Autonomous vehicle operator performance tracking
This disclosure relates to a system and method for determining vehicle operator preparedness for vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to vehicles and their operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of an individual vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. Based on the level of responsiveness, a preparedness metric is determined for each vehicle operator individually.
1. A system configured to determine vehicle operator preparedness for vehicle operators of vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation, the system configured to couple with a first vehicle, wherein the vehicle operators include a first vehicle operator for the first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is operated autonomously, wherein continued autonomous operation of the first vehicle requires the first vehicle operator to exhibit a preparedness to assume control of the first vehicle, the system comprising:
one or more processors configured to:
effectuate one or more challenges to the first vehicle operator to gauge a level of responsiveness of the first vehicle operator;
detect one or more responses by the first vehicle operator to the one or more challenges;
determine a preparedness metric value that reflects preparedness of the first vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle, wherein determination of the preparedness metric value is based on the one or more responses;
perform a comparison of the preparedness metric value with a preparedness threshold level to determine whether the preparedness metric value reflects an insufficient level of preparedness by the vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle; and
responsive to the determination that the preparedness metric value reflects an insufficient level of preparedness by the vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle, prompt the first vehicle to modify vehicle operation of the first vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein modification of the vehicle operation includes reducing speed of the first vehicle.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein modification of the vehicle operation includes a change in operation mode of the first vehicle.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
measure an elapsed time between a presentation of an individual challenge and a detection of an individual response to the individual challenge; and
wherein the determination of the preparedness metric value is based on the elapsed time.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein an individual challenge corresponds to an individual expected response, wherein the determination of the preparedness metric value is based on comparing the detected responses with expected responses, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine a change in the preparedness metric value over a period of time spanning at least three detections of responses.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine a change in the preparedness metric value over a period of time spanning more than one day.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine that vehicle control shall be transitioned from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator, wherein determination to transition vehicle control is based on a set of considerations;
transition vehicle control from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator;
determine a level of actual responsiveness of the first vehicle operator during the transition; and
modify the preparedness metric value based on the determined level of actual responsiveness.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the preparedness metric value is further based on the set of considerations that prompted the determination to transition vehicle control.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine that vehicle control shall be transitioned from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator, wherein determination to transition vehicle control is based on a set of considerations;
transition vehicle control from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator;
determine driving performance of the first vehicle operator during and/or after the transition, wherein the driving performance is based on the output signals; and
modify the preparedness metric value based on the determined driving performance.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine the preparedness metric value of the first vehicle operator multiple times over a period of time of at least a week;
generate a report regarding preparedness of the first vehicle operator, wherein the report spans the period of time of at least a week; and
transmit the generated report to a remote server that is external to the first vehicle.
11. A method to determine vehicle operator preparedness for vehicle operators of vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation, whrerein the vehicle includes a first vehicle, wherein the vehicle operators include a first vehicle operator for the first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is operated autonomously, wherein continued autonomous operation of the first vehicle requires the first vehicle operator to exhibit a preparedness to assume control of the first vehicle, the method comprising:
effectuating one or more challenges to the first vehicle operator to gauge a level of responsiveness of the first vehicle operator;
detect one or more responses by the first vehicle operator to the one or more challenges;
determining a preparedness metric value that reflects preparedness of the first vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle, wherein determination of the preparedness metric value is based on the one or more responses;
performing a comparison of the preparedness metric value with a preparedness threshold level to determine whether the preparedness metric value reflects an insufficient level of preparedness by the vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle; and
responsive to the determination that the preparedness metric value reflects an insufficient level of preparedness by the vehicle operator to assume control of the first vehicle, prompting the first vehicle to modify vehicle operation of the first vehicle.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein modifying the vehicle operation includes reducing speed of the first vehicle.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein modifying the vehicle operation includes a change in operation mode of the first vehicle.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
measuring an elapsed time between a presentation of an individual challenge and a detection of an individual response to the individual challenge; and
wherein determining the preparedness metric value is further based on the elapsed time.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein an individual challenge corresponds to an individual expected response, wherein determining the preparedness metric value is based on comparing the detected responses with expected responses, the method further comprising:
determining a change in the preparedness metric value over a period of time spanning at least three detections of responses.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining a change in the preparedness metric value over a period of time spanning more than one day.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining that vehicle control shall be transitioned from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator, wherein determination to transition vehicle control is based on a set of considerations;
transitioning vehicle control from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator;
determining a level of actual responsiveness of the first vehicle operator during the transition; and
modifying the preparedness metric value based on the determined level of actual responsiveness.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the preparedness metric value is further based on the set of considerations that prompted the determination to transition vehicle control.
19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining that vehicle control shall be transitioned from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator, wherein determination to transition vehicle control is based on a set of considerations;
transitioning vehicle control from autonomous operation to manual operation by the first vehicle operator;
determining driving performance of the first vehicle operator during and/or after the transition, wherein the driving performance is based on the output signals; and
modifying the preparedness metric value based on the determined driving performance.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the preparedness metric value of the first vehicle operator is determined multiple times over a period of time of at least a week, the method further comprising:
generating a report regarding preparedness of the first vehicle operator, wherein the report spans the period of time of at least a week; and
transmitting the generated report to a remote server that is external to the first vehicle.