, which has the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system.

For this purpose, the motor vehicle approaching from behind is first detected and at least one motor vehicle parameter of the motor vehicle approaching from behind is determined. This can be done via the internal control and computing unit of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle parameter is then used to calculate how the motor vehicle approaches the motor vehicle from behind with the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system.

When calculating on the basis of the at least one determined motor vehicle parameter, it can accordingly be determined whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind can come to a standstill in good time and thus prevent a collision or whether a collision is very likely or inevitable. In other words, it is calculated whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind can still prevent the collision or not. Likewise, the determined motor vehicle parameters can be used to calculate whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind has already initiated emergency braking.

For this purpose, the at least one motor vehicle parameter can also be recorded and evaluated over a certain period of time in order to determine a change in the motor vehicle parameter over time, about which further information can be obtained.

It can also be provided that the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system is (only) activated when the motor vehicle falls below a speed threshold, as is the case, for example, at the end of the traffic jam.

In general, the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system is designed to monitor the rear area behind the motor vehicle in the distance, that is to say in the far field, so that a motor vehicle approaching from behind can be recognized in good time in order to determine the corresponding motor vehicle parameter.

One aspect provides that a warning signal is output to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle and / or to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle approaching from behind, in particular an optical warning signal and / or an acoustic warning signal. The vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle, for example the vehicle driver of the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring, can be warned accordingly, this being done optically and / or acoustically. For this purpose, loudspeakers and / or screens can be provided in the motor vehicle interior, which are controlled accordingly. In particular, it concerns the loudspeakers or the screen of a multimedia system of the motor vehicle, which is usually present in modern motor vehicles.

Alternatively, a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle approaching from behind can be warned by means of the warning signal. The warning signal can be an optical warning signal which is output via the hazard warning system or the brake lights of the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring. This is intended to draw the driver's attention to the motor vehicle in front of the motor vehicle approaching from behind, so that the motor vehicle can initiate emergency braking in good time. For example, the brake lights are triggered in a pulsating manner, which means that the driver can be made aware of the danger more quickly because there is a changing light in his field of vision, which is detected more quickly.

Another aspect provides that the at least one motor vehicle parameter is a current speed, a change in speed, a deceleration, an acceleration and / or a used lane of the motor vehicle approaching from behind. In this respect, the rear area monitoring can determine in which lane the motor vehicle approaching from behind is located, in particular whether it is the same lane. Furthermore, the rear area monitoring can determine the speed or change in speed at which the motor vehicle approaching from behind is approaching. In this way, it can be concluded that braking (deceleration) of the motor vehicle approaching from behind has already been initiated. Acceleration of the motor vehicle approaching from behind could also be determined.

The motor vehicle parameters can be evaluated over time in order to infer a movement course of the motor vehicle approaching from behind. This enables the probability of the collision to be determined more precisely. In particular, it can thus be calculated in a simple manner whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind is already braking, in particular emergency braking has already been initiated.

Furthermore, it can be provided that environmental parameters are determined and taken into account in the calculation. In this respect, in addition to the at least one motor vehicle parameter, further environmental parameters are included in order to calculate whether or not there is a risk of a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind. The environmental parameters can be a road condition, weather conditions, the season, the vehicle type and / or the vehicle size. The corresponding environmental parameters can provide information about the probable braking behavior of the motor vehicle approaching from behind.

For example, the braking distance will be longer in the case of a bad road condition or bad weather conditions than in good weather conditions or a good road condition. Furthermore, the time of year can provide information about whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind has winter or summer tires. In particular, the season can therefore be linked to the weather conditions in order to infer the braking distance of the motor vehicle approaching from behind. The vehicle type or the vehicle size of the motor vehicle approaching from behind can be taken into account in an analogous manner, since the mass depends, inter alia, on the vehicle type or the vehicle size. It can also be determined whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind is a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle or another type of vehicle that has a corresponding braking behavior typical of the vehicle will have, which is taken into account in the calculation.

