Method for checking the fitness of a driver to drive a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

1 . A method for checking a fitness to drive of a driver of a motor vehicle, comprising:

identifying a transition signal from a first driving mode of the motor vehicle to a second driving mode, wherein the second driving mode is less automated compared to the first driving mode;

after the transition signal has been identified, receiving a request signal and outputting a request characterized by the request signal in the motor vehicle by way of an output device, wherein the request includes displaying at least one predetermined picture on a display device in the motor vehicle, and wherein the request includes an acoustic signal that requests characterization of an object included in the picture and having a color that is specified in the acoustic signal;

capturing a response signal that describes a response of the driver to the request, by way of a capturing device;

determining a fitness-to-drive value that quantifies the fitness to drive of the driver by evaluating the response signal while applying a preset evaluation criterion, including checking if the response signal describes an expected response associated with the request signal;

checking if the fitness-to-drive value is greater than a preset fitness-to-drive limit value; and

if the fitness-to-drive value is greater than the preset fitness-to-drive limit value, permitting a manual intervention of the driver in a longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the transition signal is provided in automated manner based on a current driving route or is manually activated in the motor vehicle by way of an operating element.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the request asks for information characterizing a current point of time.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the output device includes a speaker device.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the capturing device includes a microphone device that captures the response signal as an acoustic signal.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the preset evaluation criterion considers a pronunciation, a response time, or a clarity of the response signal.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

if the fitness-to-drive value is less than or equal to the preset fitness-to-drive limit value, receiving a further request signal;

outputting a further request characterized by the further request signal;

capturing a response signal that describes a response of the driver to the further request, by way of the capturing device;

determining a further fitness-to-drive value that quantifies the fitness to drive of the driver by evaluating a further response signal while applying the preset evaluation criterion, including checking if the further response signal describes a further expected response associated with the further request signal;

checking if the further fitness-to-drive value is greater than the preset fitness-to-drive limit value; and

if the further fitness-to-drive value is greater than the preset fitness-to-drive limit value, permitting the manual intervention of the driver in the longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fitness-to-drive value is determined by a human person who enables or disables the longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle for the manual intervention of the driver by way of an input at an input device.

9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the request signal is transferred to the motor vehicle from a facility outside of the motor vehicle or determination of the fitness-to-drive value is effected in the facility outside of the motor vehicle.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying the driver of the motor vehicle based on a personalized vehicle key and/or a camera device in a motor vehicle interior,

wherein the expected response is to a question that is personal to the driver of the motor vehicle identified by the identifying, and

wherein the expected response is associated with the request signal and recorded in a user profile of the driver of the motor vehicle that is associated with the driver of the motor vehicle identified by the identifying.

11 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a signal transmitted from outside of the motor vehicle,

wherein the manual intervention of the driver in the longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle is permitted in response to receiving the signal transmitted from outside of the motor vehicle.

12 . A motor vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device storing program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

identify a transition signal from a first driving mode of the motor vehicle to a second driving mode, wherein the second driving mode is less automated compared the first driving mode;

after the transition signal has been identified, receive a request signal and outputting a request characterized by the request signal in the motor vehicle by way of an output device, wherein the request includes displaying at least one predetermined picture on a display device in the motor vehicle, and wherein the request includes an acoustic signal that requests characterization of an object included in the picture and having a color that is specified in the acoustic signal;

capture a response signal that describes a response of a driver to the request, by way of a capturing device;

determine a fitness-to-drive value that quantifies a fitness to drive of a driver by evaluating the response signal while applying a preset evaluation criterion, including checking if the response signal describes an expected response associated with the request signal;

check if the fitness-to-drive value is greater than a preset fitness-to-drive limit value; and

if the fitness-to-drive value is greater than the preset fitness-to-drive limit value, permit a manual intervention of the driver in a longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle.

13 . The motor vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify the driver of the motor vehicle based on a personalized vehicle key and/or a camera device in a motor vehicle interior, wherein the expected response is to a question personal to the driver of the motor vehicle that is identified based on the personalized vehicle key and/or the camera device in the motor vehicle interior, and wherein the expected response is associated with the request signal and recorded in a user profile of the driver of the motor vehicle that is identified based on the personalized vehicle key and/or the camera device in the motor vehicle interior.

14 . The motor vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a signal transmitted from outside of the motor vehicle, wherein the manual intervention of the driver in the longitudinal or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle is permitted in response to receiving the signal transmitted from outside of the motor vehicle.