JP7527118B2 - Vehicle remote driving service system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle remote driving service system.

Although the development of autonomous vehicle technology has progressed in recent years, it is expected to take some time before autonomous vehicles become widespread on general public roads, and expectations are growing for remote driving, in which the driver remotely controls the vehicle from a location away from the vehicle.

For example, Patent Document 1 shows the general state of the art related to remote driving of vehicles.

JP 2019-168893 A

However, at present, there are no concrete services being offered regarding remote driving of vehicles.

In particular, in areas where there is a serious shortage of taxi and bus drivers, there is an urgent need to create remote driving services for users who do not own cars, including the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable road users.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology, and aims to provide a remote vehicle driving service system that can contribute to the mobility of users and is useful for creating a highly convenient city.

The present invention includes a remotely controlled vehicle and
An operations center that accepts vehicle dispatch reservations including a boarding location and a destination from users;
a remote driving center where a remote driver remotely operates a vehicle based on a vehicle dispatch reservation accepted by the operation center;
The vehicle that drops off the user at the destination is remotely operated by a remote driver and parked.
Parking space and
Equipped with
The parking location is a mechanical parking facility;
The present invention relates to a vehicle remote driving service system configured so that a remote driver remotely operates the vehicle from the boarding location to the destination, and further operates the mechanical parking equipment .

The remote vehicle driving service system of the present invention can contribute to the mobility of users and has the excellent effect of helping to create a highly convenient city.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle remote driving service system according to the present invention. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention. 11 is a flowchart showing yet another embodiment of the vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the vehicle remote driving service system includes a vehicle 10, an operation center 20, and a remote driving center 30.

The vehicle 10 is a vehicle that can be remotely operated. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an authentication function for the user U. Examples of authentication methods include authentication by short-range wireless (IC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.), image authentication (QR code (registered trademark), biometric authentication, etc.), and authentication by the user U entering a code. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a remote driving device, and operation history management (driving operations, user U operations, etc.) is performed. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a usage operation function by the user U. For example, a car navigation system can be used as the usage operation function, and the user U basically performs various operations using a smartphone as described below, but by operating the car navigation system, it is possible to use the vehicle without operating a smartphone.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation center 20 has a reception function that accepts a vehicle dispatch reservation including a boarding location and a destination D from a user U. The reception function is adapted to accept not only direct reservations from the user U, but also reservations from MaaS (Mobility as a Service) such as public transportation. Incidentally, MaaS is a new concept of "mobility" that utilizes information and communication technology (ICT) to cloudify transportation, and seamlessly connects all mobility (movement) by means of transportation other than personal cars as a single service, regardless of the operator. The operation center 20 has a remote driver assignment function that assigns a remote driver 31 (see FIG. 2) to the vehicle 10. The operation center 20 is adapted to perform operation management of the vehicle 10. Operation management of the vehicle 10 includes managing the overall information of the owned vehicle 10 and grasping information on whether it can be operated or not. The operation center 20 has a demand forecasting function and is adapted to determine the placement of the vehicle 10. The operations center 20 has an information linking function, and is capable of notifying the destination D of the user U and linking with other systems.

The remote driving center 30 allows the remote driver 31 to remotely operate the vehicle 10 based on the dispatch reservation accepted by the operation center 20. The remote driving center 30 manages the vehicle 10 and keeps track of the driving log and maintenance status of the vehicle 10. The remote driving center 30 manages the remote driver 31 and keeps track of the qualification information, working hours, health management, allocation status, etc. of the remote driver 31. The remote driving center 30 has a remote driving function, and while the remote driver 31 is seated in equipment that allows him to remotely operate the vehicle 10, the driving status of the vehicle 10 is displayed, and images, sounds, etc. of the surroundings of the vehicle 10 that are necessary for driving are played. The remote driving center 30 monitors the vehicle 10 while the remote driver 31 is driving, and also monitors the remote driver 31. The remote driving center 30 can also be set at the home of the remote driver 31. In addition to the remote driving center 30, a facility equipped with only remote driving functions can be provided at the home of the remote driver 31, allowing the remote driver 31 to remotely operate the vehicle 10 from home.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle remote driving service system includes a parking spot 40 where the vehicle 10 that has dropped off the user U at the destination D is remotely operated by the remote driver 31 and parked. In the parking spot 40, parking spot management is performed, and area demand forecasts and the like are performed. In addition, in the parking spot 40, parking status management is performed and vehicle maintenance parking spot management is performed. The vehicle maintenance parking spot management is, for example, recording and managing information such as when battery charging and other various maintenance of the vehicle 10 were performed in the parking spot 40. The parking spot 40 can be a dedicated parking lot (mechanical parking facility, multi-story parking lot, etc.). However, the parking spot 40 may be a spot set on the road as a boarding location for the user U or a temporary waiting position for the vehicle 10. The temporary waiting position is not limited to being on the road, but can also be a spot set off the road (for example, the driveway of a hotel or condominium).

