JP2020161087A - Vehicle control device and vehicle control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method that can reduce a physical damage to a vehicle or the like when a disaster occurs.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a vehicle control unit. The acquisition unit acquires positional information indicating the position of a vehicle, and disaster information concerning the occurrence of a disaster. The vehicle control unit subjects the vehicle to automatic driving control in a state in which no passenger is in the vehicle based on the positional information and the disaster information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method.

Conventionally, for example, when a disaster occurs, a technique has been proposed in which human damage is reduced by transmitting disaster information to a terminal device owned by the user (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-12259

However, there is room for improvement in the prior art in terms of reducing physical damage to vehicles and the like in the event of a disaster.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method capable of reducing physical damage to a vehicle or the like in the event of a disaster.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes an acquisition unit and a vehicle control unit in the vehicle control device. The acquisition unit acquires position information indicating the position of the vehicle and disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster. The vehicle control unit automatically controls the vehicle while the occupant is not on board, based on the position information and the disaster information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce physical damage to a vehicle or the like in the event of a disaster.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle control method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle control system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an in-vehicle device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle position information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of in-vehicle device information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of road information. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the vehicle control device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle control device and the vehicle control method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

<1. Outline of vehicle control method by vehicle control device>
Hereinafter, first, an outline of the vehicle control method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle control method according to an embodiment.

The vehicle control method according to the embodiment is executed by, for example, the vehicle control device 110. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 110 is mounted on the vehicle C. The vehicle C is, for example, a vehicle capable of autonomous driving that does not require a driving operation of a driver including a user. Further, the vehicle C is a vehicle capable of autonomous driving even when the occupant is not on board, that is, when the occupant is not on board. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the vehicle C is in a state where no occupant is on board and is parked in the parking lot A.

First, the vehicle control device 110 acquires position information indicating the position of the vehicle C and disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster (step S1). The disaster information includes, for example, information indicating the type of disaster, the scale of the disaster, the disaster prediction area where the occurrence of the disaster is predicted, and the like.

Subsequently, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area based on the position information and the disaster information (step S2). In other words, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not the vehicle C exists in a place to be evacuated due to the influence of a disaster.

When it is determined that the vehicle C does not exist in the disaster prediction area, the vehicle control device 110 ends the process as it is and continues parking. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area, the vehicle control device 110 executes the evacuation operation of the vehicle C.

Specifically, the vehicle control device 110 automatically controls the vehicle C while the occupant is not on board, and moves the vehicle C from the parking lot A, which is the evacuation source, to the evacuation destination B, as shown by the vehicle C, which is a one-point chain line. (Step S3). Then, the vehicle C arrives at the evacuation destination B (step S4) as shown by the alternate long and short dash line, and the evacuation operation is completed.

As described above, in the vehicle control device 110 according to the present embodiment, the vehicle C is automatically controlled by the occupant in a non-ride state based on the position information and the disaster information. As a result, for example, the vehicle C can be evacuated to the evacuation destination B, and thus physical damage to the vehicle C or the like can be reduced in the event of a disaster.

<2. Vehicle control system configuration>
Next, the configuration of the vehicle control system 1 including the vehicle control device 110 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the vehicle control system 1. In the block diagram of FIG. 2 and the like, only the components necessary for explaining the features of the present embodiment are represented by functional blocks, and the description of general components is omitted.

In other words, each component shown in the block diagram such as FIG. 2 is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. For example, the specific form of distribution / integration of each functional block is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the functional blocks are functionally or physically distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. -It is possible to integrate and configure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle control system 1 includes an in-vehicle device 100, a terminal device 200, and an external server 300, which are communicably connected via a communication network N such as an Internet network.

The in-vehicle device 100 is a device mounted on the vehicle C and includes the vehicle control device 110 described above. The in-vehicle device 100 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

The terminal device 200 is, for example, a terminal used by a user. As the terminal device 200, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like can be used, but the terminal device 200 is not limited to this.

For example, the terminal device 200 can receive various notifications from the vehicle control device 110 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle-mounted device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 can receive a notification that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area, and also gives a notification requesting the evacuation operation of the vehicle C to the notification according to the user's operation. It can be output to the control device 110 (see FIG. 1).

Further, for example, the terminal device 200 receives a notification that the preparation for the evacuation operation of the vehicle C is completed, a notification inquiring whether to return the vehicle C to the place before the evacuation when the disaster information is lost, and the like. In addition, the vehicle control device 110 (see FIG. 1) can be notified in response to the user's operation that the movement of the vehicle C is permitted in response to the notification. Further, for example, the terminal device 200 can also receive a notification from the vehicle control device 110 that the vehicle C has been returned to the place before evacuation.