According to one embodiment, the rear area behind the motor vehicle is monitored by means of at least one RADAR, LIDAR and / or imaging sensor. In particular, RADAR sensors and LIDAR sensors are suitable for cost-effective rear area monitoring of a long-range area behind the motor vehicle. An imaging sensor can also be used for this, in particular with appropriate optics.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the distance to another motor vehicle is determined in front of the motor vehicle. The rear area monitoring system can accordingly have a further sensor which monitors the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle. In this respect, in addition to the rear area monitoring, the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle are also monitored, the corresponding data being able to be collected simultaneously, so that the corresponding data are available when the calculation is carried out as to whether or not a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind threatens. This ensures that all information relating to the entire environment of the motor vehicle is available during the calculation.

In particular, if a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind threatens, a request is given to reduce the distance to the further motor vehicle, in particular wherein the request is output acoustically and / or optically. The vehicle driver of the motor vehicle is therefore requested by the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring to reduce the distance from the motor vehicle in front of him, as a result of which a larger braking distance can be made available to the motor vehicle approaching from behind, so that an impending collision can still be avoided after all . In any case, the severity of the collision can be reduced because a larger braking distance is made available, so that the speed of the motor vehicle approaching from behind can be reduced in the event of an impact. The corresponding request to the driver of the motor vehicle can be made acoustically and / or optically. In particular, the request is output in an analogous manner to the warning signal via loudspeakers or optical display devices, ie loudspeakers or the screen of the multimedia system.

In particular, the request is only issued if the distance to the further motor vehicle in front of the motor vehicle can be reduced at all with the rear area monitoring or if this is considered to be sensible.

Another aspect provides that, if there is a risk of a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind, the distance to the further motor vehicle is reduced autonomously, in particular if the vehicle driver of the motor vehicle does not respond or does not respond adequately to the prompt issued. This means that the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring system automatically reduces the distance to the previous motor vehicle in order to increase the braking distance available for the motor vehicle approaching from behind. This can at least reduce the severity of the collision or completely avoid the collision.

The distance to the further motor vehicle in front of the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring is in particular only reduced autonomously if this is possible or has been considered useful.

In general, the method can be used in a traffic jam, in particular at the end of the traffic jam, and in flowing traffic, so that the motor vehicle is accelerated (autonomously) even in flowing traffic in order to avoid a collision with a motor vehicle approaching from behind. However, the motor vehicle will only accelerate if the monitored surroundings of the motor vehicle permit such an acceleration. Basically, the acceleration is a slight acceleration that does not surprise the driver.

Here too, environmental parameters can be taken into account whether and how (autonomous) acceleration of the motor vehicle can take place in order to avoid an unstable driving state, for example on the basis of the weather conditions, the course of the road, the road conditions, traffic signs and / or other road users or obstacles in the vicinity of the Motor vehicle.

When driving the motor vehicle autonomously, the current driving behavior of the motor vehicle is also taken into account, and this can be adapted adaptively accordingly. This means that, for example, the present deceleration of the motor vehicle is carried out less strongly if this is possible due to the environment in front of the motor vehicle in order to enable the motor vehicle approaching from behind to have a longer braking distance.

A risk assessment regarding the environment of the motor vehicle can be carried out. In the risk assessment, all of the data recorded by the motor vehicle or the rear area monitoring system are evaluated in order to obtain a appropriate reaction of the motor vehicle (autonomous) to carry out, which results in minimal damage (for the entire environment). Here not only the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring, but all road users are included in the calculation or risk assessment. The evaluated data are the data which have been recorded by the sensor monitoring the rear area and by the sensor monitoring the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle.

In particular, the motor vehicle approaching from behind and / or an object located in front of the motor vehicle are classified. The “severity” of a collision can be better determined on the basis of the classification of the motor vehicle approaching from behind, the relevant data being able to be incorporated into the risk assessment, among other things. Furthermore, when the motor vehicle approaching from behind has been classified, typical motor vehicle parameters such as the braking power can be inferred, which are included in the calculation as to whether or not there is a risk of a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind.

In an analogous manner, the classification of the obstacle in front of the motor vehicle ensures that a corresponding risk assessment is possible. For example, the obstacle in front of the motor vehicle is classified as a dangerous goods transporter, a small car, a motorcycle, a pedestrian and / or as an immobile obstacle, which results in a correspondingly different risk assessment, which results in a different (autonomous) reaction of the motor vehicle can.