The user U installs a dedicated application on his/her smartphone and makes a reservation for a vehicle dispatch using the reservation function. The reservation function is not limited to reservations made through the smartphone application, but also includes reservations made directly to the operation center 20 by telephone. The application includes a usage operation function, which allows the user to set frequently used boarding locations and destination D. In addition, if the destination D of the user U is a facility such as a hotel or shopping mall, or a public transportation station, a notification (e.g., a notification that assistance is required) is sent to the destination D using an information notification function.

The destination D (facility, public transportation station, etc.) is equipped with an information notification receiving function.

Next, we will explain the operation of the above example.

First, the user U makes a vehicle reservation using a smartphone application as shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle reservation includes the boarding location and the destination D. However, instead of using the smartphone application, the user U may make a vehicle reservation directly by telephone to an operator 21 at the operation center 20.

When the operation center 20 receives a vehicle dispatch reservation from a user U, an operator 21 searches for a vehicle 10 close to the boarding location of the user U and assigns the corresponding vehicle 10.

After the allocation of the vehicles 10 is completed, the remote driver 31 is assigned and determined. The criteria for determining the remote driver 31 are as follows:
・Driving time has not exceeded the set limit. ・You are in a condition to drive (e.g., you have not consumed alcohol).
- The driver must have driving qualifications. If the remote driver 31 cannot be assigned immediately, the user U is notified of the expected time. If the remote driver 31 cannot be assigned immediately, it is also possible to recommend another means of transportation to the user U.

When the remote driver 31 is determined by the remote driver 31 assignment, the operator 21 of the operation center 20 notifies the user U, and the user U who receives the notification waits at the boarding location. If the vehicle 10 is near the user U, the user U may wait inside the vehicle.

If assistance is required for the user U, the operator 21 of the operation center 20 notifies the destination D of the expected arrival time of the vehicle 10 at the same time as notifying the user U.

After the remote driver 31 makes the decision, the vehicle 10 starts to drive, and if the parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the vehicle 10 to the entrance/exit, the vehicle 10 leaves the parking spot 40, and the vehicle 10 starts to drive to the boarding location. If the parking spot 40 is a spot set as a temporary waiting position for the vehicle 10, no particular operation is performed on the parking spot equipment, and the vehicle 10 starts to drive to the boarding location.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the boarding location, an arrival notification is sent to the user U, who boards the vehicle 10 and authentication between the user U and the assigned vehicle 10 is performed.

When authentication between the user U and the assigned vehicle 10 is established, use of the service begins, and the remote driver 31 starts driving the vehicle 10 to the destination D. Various contents are provided during the ride, and the user U can freely select and enjoy music, videos, conversations with AI or the operator 21, etc.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination D, the user U gets off and ends his/her use of the service.

If the user U requires assistance, an operator 21 at the operation center 20 will send an advance notice of arrival to the destination D when the user U approaches the destination D.

When the user U gets off the vehicle and ends his/her use of the service, the operation center 20 searches for a parking space 40 and reserves an available parking space 40.

The operator 21 at the operation center 20 instructs the remote driver 31 on the parking location 40, and the vehicle 10 begins driving again.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the parking spot 40, if the parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the pallet on which the vehicle 10 is placed to the entrance/exit gate, and the vehicle 10 is brought into the parking spot 40 and parked. If the parking spot 40 is a spot set as a temporary waiting position for the vehicle 10, no particular operation of the parking spot equipment is performed, and the vehicle 10 is parked in the spot as is.

When the vehicle 10 is parked, vehicle operation ends, the vehicle 10 waits in the parking area 40, and the remote driver 31 is released.

As a result, it becomes possible to provide specific and useful services regarding remote driving of the vehicle 10.

In addition, remote drivers 31 will be able to make up for the shortage of taxi and bus drivers, which will also help users U, including those who are vulnerable in terms of transportation, such as elderly people, children, and people with disabilities who do not have their own cars.

This will contribute to the mobility of users U and help create a more convenient city.

