DE102019001445A1 - Information system of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for informing passengers of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An information system (14) for passengers of an autonomously moving motor vehicle, comprising at least one information output module (18, 20), wherein the information output module (18, 20) is connected to a planning module (16) for controlling the autonomously running motor vehicle, wherein the planning module (16) based on an algorithm driving decisions about future driving maneuvers of the autonomously running motor vehicle meets, the planning module (16) for transmitting reasons for making travel decisions to the information output module (18, 20) is formed, wherein the information system (14) for outputting the reasons in human intelligible form via the information output module (18, 20) is formed.
Furthermore, a motor vehicle and a method for informing passengers of an autonomously driving motor vehicle are described.

Description

Described are an information system of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle and a method for informing passengers of a motor vehicle.

Information systems, motor vehicles and methods of the type mentioned are known in the art. The automotive industry has been developing autonomous vehicles for quite some time. There are many challenges. One of the most important aspects of autonomous motor vehicles is road safety. Road safety is influenced on the one hand by the quality of planning a trip on the different time scales; short, medium and long term. In the short- and medium-term planning, it mainly depends on the prediction of the behavior of other road users in the vicinity of the autonomously driving motor vehicle such as other motor vehicles (driven manually and / or autonomously), motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians.

On the other hand, it was recognized that it is important to make the planned behavior of the autonomously driving motor vehicle recognizable to the outside, for example by motor vehicle-to-motor vehicle communication or by displays such as turn signals. However, situations are conceivable in which these possibilities are not sufficient.

It is anticipated that some autonomous driving vehicles will also choose manual driving modes and that a driver of such a vehicle will be able to perform an autonomous driving mode by engaging in vehicle control, for example by engaging in steering, gas and / or brake to lift and take control of the motor vehicle. Such an intervention in the autonomous driving mode may, for example, lead to a traffic situation that is inherently safe and a safe planned driving maneuver suddenly becoming dangerous because the driver may react incorrectly. This is due to the lack of confidence of the driver in the behavior of the motor vehicle in autonomous driving mode. In order to create a corresponding confidence, it makes sense to inform the driver about the planned driving maneuver in such a way that the driver can understand the decision and get confidence in the quality of the prediction of the autonomously driving motor vehicle.

From the DE 10 2014 201 282 A1 a method for a driver assistance system of a vehicle is known. In the method, a future lateral control is automatically determined for the vehicle and the future lateral control is output as a suggestion to a driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, a request to confirm the proposal is issued to the driver. A driver action executed by the driver of the vehicle in response to the request is detected and the lateral control is automatically performed depending on the driver's action.

While such output can provide confidence to some extent, the planned maneuver for the driver of the motor vehicle may still be insufficiently traceable.

Thus, the task of developing information systems, motor vehicles and methods of the type mentioned in such a way that more confidence in the pre-planning of an autonomously driving motor vehicle can be formed to avoid unnecessary manual intervention and thereby traffic hazards.

The object is achieved by an information system according to claim 1, a motor vehicle according to the independent claim 5 and a method for informing passengers of a motor vehicle according to the independent claim 6. Further developments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

An information system is described for passengers of an autonomously driving motor vehicle with at least one information output module, wherein the information output module is connected to a planning module for controlling the autonomously driving motor vehicle, wherein the planning module uses an algorithm to make driving decisions about future driving maneuvers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle, wherein the planning module is designed for the transmission of reasons for making travel decisions to the information output module, wherein the information system for outputting the reasons in human understandable form is formed on the information output module.

By outputting the reasons via the information output module, it can be achieved that a passenger and / or driver of a corresponding motor vehicle driving in the autonomous driving mode is informed of the reasons of a shortly planned driving maneuver in good time, thus improving the driving maneuver can understand. On the one hand, this creates confidence in the quality of the planning and gives the passenger or driver the opportunity to understand the planning of the planning module.