In particular, it is provided that the motor vehicle is controlled autonomously in such a way that it hits a controlled object in front of the motor vehicle. This means that it was found in the risk assessment that the controlled collision with the object or obstacle in front of the motor vehicle, for example another motor vehicle, represents a lower overall risk than the collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind without the controlled collision. Due to the controlled collision with the obstacle in front of the motor vehicle, the available stopping or braking distance of the motor vehicle approaching from behind can be extended, which at least reduces the severity of the collision.

Another aspect provides that the motor vehicle communicates with at least one further motor vehicle, in particular with the motor vehicle approaching from behind. For example, an electrical warning signal can be transmitted to the motor vehicle approaching from behind in order to initiate emergency braking in this motor vehicle. Likewise, the driver of the motor vehicle approaching from behind can be warned accordingly. Communication can therefore take place between the motor vehicles, that is to say the motor vehicle with rear area monitoring and the motor vehicle approaching from behind. This is also known as Car2Car communication.

The communication can also take place with other motor vehicles in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, in particular with further motor vehicles in front of the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring or the rear space monitoring system, so that, for example, the further motor vehicles in front of the motor vehicle are requested to reduce the distance to the respective previous motor vehicle. As a result, a larger braking distance can be made available for the motor vehicle approaching from behind. This can also be referred to as a “chain reaction” because several motor vehicles reduce the distance to the respective previous motor vehicle. This can also be done autonomously if the corresponding motor vehicles in front of the motor vehicle are appropriately designed with the rear area monitoring or the rear area monitoring system.

Furthermore, when communicating with other motor vehicles, data can be recorded which is used for risk assessment. These data can be the number of vehicle occupants in the motor vehicles who are in the vicinity of the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring. In this way, a corresponding risk assessment can be carried out with regard to the potentially injured, in particular to minimize the number of injuries. The corresponding data can be detected via seat occupancy detection in the respective motor vehicles and sent to the motor vehicle with the rear area monitoring.

In particular, the back area monitoring system is designed to carry out the method for back area monitoring of the aforementioned type accordingly. The advantages mentioned above thus result in an analogous manner for the rear area monitoring system.

• - 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer drohenden Auffahrsituation bei einem Kraftfahrzeug mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Rückraumüberwachungssystem, und
• - 2 ein Flussdiagramm, das das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Rückraumüberwachung eines Kraftfahrzeugs verdeutlicht.

Further advantages and properties of the invention result from the following description and the drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show:

• - 1 a schematic representation of an impending collision situation in a motor vehicle with a rear space monitoring system according to the invention, and
• - 2nd a flowchart that illustrates the inventive method for rear area monitoring of a motor vehicle.

In 1 a driving situation is shown in which there is a motor vehicle 10th with a rear area monitoring system 12 located.

The back area monitoring system 12 has at least one sensor in the embodiment shown 14 on the back of the vehicle 10th monitors, especially in the far field of the motor vehicle 10th . With the sensor 14 it can be a RADAR, LIDAR and / or imaging sensor.

The sensor 14 can in the rear of the vehicle 10th be arranged, for example in the rear bumper.

The rear area monitoring system also includes 12 another sensor 16 that the environment in front of the motor vehicle 10th supervised. Also with the other sensor 16 it can be a RADAR, LIDAR and / or imaging sensor.

The further sensor 16 can in the front area of the motor vehicle 10th be arranged, for example in the front bumper.

Also has the back area surveillance system 12 a control and computing unit 18th that with the two sensors 14 , 16 is coupled so that the control and computing unit 18th from the sensors 14 , 16 recorded data for further evaluation.

The control and computing unit 18th is accordingly designed by the sensors 14 , 16 evaluate the data received to indicate a possible collision with a motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th to determine how in 1 shown. This will be discussed later with reference to 2nd received in more detail.

Also going out 1 indicated that another motor vehicle 22 in front of the motor vehicle 10th is provided, which is a distance d from the motor vehicle 10th has, the distance d or the other motor vehicle 22 by means of the further sensor 16 is recorded.