The external server 300 is a server that provides disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster, road information indicating the collected road conditions at the time of a disaster, and the like. The road information indicating the road condition at the time of a disaster includes various information related to the road condition such as road closure, traffic jam, and submersion. Further, the external server 300 can collect such road information from the in-vehicle device 100. As a result, the external server 300 can update the road information to the content corresponding to the current road condition.

Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 100 described above will be specifically described.

<3. In-vehicle device configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the in-vehicle device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle device 100 includes a communication unit 101, an in-vehicle sensor group 102, an in-vehicle device group 103, a vehicle control device 110, a drive source control device 141, a brake control device 142, and a steering mechanism. It includes a control device 143.

The communication unit 101 is a communication interface that connects to the network N so that bidirectional communication is possible, and transmits / receives information to / from the terminal device 200, the external server 300, and the like.

The in-vehicle sensor group 102 includes, for example, various sensors that detect information necessary for traveling control of the vehicle C (see FIG. 1). For example, the vehicle-mounted sensor group 102 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed, an accelerator sensor that detects the accelerator operation amount, a brake sensor that detects the brake operation amount, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel, and the like.

In addition, the vehicle-mounted sensor group 102 also includes various devices that detect information necessary for automatic driving of the vehicle C. For example, the in-vehicle sensor group 102 includes a GPS receiver that detects the current location of the own vehicle based on a signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and images of other vehicles and road conditions existing around the own vehicle. Cameras that can be used, radars that measure the distance and direction from reflected waves obtained by radiating electromagnetic waves to the surroundings to other vehicles in the vicinity, remaining amount sensors that detect the remaining amount of driving energy such as gasoline and batteries, etc. May be included.

The in-vehicle sensor group 102 described above outputs information indicating the obtained vehicle speed, own vehicle position, and the like to the vehicle control device 110.

The in-vehicle device group 103 includes, for example, various devices mounted on the vehicle C. For example, the in-vehicle device group 103 includes, but is not limited to, an air conditioner, an airbag, a headlight, a blinker light, a navigation device, an audio device, and the like.

The drive source control device 141 is a device that controls a drive source such as an engine or an electric motor of the vehicle C, a brake control device 142 is a device that controls the brake of the vehicle C, and a steering mechanism control device 143 is a steering mechanism that steers the vehicle C. It is a device to control.

The vehicle control device 110 includes a control unit 120 and a storage unit 130. The control unit 120 is a microcomputer including an acquisition unit 121, a vehicle control unit 122, a transmission unit 123, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like.

The storage unit 130 is a storage unit composed of storage devices such as a non-volatile memory and a hard disk drive, and stores vehicle position information 131, vehicle-mounted device information 132, and road information 133.

Here, the vehicle position information 131 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle position information 131.

As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle position information 131 includes information such as “position ID”, “evacuation destination position information”, and “evacuation source position information”, and these information are associated with each other. ing.

The "position ID" is identification information that identifies the vehicle position information. The "location information of the evacuation destination" is the location information of the evacuation destination of the vehicle C. In the example shown in FIG. 3, for convenience, the "location information of the evacuation destination" is abstractly described as "position D11", but specific information is stored in the "position D11". To do. Hereinafter, other information may also be described abstractly.

The "location information of the evacuation source" is the location information of the evacuation source of the vehicle C. The above-mentioned location information of the evacuation destination and the location information of the evacuation source are used for route search when the vehicle C is evacuated. The evacuation destination may be set by the in-vehicle device 100, may be set by the user, or may be set by using the disaster information provided from the external server 300.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the data identified by the position ID "C01" indicates that the position information of the evacuation destination is "position D11" and the position information of the evacuation source is "position E11".

Next, the in-vehicle device information 132 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle-mounted device information 132. The in-vehicle device information 132 is, for example, information regarding the operation of each in-vehicle device when the occupant automatically controls the vehicle C in a non-ride state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the in-vehicle device information 132 includes information such as "device ID", "device name", and "operation content", and these information are related to each other.