Thus, for example, a lane change can be motivated by a planned route, for example if the autonomously driving motor vehicle has to move to another lane due to a planned change of direction. Further, for example, a speed change may be justified with an upcoming, special traffic situation such as a green wave, an upcoming traffic jam, or a soon-to-be-blocked lane.

According to a first further embodiment, it can be provided that the information output module has at least one loudspeaker and / or at least one optical display element.

By acoustically outputting the reasons via a loudspeaker, for example, a steering maneuver can be justified without the driver and / or the passengers having to look at the traffic. On the other hand, an alternative or additional visual display can be made silently, so that, for example, resting, working or sleeping passengers are not disturbed if they do not look at the display.

According to another further embodiment, it can be provided that the planning module is designed with at least one environment sensor and / or at least one communication module for communication with at least one central computer.

With the aid of an environment sensor, the environment of a motor vehicle can be recognized and information from outside the motor vehicle can be included in the planning and disclosed accordingly in human-understandable form. By coupling with a remote from the motor vehicle central computer can further be given a conditioned by the central computer driving maneuver.

According to another further embodiment, it may be provided that the planning module is designed to transmit conditions for a planned driving maneuver, wherein the information system for outputting the reasons is embodied in human intelligible form via the information output module.

By providing information about conditions that depend on the current circumstances in which the motor vehicle is located, the driver or passengers may be informed of upcoming maneuvers in the near future. For example, it can be informed that a lane change should occur within the next 20 seconds in order to navigate to the destination. Furthermore, it can be informed that a lane change only takes place when there is a sufficient safety distance between two vehicles driving on the destination lane. It can then also be informed that a driving maneuver was omitted because there was insufficient space on the target lane.

A first independent subject relates to a motor vehicle having an information system according to any one of the preceding claims.

A corresponding motor vehicle can inform its occupants of the reasons, circumstances and conditions of planned driving maneuvers.

A further independent subject relates to a method for informing passengers of an autonomously driving motor vehicle via at least one information output module of an information system, wherein a planning module for controlling the autonomously running motor vehicle makes decisions about future driving maneuvers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle based on an algorithm, the planning module having reasons for Transmit driving decisions to the information output module, the information output module outputs these reasons in human-understandable form.

By means of an appropriate procedure, inmates can be informed about the reasons, circumstances and conditions of planned driving maneuvers.

According to a first further embodiment, it can be provided that the planning module transmits conditions to the information system under which a driving maneuver is carried out, the information system outputting these conditions in human comprehensible form via the information output module.

As a result, passengers may be informed of possible circumstances of planned driving maneuvers, for example, that a lane change will take place due to an imminent obstruction of traffic flow on the original lane.

According to another further embodiment, it can be provided that reasons for traffic-dependent driving maneuvers are output.

Thus, for example, it can be communicated that a lane change will only take place if a sufficiently large gap can be found.

According to another further embodiment, it can be provided that reasons for navigation-related driving maneuvers are output.

Thus, information may be output about how a scheduled driving maneuver is related to the destination of the ride, e.g., turning off shortly.

According to another further embodiment, it may be provided that reasons for changes to the plan are output.

Thus, should be informed that a new route will be taken due to a traffic jam on the original route.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one embodiment is described in detail. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

• 1 eine Verkehrssituation mit einem autonom fahrenden Kraftfahrzeug;
• 2 ein Informationssystem des autonom fahrenden Kraftfahrzeugs aus 1, sowie
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Information von Insassen des Kraftfahrzeugs.

They show schematically:

• 1 a traffic situation with an autonomously driving motor vehicle;
• 2 an information system of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 1 , such as
• 3 a flowchart of a method for informing occupants of the motor vehicle.

1 shows a traffic situation with an autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 ,

The autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 would like on a street 4 from an output track 4.1 on a target track 4.2 switch. On the destination track 4.2 There are two more vehicles 6 . 8th between which there is a gap 10 located.

The autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 plans, in the gap 10 to drive it outward by pressing the left turn signal 12 displays.