Basically, the control and arithmetic unit 18th configured to issue control commands to vehicle components based on the evaluated data, in order to prevent an impending collision or at least to reduce the severity of the collision.

Based on 2nd is explained below how the control and computing unit 18th determines whether a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th threatens and how the control and computing unit 18th tries to avoid or at least mitigate the impending collision.

In a first step S1 becomes the back space behind the motor vehicle 10th by means of the sensor 14 monitors, with the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th is recorded.

In a second step S2 becomes at least one motor vehicle parameter of the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th determined, for example a current speed, a change in speed, a deceleration, an acceleration and / or a used lane of the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th acts.

In particular, the at least one motor vehicle parameter is determined by the control and computing unit 18th which determines the data of the sensor 14 receives and evaluates accordingly.

Furthermore, the control and computing unit 18th Data from the other sensor 16 obtained to the distance d to the other motor vehicle 22 in front of the motor vehicle 10th to determine. This can be done in one step S3 respectively.

The step S3 can essentially coincide with the step S2 respectively.

Previously, the other sensor 16 , for example simultaneously with the step S1 , the environment in front of the motor vehicle 10th monitored, the other motor vehicle 22 in front of the motor vehicle 10th has been recorded. The corresponding data is then sent to the control and computing unit 18th been transferred so that the control and computing unit 18th the distance d to the other motor vehicle 22 in step S3 can determine.

Furthermore, in a fourth step S4 be provided that the control and computing unit 18th receives at least one environmental parameter or the control and computing unit 18th automatically determines a corresponding environmental parameter.

The at least environmental parameter can be a road condition, weather conditions, season, vehicle type and / or vehicle size.

The fourth step S4 can also essentially coincide with the step S2 respectively.

The corresponding parameters, that is to say the at least one environmental parameter and the at least one motor vehicle parameter, are carried out in a fifth step S5 used to calculate whether a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind based on the detected or determined parameters 20th threatens.

This means that the motor vehicle 10th with the back area monitoring or the back area monitoring system 12 determines whether the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th may or may not avoid the collision, especially assuming that the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th initiates an emergency stop.

Should the control and computing unit 18th Calculate that such a collision is imminent or very likely, in particular also on the assumption that emergency braking takes place, the control and computing unit 18th a warning signal to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle 10th spend (step S6 ).

Alternatively or additionally, a warning signal can be sent to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th be output (step S7 ) by communication between the motor vehicle 10th and the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th takes place, which is also referred to as Car2Car communication.

In a further step S8 can the control and computing unit 18th a request to the driver of the motor vehicle 10th output the previously determined distance d to the further motor vehicle 22 in front of the motor vehicle 10th to reduce, so that the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th a longer braking distance can be made available.

This can cause the collision with the motor vehicle 10th avoided or at least mitigated. The corresponding request is made by the control and computing unit 18th however, only output if it has previously been calculated that a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th threatens, is therefore very likely or inevitable.

The corresponding request can be output acoustically and / or optically, for example using loudspeakers or optical display units of a multimedia system of the motor vehicle.

If the driver of the motor vehicle 10th If the request does not respond or does not respond adequately, it can be provided that in a further step S9 the distance d to the other motor vehicle 22 is autonomously reduced by a longer braking distance for the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th to provide.

This autonomous reduction in the distance d can also take place directly, that is to say without prior request from the vehicle driver.

In particular, it can even be provided that the motor vehicle 10th is controlled so autonomously that it affects the other motor vehicle 22 opens in a controlled manner.

If in front of the motor vehicle 10th if an object or obstacle other than a motor vehicle is provided, the motor vehicle can 10th Drive up to this obstacle or object in a controlled manner. This is also done by the control and computing unit 18th controlled accordingly.

Here, however, a risk assessment is first carried out with regard to the environment of the motor vehicle 10th carried out. This means that the corresponding surroundings, in particular the objects or obstacles in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10th , in front of, next to and behind the motor vehicle 10th be classified.

Danger potentials such as a dangerous goods transporter, pedestrians or other dangers can thus be recognized, which are taken into account in the decision-making with regard to the (autonomously carried out) reaction by the control and computing unit 18th initiates or controls.

