Communicating a blending control parameter using a seat of a vehicle
Systems and methods are provided for communicating a blending parameter via tactile feedback at a driver's seat of a vehicle (examples of tactile feedback may comprise vibrations and temperature/heat applied through the driver's seat). The blending parameter may represent the ratio between the driver's level of authority and an autonomous driving system's level of authority in performing a driving task (e.g., lateral steering). By communicating changes to a blending parameter over time, examples can help a driver form a mental picture of how the vehicle/autonomous driving system is operating. This feedback/understanding may by advantageous for various purposes such as driver coaching and helping drivers become more comfortable with autonomous driving systems.
1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
determining a blending parameter for a driving task for a vehicle, the blending parameter representing a ratio between a driver's level of authority and an autonomous driving system's (ADS's) level of authority in performing the driving task;
correlating the blending parameter to a target sensory perception value to be perceived by the driver through the driver's seat;
using a psychophysical model which correlates physical stimuli to sensory perception via a non-linear relationship to determine a physical stimulus value to produce the target sensory perception value, wherein the psychophysical model considers at least one of:
ambient temperature and humidity in the cabin of the vehicle;
current temperature of upholstery material of the driver's seat;
the upholstery material of the driver's seat;
skin temperature characteristics;
location of an applied temperature vis-a-vie the driver's body; or
stored calibration data related to the driver's perception of physical temperature changes; and
generating the physical stimulus value at the driver's seat thereby communicating to the driver the ADS's level of authority in performing the driving task.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the physical stimulus value and the blending parameter are non-linearly correlated.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the psychophysical model is personalized for the driver.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the target sensory perception value comprises a first temperature; and
the physical stimulus value comprises a second temperature.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the driver's level of authority in performing the driving task comprises a level of authority for the driver's lateral control input; and
the ADS's level of authority in in performing the driving task comprises a level of authority for the ADS's lateral control input.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the blending parameter and the target temperature perception value are linearly correlated.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the target temperature perception value comprises a first temperature; and
the physical temperature stimulus value comprises a second temperature.
8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: the driver's level of authority in performing the driving task comprises a level of authority for the driver's lateral control input; and
the ADS's level of authority in performing the driving task comprises a level of authority for the ADS's lateral control input.
9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the blending parameter and the target sensory perception value are correlated via a linear relationship.
10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , performed dynamically as the blending parameter changes over time.
11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , performed dynamically as the blending parameter changes over time.
12 . A vehicle comprising:
a driver's seat; and
one or more processors including machine executable instructions in non-transitory memory to cause the vehicle to:
determine a blending parameter for a driving task for a vehicle, the blending parameter representing a ratio between a driver's level of authority and the one or more processor's level of authority in performing the driving task;
correlate the blending parameter to a target sensory perception value to be perceived by the driver through the driver's seat;
use a psychophysical model which correlates physical stimuli to sensory perception via a non-linear relationship to determine a physical stimulus value to produce the target sensory perception value, wherein the psychophysical model considers at least one of:
ambient temperature and humidity in the cabin of the vehicle;
current temperature of upholstery material of the driver's seat;
the upholstery material of the driver's seat;
skin temperature characteristics;
location of an applied temperature vis-a-vie the driver's body; or
stored calibration data related to the driver's perception of physical temperature changes; and
generate the physical stimulus value at the driver's seat thereby communicating to the driver the ADS's level of authority in performing the driving task.
13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the blending parameter and the target sensory perception value are correlated via a linear relationship.