In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 that drops off the user U at the destination D is provided with a parking location 40 where it is parked by remote control from a remote driver 31. With this configuration, the vehicle 10 can be kept waiting in the parking location 40, which is effective in quickly responding to vehicle reservations from the user U.

In addition, in this embodiment, the parking location 40 can be a dedicated parking lot. This configuration makes it easier to perform maintenance on the vehicle 10 parked in the dedicated parking lot.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the parking location 40 can be a spot set as a boarding location for the user U or a temporary waiting location for the vehicle 10. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to respond more quickly to vehicle reservations from users U by distributing a large number of spots without making a large capital investment.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention, in which parts with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 represent the same items. The basic configuration is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, but the feature of this other embodiment is that, as shown in Figure 3, user U drives vehicle 10 between the boarding location and destination D.

Next, we will explain the operation of the other embodiments described above.

First, user U makes a vehicle reservation from a smartphone application as shown in FIG. 3. The vehicle reservation includes the boarding location and destination D, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but when making the reservation, user U informs the operator 21 of the operation center 20 that he or she will be driving the vehicle 10 between the boarding location and destination D. However, instead of using the smartphone application, the user U may make a vehicle reservation directly by telephone to the operator 21 of the operation center 20, and inform the operator that he or she will be driving the vehicle 10 between the boarding location and destination D.

When the operation center 20 receives a vehicle dispatch reservation from a user U, an operator 21 searches for a vehicle 10 close to the boarding location of the user U and assigns the corresponding vehicle 10.

After the allocation of the vehicles 10 is completed, the remote driver 31 is assigned and determined. The criteria for determining the remote driver 31 are as follows:
・Driving time has not exceeded the set limit. ・You are in a condition to drive (e.g., you have not consumed alcohol).
- The driver must have driving qualifications. If the remote driver 31 cannot be assigned immediately, the user U is notified of the expected time. If the remote driver 31 cannot be assigned immediately, it is also possible to recommend another means of transportation to the user U.

When the remote driver 31 is determined by the remote driver 31 assignment, the operator 21 of the operation center 20 notifies the user U, and the user U who receives the notification waits at the boarding location. If the vehicle 10 is near the user U, the user U may wait inside the vehicle.

When the user U drives from the boarding location to the destination D, no assistance is required, so notification of the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 10 to the destination D from the operator 21 of the operation center 20 at the same time as notifying the user U is omitted.

After the remote driver 31 makes the decision, the vehicle 10 starts to drive, and if the parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the vehicle 10 to the entrance/exit, the vehicle 10 leaves the parking spot 40, and the vehicle 10 starts to drive to the boarding location. If the parking spot 40 is a spot set as a temporary waiting position for the vehicle 10, no particular operation is performed on the parking spot equipment, and the vehicle 10 starts to drive to the boarding location.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the boarding location, an arrival notification is sent to the user U, the vehicle operation by the remote driver 31 ends, and the remote driver 31 is released.

The user U gets into the vehicle 10, and authentication between the user U and the assigned vehicle 10 is performed.

When authentication between the user U and the assigned vehicle 10 is established, the user U starts driving, and the vehicle 10 heads toward the destination D.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination D, the user U sends a notification of end of use to the operation center 20 at the disembarking location and disembarks.

When the operation center 20 receives the usage termination notification, the operator 21 again allocates the corresponding vehicle 10 and assigns the remote driver 31, and the remote driver 31 is determined. At this time, personnel may be reserved at the time of vehicle dispatch reservation so that the remote driver 31 can be assigned immediately.

After the remote driver 31 is assigned, the operation center 20 searches for a parking space 40 and reserves an available parking space 40. At this time, the parking space 40 may be reserved at the same time as the vehicle dispatch reservation so that the parking space 40 can be immediately reserved.

When the parking spot 40 is secured, the operator 21 at the operation center 20 instructs the remote driver 31 to select the parking spot 40, and the remote driver 31 starts driving the vehicle 10 again.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the parking spot 40, if the parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the pallet on which the vehicle 10 is placed to the entrance/exit gate, and the vehicle 10 is brought into the parking spot 40 and parked. If the parking spot 40 is a spot set as a temporary waiting position for the vehicle 10, no particular operation of the parking spot equipment is performed, and the vehicle 10 is parked in the spot as is.

When the vehicle 10 is parked, vehicle operation ends, the vehicle 10 waits in the parking area 40, and the remote driver 31 is released.