So that the passengers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 are also informed about the planned lane change and its reasons is in the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 arranged an information system, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the following figures.

2 shows an information system 14 (dashed framed) of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 out 1 ,

The information system 14 has a planning and control unit 16 on. The planning part of the planning and control unit 16 serves to plan the driving maneuvers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 , The planning of driving maneuvers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 can be divided into different time periods that include long-term planning (eg, navigation), medium-term planning (eg lane change, turn off) and short-term planning (eg evasive maneuvers, braking maneuvers).

The control part of the planning and control unit 16 serves, inter alia, passengers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 To provide information about the planned driving maneuvers as well as according to the present description justifications for the planned driving maneuvers. This is the planning and control unit 16 with a display 18 as well as a speaker 20 each of which is a separate information output module or a common information output module.

In the event that the planning and control unit 16 an upcoming maneuver plans, there is a reason for this, which has its basis in the planning in one of the above periods. This reason is over the display 18 and / or the speaker 20 output.

The planning and control unit 16 is further with ambient sensor in the form of a camera 22 and in the form of a radar 24 connected to information in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle 2 to pick up and process and, where appropriate, respond by appropriate driving maneuvers. The car 2 can have further, not shown environmental sensors, for example, ultrasonic sensors, at least one Lidarsystem and / or at least one other camera.

The planning and control unit 16 is also equipped with a communication module 26 connected. By means of the communication module 26 can over an internet 28 a connection to a central computer 30 that can be used to receive information used for planning. Such information may include, for example, the traffic situation on a planned route.

In the present case is on the output track 4.1 faltering traffic, as over the central computer 30 was transmitted to the planning and control unit, which is why the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 on the target track 4.2 plans to change. This is on the one hand by means of the display 18 displayed in the on the halting Traffic and the lane change is pointed. At the same time the information is transmitted by means of the loudspeaker 20 to the passengers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle 2 passed.

3 shows a flowchart of a method for informing occupants of the motor vehicle 2 ,

Due to different input variables, for example concerning the navigation or the traffic situation, a planning is made.

If there is a change of direction associated with the planning, for example a lane change, a turn or the like, an indication with a corresponding justification is displayed 18 and the speaker 20 issued in human understandable form. The same can be done for braking and acceleration maneuvers.

