Positional gaps for driver controllability
US12384426B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2023 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2050/146
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The technology involves determining a minimum lateral gap distance between a vehicle configured for autonomous driving and one or more other objects in the vehicle's environment. The minimum lateral gap is used when determining whether to have a driver take over control of certain driving operations. This provides a measure of safety during disengagements or other change of control events. Determining the minimum lateral gap includes calculating a budgeted distance based on a cross-track error for a lateral position of the vehicle, an allowed actual gap distance to an object in the vehicle's environment, and a perception error associated with a location of the object in the vehicle's environment. This determination can be done for a set of possible operating speeds and steering rate limit combinations. The vehicle's control system may notify the driver to take control, for instance with audible, visual and/or haptic notifications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.