The "device ID" is identification information that identifies an in-vehicle device. The "device name" is information indicating the name of the in-vehicle device. The "operation content" is information indicating the operation content of the in-vehicle device when the occupant automatically controls the driving in a non-ride state. That is, in the present embodiment, since the automatic operation may be performed in a state where the occupant is not on board, the operation content of the in-vehicle device is set according to such a situation.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the data identified by the device ID "G01" indicates that the device name is "air conditioner" and the operation content is "operation prohibited". Further, the data identified by the device ID "G02" indicates that the device name is "airbag" and the operation content is "operation prohibited". That is, an example is shown in which the operation of these air conditioners and airbags is prohibited because no occupant is on the vehicle C.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the data identified by the device ID "G03" indicates that the device name is "headlight" and the operation content is "blinking". That is, an example is shown in which the headlights are blinked to notify the surroundings that the occupant is in a non-ride state. In the above, the operation contents of the in-vehicle device when the occupant controls the automatic driving in the non-ride state are shown concretely, but the operation content is merely an example and is not limited.

Next, the road information 133 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of road information 133.

As shown in FIG. 6, the road information 133 includes information such as "road ID", "road condition", and "road location", and these information are associated with each other.

The "road ID" is identification information that identifies the road information. The "road condition" is information indicating, for example, the road condition at the time of a disaster. The information indicating the road condition is, for example, information obtained by analyzing an image captured by a camera, but is not limited to this. The "road location" is the position information of the road on which the above-mentioned road condition is detected.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the data identified by the road ID "J01" indicates that the road condition is "closed" and the road location is "position K1".

Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the acquisition unit 121 of the control unit 120 acquires each sensor signal output from the vehicle-mounted sensor group 102 and outputs it to the vehicle control unit 122. For example, the acquisition unit 121 acquires position information indicating the position of the vehicle C (own vehicle position) from the signal output from the GPS receiver of the vehicle-mounted sensor group 102.

Further, for example, the acquisition unit 121 acquires disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster from the external server 300 (see FIG. 2). The acquisition unit 121 can output various acquired information to the vehicle control unit 122 or store it in the storage unit 130.

Further, when the vehicle control unit 122, which will be described later, determines that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area, the acquisition unit 121 determines that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area before determining the acquisition frequency of the position information and the disaster information. Increase more.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by increasing the acquisition frequency of the location information and the disaster information, it is possible to appropriately prepare for the evacuation operation that may be performed in the future.

In the above, the acquisition unit 121 is designed to increase the acquisition frequency of the location information and the disaster information, but is not limited to this, and for example, the acquisition frequency of either the location information or the disaster information is increased. You may try to increase it.

The vehicle control unit 122 controls the operation of the vehicle C. Specifically, when a driver such as a user manually operates the accelerator, brake, or steering wheel (all not shown), the vehicle control unit 122 has the accelerator sensor, brake sensor, and steering angle of the in-vehicle sensor group 102. Various information output from the sensor is input via the acquisition unit 121. The vehicle control unit 122 controls the drive source control device 141, the brake control device 142, and the steering mechanism control device 143 based on such information to manually control the vehicle C.

In addition, the vehicle control unit 122 can perform automatic driving control of the vehicle C. For example, the vehicle control unit 122 controls the drive source control device 141 and the like based on GPS information, camera information, radar information, and the like output from the vehicle-mounted sensor group 102, and executes automatic driving control.

Further, the vehicle control unit 122 can automatically control the vehicle C while the occupant is not on board, based on the position information and the disaster information. As a result, physical damage to the vehicle C or the like can be reduced when a disaster occurs.

Specifically, for example, the vehicle control unit 122 determines whether or not the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area where the occurrence of a disaster is predicted based on the position information and the disaster information. Then, when it is determined that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area, the vehicle control unit 122 automatically controls the vehicle C to the evacuation destination, for example, with the occupant not on board. As a result, physical damage to the vehicle C or the like can be effectively reduced when a disaster occurs.

Further, when the vehicle C is automatically controlled by the occupant in a non-ride state, the vehicle control unit 122 prohibits the operation of at least a part of the in-vehicle device group 103. For example, the vehicle control unit 122 prohibits the operation of in-vehicle equipment that is unnecessary in automatic driving when the occupant is not on board.

Specifically, the vehicle control unit 122 accesses the in-vehicle device information 132 (see FIG. 5) and prohibits the operation of the air conditioner and the airbag. This makes it possible to suppress power consumption in the vehicle C, for example.

Further, the vehicle control unit 122 operates so as to notify the surroundings that at least a part of the in-vehicle device group 103 is in the non-ride state when the occupant is not in the vehicle C. Let me.

For example, the vehicle control unit 122 accesses the in-vehicle device information 132 (see FIG. 5) and blinks the headlights. As a result, for example, it is possible to notify the surroundings (for example, other vehicles or pedestrians existing in the vicinity) that the occupant is in a non-ride state, and as a result, the evacuation operation can be safely performed.