As a result, it is possible to provide specific and useful services in combination with remote driving of the vehicle 10 to users U who do not own a vehicle 10 but prefer to drive.

In this way, it can contribute to the mobility of a variety of users U, including those with limited mobility, and help create a highly convenient city.

Figure 4 shows yet another embodiment of the vehicle remote driving service system of the present invention, in which parts with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent the same items. The basic configuration is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the other embodiment shown in Figure 3, but the feature of this other embodiment is that, as shown in Figure 4, the operation center 20 issues an instruction to rearrange the vehicle 10 between the parking locations 40 to be moved, and the remote driving center 30 is configured so that the remote driver 31 remotely operates the vehicle 10 based on the instruction from the operation center 20.

Next, we will explain the operation of the other embodiment described above.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation center 20 assigns the vehicle 10 to the parking space 40 to which it is to be moved.

After the allocation of the vehicles 10 is completed, the remote driver 31 is assigned and determined. The criteria for determining the remote driver 31 are as follows:
・Driving time has not exceeded the set limit. ・You are in a condition to drive (e.g., you have not consumed alcohol).
-Having a driving license.

When the remote driver 31 is determined by the remote driver 31 assignment, the operator 21 at the operation center 20 instructs the remote driver 31 on the parking location 40 from which the remote driver 31 will move, and the remote driver 31 who receives the instruction confirms the parking location 40 to which the remote driver 31 will move.

When the remote driver 31 confirms the destination parking spot 40, the remote driver 31 starts driving the vehicle 10, and if the original parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the vehicle 10 to the entrance/exit, the vehicle 10 is removed from the original parking spot 40, and the vehicle 10 starts traveling to the destination parking spot 40. If the original parking spot 40 is a flat parking lot or the like, no particular operation is performed on the parking spot equipment, and the vehicle 10 starts traveling to the destination parking spot 40.

When the vehicle 10 arrives at the destination parking spot 40, if the destination parking spot 40 is a mechanical parking facility or the like, the remote driver 31 operates the parking spot equipment, such as calling the pallet on which the vehicle 10 is placed to the entrance/exit gate, and the vehicle 10 is brought into and parked at the destination parking spot 40. If the parking spot 40 is a flat parking lot or the like, no particular operation of the parking spot equipment is performed, and the vehicle 10 is simply parked in the destination parking spot 40.

When the vehicle 10 is parked, vehicle operation ends, the vehicle 10 waits in the parking area 40, and the remote driver 31 is released.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 may be a vehicle used for car sharing. In car sharing, the vehicles 10 may be unevenly distributed among a number of parking spaces 40 that are scattered around. However, by using the vehicle remote driving service system of yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vehicles 10 can be transported from a source parking space 40, where a large number of vehicles 10 are unevenly distributed, to a destination parking space 40, where there are fewer vehicles 10, thereby making it possible to distribute the vehicles 10 evenly among a number of parking spaces 40 for car sharing that are scattered around.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 can be a vehicle that transports bicycles used in a shared cycle, and the parking space 40 can include a port where the bicycles are parked. Even with a shared cycle, bicycles can be unevenly distributed among multiple scattered ports. However, by using the vehicle remote driving service system of another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, bicycles can be evenly distributed among multiple scattered shared cycle ports by using the vehicle 10 to transport bicycles from a port included in the source parking space 40, where bicycles are unevenly distributed, to a port included in the destination parking space 40, where bicycles are fewer.

Furthermore, in the case of yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 can be a vehicle used for logistics, and the parking location 40 can include a logistics center. The logistics industry is facing a serious driver shortage. However, by using the vehicle remote driving service system of yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 can be transported from a logistics center included in the parking location 40 at the source to a logistics center included in the parking location 40 at the destination, thereby resolving the driver shortage and smoothly transporting luggage.

The remote vehicle driving service system of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 Vehicle 20 Operation center 21 Operator 30 Remote driving center 31 Remote driver 40 Parking location U User D Destination

Claims (1)

A remotely controlled vehicle,
An operations center that accepts vehicle dispatch reservations including a boarding location and a destination from users;
a remote driving center where a remote driver remotely operates a vehicle based on a vehicle dispatch reservation accepted by the operation center;
The vehicle that drops off the user at the destination is remotely operated by a remote driver and parked.
Parking space and
Equipped with
The parking location is a mechanical parking facility;
A vehicle remote driving service system configured such that a remote driver remotely operates the vehicle from the boarding location to the destination, and further such that the remote driver operates the mechanical parking facility .

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