1. a) vor einem Einschervorgang kann eine Erklärung erfolgen, warum ein Blinker gesetzt wurde und warum der Einschervorgang vorgenommen wird;
2. b) bevorstehende Fahrmanöver können analysiert und in der Begründung verkettet werden, beispielsweise (i) links blinken, (ii) auf linke Spur einscheren, (iii) für zwei Kilometer auf dieser Spur bleiben, wobei für jedes Fahrmanöver eine situationsabhängige Erklärung hinzugefügt wird, beispielsweise „Fahrbahnwechsel auf linke Spur um in zwei Kilometern links abzubiegen“;
3. c) zeitlich und räumlich abhängige Fahrmanöver können mit Bedingungen, zum Beispiel einer Dauer oderLänge versehen werden, beispielsweise „Versuch links einzuscheren für 20 Sekunden“ oder „Innerhalb des nächsten Kilometers links einscheren“;
4. d) wenn ein Fahrmanöver (z.B. Spurwechsel) trotz vorheriger Anzeige/Ankündigung nicht durchgeführt werden kann, z.B. aufgrund plötzlicher Beschleunigung von Fahrzeugen auf der linken Spur, sodass die Lücke für einen sicheren Spurwechsel zu klein wird, kann diese Information den Passagieren erklärt werden, z.B.: „aufgrund von kleiner werdenden Raumlücken wurde die Spur nicht gewechselt“, und die möglichen Folgen des zurückgezogenen Fahrmanövers kann den Passagieren erklärt werden, z.B. wenn durch einen zurückgezogenen Spurwechsel das Linksabbiegen an einer Kreuzung verpasst wird, wird den Passagieren die Änderungen der Route erklärt und angezeigt;
5. e) das Abbremsen an einen herannahenden Stau oder das Abweichen der ursprünglichen Route wegen einer Sperrung oder großer verkehrlich bedingter Verzögerungen auf der ursprünglichen Route, z.B.: „Aufgrund eines vorausliegenden Staus wird die Geschwindigkeit reduziert“;
6. f) Infrastrukturabhängige Informationen, wie z. B. die optimale Geschwindigkeit zum Ausnutzen einer grünen Welle in städtischen Gebieten, können den Passagieren erklärt werden, z.B.: „Geschwindigkeit wird reduziert, um die grüne Welle auszunutzen“;
7. g) Daten aus infrastrukturseitigen Sensoren, die die eigenen Manöver beeinflussen, können erklärt werden. Beispielsweise könnte eine Kamera vorgesehen sein, die eine uneinsichtige Kreuzung erfasst und mittels Kraftfahrzeug-zu-Umgebung-Kommunikation (Car2X) mit dem autonomen Fahrzeug kommuniziert, wobei die Erkennung der Kamera im Auto erklärt wird, z.B.: „Kreuzung in alle Richtungen frei“, oder „Bremsen, da von rechts ein Fahrzeug kommt, das Vorfahrt hat“.
8. h) Karten- und Navigationsdaten sowie dynamische Streckeninformationen, die genutzt werden, um einen reibungslosen Kontrolltransfer zu gewährleisten, können erklärt werden. Wenn ein autonomes Fahrzeug in vorhersehbarer Zukunft in ein Gebiet fährt, in dem kein autonomer Betriebsmodus möglich oder erlaubt ist, z.B. weil hochauflösende Kartendaten fehlen oder aufgrund des Straßenzustands oder behördlicher Verbote in gewissen Gebieten, muss das Kraftfahrzeug rechtzeitig den Passagieren den notwendige Kontrolltransfer mitteilen: „In 3 Minuten wird ein Gebiet durchfahren, für das keine hochauflösenden Kartendaten vorliegen, bitte innerhalb der nächsten 2 Minuten die Kontrolle über das Kraftfahrzeug übernehmen“.
9. i) Jede Manöverkette, möglichst inklusive aller Parameter, kann zusammen mit der Erklärung an den Zentralrechner geschickt und dort gespeichert werden und die Erklärung zu der Manöverkette und dem tatsächlichen Verhalten des Fahrzeugs auf dem Zentralrechner validiert werden. Es kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Passagiere eine Rückmeldung (Feedback) zur Erklärung der Handlungskette geben können, wobei die Kombination aus Erklärung und tatsächlichem Fahrmanöver auf dem den Zentralrechner kontinuierlich analysiert und verbessert werden kann, z.B. durch maschinelles Lernen. Hierdurch kann Verbesserung des Verständnisses der Situation und die Erstellung von Texten in natürlicher Sprache vorangebracht werden.

The procedure as well as the information system 14 allow a variety of application examples:

1. a) before decommissioning, an explanation can be given as to why a turn signal has been set and why the decommissioning process is being carried out;
2. b) forthcoming driving maneuvers can be analyzed and linked in the reasoning, for example (i) flashing left, (ii) engaging on the left lane, (iii) remaining on that lane for two kilometers, with a situation-dependent explanation being added for each driving maneuver, for example "Lane change on left lane to turn left in two kilometers";
3. c) time and space dependent maneuvers may be provided with conditions, for example duration or length, for example, "trial cut left for 20 seconds" or "left turn within the next kilometer";
4. d) if a driving maneuver (eg lane change) despite prior notice / announcement can not be performed, eg due to sudden acceleration of vehicles on the left lane, so that the gap for a safe lane change is too small, this information can be explained to the passengers, eg : "Due to decreasing space gaps, the lane was not changed", and the possible consequences of the retracted maneuver can be explained to the passengers, for example, if by a retracted lane change the left turn is missed at an intersection, the passengers are the changes of the route explained and displayed;
5. e) slowing down to an approaching traffic jam or the departure of the original route due to a blockage or major traffic delays on the original route, eg: "Due to a preceding traffic jam the speed is reduced";
6. f) Infrastructure-dependent information, such as: For example, the optimal speed for exploiting a green wave in urban areas can be explained to the passengers, eg, "speed is reduced to take advantage of the green wave";
7. g) Data from infrastructure-side sensors that influence one's own maneuvers can be explained. For example, a camera could be provided which detects an unintended intersection and communicates with the autonomous vehicle by means of automotive-to-environment communication (Car2X), explaining the recognition of the camera in the car, eg: "free intersection in all directions", or "brakes, because from the right a vehicle comes, which has right of way".
8. h) Map and navigation data as well as dynamic route information used to ensure a smooth control transfer can be explained. If an autonomous vehicle drives in the foreseeable future into an area in which no autonomous mode of operation is possible or permitted, eg because of the lack of high-resolution map data or due to the road conditions or official prohibitions in certain areas, the motor vehicle must inform the passengers in a timely manner of the necessary control transfer: " In 3 minutes you will drive through an area that does not have high-resolution map data, please take control of the vehicle within the next 2 minutes ".
9. i) Each maneuver chain, including as many parameters as possible, can be sent together with the declaration to the central computer and stored there, and the explanation of the maneuver chain and the actual behavior of the vehicle on the central computer can be validated. Provision may be made for the passengers to be able to give a feedback (feedback) to explain the chain of action, whereby the combination of explanation and actual driving maneuver on which the central computer can be continuously analyzed and improved, eg by machine learning. This can help to improve the understanding of the situation and to produce texts in natural language.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplified embodiments are really only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description enable the skilled artisan to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those of skill in the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept may make various changes, for example, to the function or arrangement of particular elements recited in an exemplary embodiment. without departing from the scope defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

motor vehicle

4

Street

4.1

output track

4.2

target track

6

motor vehicle

8th

motor vehicle

10

gap

12

blinker

14

information system

16

Planning and control unit

18

display

20

speaker

22

camera

24

radar

26

communication module

28

Internet

30

mainframe

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014201282 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Information system for passengers of an autonomously driving motor vehicle (2), with at least one information output module (18, 20), wherein the information output module (18, 20) is connected to a planning module (16) for controlling the autonomously driving motor vehicle (2), wherein the planning module (16) makes decisions about future driving maneuvers of the autonomously driving motor vehicle (2) on the basis of an algorithm, characterized in that the planning module (16) is designed to transmit reasons for making travel decisions to the information output module (18, 20), wherein the information system (16) 14) for outputting the grounds in human understandable form via the information output module (18, 20) is formed. Information system after Claim 1 , characterized in that the information output module (18, 20) has at least one loudspeaker (20) and / or at least one optical display element (18). Information system after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the planning module (16) with at least one environmental sensor (22, 24) and / or at least one communication module (26) for communication with at least one central computer (30) is formed. Information system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planning module (16) is designed for transmitting conditions for a planned driving maneuver, wherein the information output module (18, 20) for outputting the reasons in human intelligible form via the information output module (18, 20 ) is trained. Motor vehicle with an information output module (18, 20) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for informing passengers of an autonomously moving motor vehicle (2) via at least one information output module (18, 20) of an information system (14), wherein a planning module (16) for controlling the autonomously running motor vehicle (2) uses an algorithm to make driving decisions about future driving maneuvers of the vehicle autonomously driving motor vehicle (2), characterized in that the planning module (16) transmits reasons for making travel decisions to the information output module (18, 20), wherein the information output module (18, 20) outputs these reasons in human intelligible form. Method according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the planning module (16) transmits conditions under which a driving maneuver is performed to the information system (14), the information system (14) outputting these conditions in human intelligible form via the information output module (18, 20). Method according to Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that reasons are given for traffic-dependent driving maneuvers. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that reasons are given for navigation-dependent driving maneuvers. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that reasons for changes in plan are issued.

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