Here, for example, when the disaster information disappears after the vehicle C is evacuated to the evacuation destination based on the disaster information, the user returns the vehicle C evacuated to the evacuation destination to the original place (that is, the evacuation source). You may want to do that.

Therefore, in the vehicle control unit 122 according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle C is automatically operated and controlled to move to the evacuation destination (an example of a predetermined position) and then the disaster information is no longer acquired, the vehicle C The occupant can automatically control the operation without riding and return to the position before the movement (that is, the evacuation source).

As a result, in the present embodiment, the user can use the vehicle C as before the disaster without going to the evacuation destination while reducing the physical damage to the vehicle and the like. Is possible, and convenience can be improved.

The transmission unit 123 can transmit various information and the like to the terminal device 200 and the external server 300. For example, the transmission unit 123 can transmit various notifications such as a notification that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area to the terminal device 200.

<4. Control processing of the vehicle control device according to the embodiment>
Next, a specific processing procedure in the vehicle control device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the vehicle control device 110.

As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle control unit 122 of the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not there is disaster information, specifically, whether or not the disaster information has been acquired by the acquisition unit 121 (step S10). When it is determined that there is no disaster information (steps S10, No), the vehicle control unit 122 skips the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is disaster information (step S10, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 acquires the position information of the vehicle C via the acquisition unit 121 (step S11). Next, the vehicle control unit 122 determines whether or not the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area (step S12). When it is determined that the vehicle C does not exist in the disaster prediction area, that is, it is outside the disaster prediction area (steps S12, No), the vehicle control unit 122 skips the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area, that is, in the disaster prediction area (step S12, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 notifies that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area. This is performed for the user (step S13). To be precise, the vehicle control unit 122 transmits a notification that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area to the terminal device 200.

Subsequently, the vehicle control unit 122 determines whether or not the user has requested the evacuation operation of the vehicle C by operating the terminal device 200 (step S14). When it is determined that there is no request for the evacuation operation of the vehicle C (steps S14, No), the vehicle control unit 122 skips the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a request for the evacuation operation of the vehicle C (step S14, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 shifts to the evacuation preparation mode. In the evacuation preparation mode, the vehicle C prepares for the evacuation operation.

For example, in the evacuation preparation mode, the acquisition unit 121 increases the acquisition frequency of the position information and the disaster information from before it is determined that the vehicle C exists in the disaster prediction area. As a result, it becomes possible to acquire new information about the location information and the disaster information, and it is possible to appropriately prepare for the evacuation operation.

Further, in the evacuation preparation mode, the vehicle control unit 122 detects the remaining amount of driving energy such as gasoline and battery from the remaining amount sensor included in the in-vehicle sensor group 102, and calculates the mileage in the evacuation operation and the like. This makes it possible to perform an evacuation operation with an appropriate evacuation route according to the mileage.

In the evacuation preparation mode, when the preparation for the evacuation operation is completed, the vehicle control unit 122 notifies the user that the preparation for the evacuation operation is completed. To be precise, the vehicle control unit 122 transmits the notification to the terminal device 200.

Subsequently, the vehicle control unit 122 determines whether or not there is a notification that the movement of the vehicle C is permitted by the operation of the user on the terminal device 200 (step S16). When it is determined that there is no notification to permit the movement (steps S16, No), the vehicle control unit 122 skips the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle control unit 122 has been notified that the movement is permitted (steps S16, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 shifts to the automatic evacuation mode (step S17). In the automatic evacuation mode, the vehicle control unit 122 automatically controls the vehicle C in a state where the occupant is not on board and moves the vehicle C to the evacuation destination. For example, the vehicle control unit 122 accesses the vehicle position information 131 to obtain the evacuation destination position information and the evacuation source position information, and the evacuation route to the evacuation destination based on the mileage calculated above. Is calculated, and the vehicle C is automatically operated and controlled in a state where the occupant is not on board so as to travel on the calculated evacuation route.

Further, in the automatic evacuation mode, the vehicle control unit 122 prohibits the operation of at least a part of the in-vehicle device group 103 (for example, air conditioning equipment), or the occupant does not operate at least a part (for example, headlight) of the in-vehicle device group 103. It is operated to notify the surroundings that the vehicle is in a riding state.

Further, in the automatic evacuation mode, the vehicle control unit 122 can transmit the road information indicating the road condition at the time of a disaster, which is obtained on the way to the evacuation destination, to the external server 300.