In particular, this risk assessment can also be used to classify the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th be made so that the severity of the impending impact or impending collision with the motor vehicle 10th is determined. This can be done due to the classification of the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th it is determined whether it is a truck, a bus or another type of vehicle with special properties, whereby it is concluded that vehicle-typical braking distances are taken into account, which are taken into account accordingly in the calculation of the impending collision.

In this respect, the classification of the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th not only in the risk assessment of the environment of the motor vehicle 10th applied, but also in the calculation of whether a collision with the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th threatens or not.

In general, the control and processing unit 18th the entire environment of the motor vehicle in the risk assessment 10th included in order to reduce the overall risk, i.e. also because of the risk to the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10th , especially pedestrians or other road users without or with a small crumple zone.

The motor vehicle can also 10th communicate with other motor vehicles in its environment, in particular the other motor vehicle 22 in front of the motor vehicle 10th as well as the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th to initiate a coordinated response to the impending collision.

For example, get several motor vehicles in front of the motor vehicle 10th a request to reduce the distance to the respective previous motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th available braking distance can be maximized. This coordinated reduction in the respective distances is also referred to as a chain reaction.

Furthermore, in the communication of the motor vehicle 10th Data are also exchanged with the other motor vehicles, which are taken into account, among other things, in the risk assessment. For example, the data include information about the number of vehicle occupants in the respective motor vehicles, so that the risk assessment takes the number of vehicle occupants into account accordingly. This data can be recorded via seat occupancy detection in the respective motor vehicles.

The absolute risk of injury in the entire environment of the motor vehicle can thus be determined 10th minimize.

Basically, this ensures that an impending collision with a motor vehicle approaching from behind 20th prevented or the severity of which is at least minimized.

Reference numerals

10th

Motor vehicle

12

Rear area monitoring system

14

sensor

16

sensor

18th

Control and computing unit

20th

Motor vehicle

22

Motor vehicle

Claims (15)

Method for monitoring the rear area of a motor vehicle (10), comprising the following steps: - monitoring a rear area behind the motor vehicle (10), - Determining at least one motor vehicle parameter of a motor vehicle (20) approaching the motor vehicle (10) from behind, and - Calculate on the basis of the determined motor vehicle parameter whether a collision with the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind threatens. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a warning signal is output to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle (10) and / or to a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind, in particular an optical warning signal and / or an acoustic warning signal. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the at least one motor vehicle parameter is a current speed, a change in speed, a deceleration, an acceleration and / or a used lane of the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that environmental parameters are determined and taken into account in the calculation, in particular where the environmental parameters are a road condition, weather conditions, season, vehicle type and / or vehicle size. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear space behind the motor vehicle (10) is monitored by means of at least one RADAR, LIDAR and / or imaging sensor (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (d) to a further motor vehicle (22) in front of the motor vehicle (10) is determined. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that if a collision threatens with the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind, a request is issued to reduce the distance (d) to the further motor vehicle (22), in particular wherein the request is acoustically and / or optically is issued. Procedure according to Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that, if there is a risk of a collision with the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind, the distance (d) to the further motor vehicle (22) is reduced autonomously, in particular if the vehicle driver of the motor vehicle (10) is insufficient or insufficient responds to the prompt issued. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a risk assessment is carried out with regard to the environment of the motor vehicle (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind and / or an object located in front of the motor vehicle (10) are or will be classified. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) is controlled autonomously in such a way as to drive in a controlled manner onto an object located in front of the motor vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) communicates with at least one further motor vehicle (20, 22), in particular with the motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind. Rear area monitoring system (12) for a motor vehicle (10), with a control and computing unit (18), at least one sensor (14) which monitors the rear area behind the motor vehicle (10), the control and computing unit (18) with the Sensor (14) is coupled to receive and evaluate data recorded by the sensor (14), the control and computing unit (18) being designed to determine a possible collision with a motor vehicle (20) approaching from behind. Rear area monitoring system (12) Claim 13 , characterized in that a further sensor (16) is provided which monitors the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle (10). Rear area monitoring system (12) Claim 13 or 14 , characterized in that the rear area monitoring system (12) is designed, the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 to execute.

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