For example, the vehicle control unit 122 generates and stores information indicating road conditions such as road closures and traffic jams by analyzing an image captured by a camera, position information of vehicle C, moving distance of vehicle C, moving speed, and the like. It is stored in the section 130 as road information 133. Then, the vehicle control unit 122 can transmit the road information 133 to the external server 300 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the external server 300 (see FIG. 2) can provide updated road information and the like according to the current road conditions.

Continuing the description of FIG. 7, the vehicle control unit 122 then determines whether or not the movement to the evacuation destination can be continued (step S18). That is, in the event of a disaster, the road may be closed during the movement to the evacuation destination, and the movement may not be continued. Therefore, when it is determined that the movement to the evacuation destination cannot be continued due to traffic closure or the like (step S18, No), the vehicle control unit 122 executes the reroute and performs the evacuation operation on another route (step S19). The vehicle control unit 122 returns to step S16 after the process of step S19. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 122 outputs a notification to the user's terminal device 200 that the movement cannot be continued and proposes to move by another route, and permits the movement of the vehicle C in response to the notification. It is determined whether or not the terminal device 200 has notified the user to do so.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the movement to the evacuation destination can be continued (step S18, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 determines whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the evacuation destination (step S20). When it is determined that the vehicle control unit 122 has not arrived at the evacuation destination (steps S20, No), the vehicle control unit 122 returns to step S18.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle control unit 122 has arrived at the evacuation destination (step S21, Yes), whether or not there is disaster information, specifically, whether or not the disaster information is continuously acquired by the acquisition unit 121. Is determined (step S21). When it is determined that there is disaster information (steps S21, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 repeats the process of step S21.

On the other hand, when the vehicle control unit 122 determines that there is no disaster information (steps S21, No), that is, when it is determined that the disaster information is no longer acquired by the acquisition unit 121, the vehicle C is placed in the place before evacuation. A notification inquiring whether or not to return is transmitted to the terminal device 200, and it is determined whether or not the terminal device 200 has notified that the notification is permitted to move to the place before evacuation (step S22).

When it is determined that there is no notification to permit the movement (steps S22, No), the vehicle control unit 122 skips the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle control unit 122 has been notified that the movement is permitted (steps S22, Yes), the vehicle control unit 122 automatically controls the vehicle C while the occupant is not in the vehicle to the position before the movement (that is, that is). Return to the evacuation source) (step S23). At this time, the vehicle control unit 122 may output a notification to the terminal device 200 that the vehicle C has been returned to the place before evacuation.

As described above, the vehicle control device 110 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 121 and a vehicle control unit 122. The acquisition unit 121 acquires position information indicating the position of the vehicle C and disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster. The vehicle control unit 122 automatically controls the vehicle C while the occupant is not on board, based on the position information and the disaster information acquired by the acquisition unit 121. As a result, physical damage to the vehicle C or the like can be reduced when a disaster occurs.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments expressed and described as described above. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 Vehicle control system 100 In-vehicle device 200 Terminal device 110 Vehicle control device 120 Control unit 121 Acquisition unit 122 Vehicle control unit

Claims (7)

An acquisition unit that acquires location information that indicates the position of the vehicle and disaster information related to the occurrence of a disaster,
A vehicle control device including a vehicle control unit that automatically controls the vehicle while the occupant is not on board, based on the position information and the disaster information acquired by the acquisition unit. The vehicle control unit
Based on the position information and the disaster information, it is determined whether or not the vehicle exists in the disaster prediction area where the occurrence of a disaster is predicted, and when it is determined that the vehicle exists in the disaster prediction area, the vehicle The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is automatically controlled. The acquisition unit
When the vehicle control unit determines that the vehicle exists in the disaster prediction area, the acquisition frequency of at least one of the position information and the disaster information is obtained before the vehicle is determined to exist in the disaster prediction area. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, wherein the number is increased. The vehicle control unit
The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the occupant automatically controls the vehicle in a non-ride state, the operation of at least a part of the in-vehicle device is prohibited. The vehicle control unit
When the vehicle is automatically controlled by an occupant in a non-ride state, at least a part of the in-vehicle device is operated so as to notify the surroundings that the occupant is in the non-ride state. The vehicle control device according to any one of 4. The vehicle control unit
When the disaster information is no longer acquired by the acquisition unit after the vehicle is automatically controlled to move to a predetermined position, the vehicle is automatically controlled to the position before movement while the occupant is not on board. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vehicle is returned to. An acquisition process for acquiring location information indicating the position of a vehicle and disaster information regarding the occurrence of a disaster,
A vehicle control method including a vehicle control step of automatically controlling the vehicle while the occupant is not on board, based on the position information and the disaster information acquired by the acquisition step.

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