Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.

Engaging and disengaging for autonomous driving

A method for controlling vehicle systems includes receiving monitoring information from one or more monitoring systems and determining a plurality of driver states based on the monitoring information from the one or more monitoring systems. The method includes determining a combined driver state based on the plurality of driver states and modifying control of one or more vehicle systems based on the combined driver state.

System and method for responding to driver state

A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle.

User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system

An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120) The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108) When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120) The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108)

Method and apparatus for sensory stimulation

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determining by what degree a driver is gripping a steering wheel. In one example, a computer may send an electrically assisted power steering system (EPS) motor an excitation command to move. The EPS motor may respond by moving a flexible coupling between the steering wheel and the EPS motor. This may cause a corresponding movement at the steering wheel. A torque sensor may generate pattern data by monitoring the flexible coupling during the movement. The EPS motor may generate system position data for the entire steering system, for example, from the tires to the steering wheel. The pattern data and the system position data may be compared by the computer to determine the degree of grip. In this regard, the computer may determine the degree of a driver's grip without the need for additional sensors.

Detecting driver grip on steering wheel

Steering handle, in particular steering wheel, for motor vehicles, on which means are provided for recognition of a contact between at least one hand of the vehicle driver and the steering handle (free hand recognition).

Steering handle for motor vehicles and method for recording a physical parameter on a steering handle

The invention relates to a hydraulic power assisted steering system comprising a steering gear (6) and a hydraulic actuator (20) for supporting a steering-wheel actuation carried out by the driver of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle. Means (22) for actively applying additional steering-wheel torque are associated with said steering system, said means (22) comprising at least one additional torque actuator (23) and a detection means (25) for the steering-wheel torque, which are arranged as a module on a steering wheel shaft (5) connecting the steering wheel (1) to the steering gear (6).

Hydraulic power-assisted steering system

The method of controlling a passenger safety system for a motor vehicle has the passenger seat formed as a capacitive sensor, having an electrode positioned between the seat cover and upholstery which works together with the vehicle mass. The electrode can be a heating wire for the seat heating system, electrically separated from the vehicle mass.

Occupant sensor for motor vehicle seat airbag uses heating wire for seat heater as sensing electrode for passenger

The invention relates to a steering handle, in particular, a steering wheel for motor vehicles, on which means are provided for recognition of the contact between at least one hand of the vehicle driver and the steering handle (free hand recognition).

Steering wheel for motor vehicles with free hand recognition

Verfahren
zur Auslosung und Ubertragung eines Notrufs von
einem Fahrzeug, bei dem das Fahrzeug Mittel zur Detektion der Ausloseursache
fur den Notruf ausweist, eine mit diesen Mitteln zur Detektion verbundene
Steuereinrichtung die Ausloseursache dahingehend auswertet,
ob vorgegebene Unfallkriterien erfullt sind, und wenn diese
Kriterien erfullt sind, mit der Steuereinrichtung verbundene
Mittel zur Kommunikation einen Notruf an eine externe Empfangsstation ubermitteln,
wobei die fur die Ausloseursache des Notrufs reprasentativen
Informationen und vorgebbaren Kriterien uber die Mittel
zur Kommunikation an die Empfangsstation ubertragen werden,
wobei die zu ubertragenden Informationen mittels einer
Medienkonvertierung in fur eine Empfangsstation auswertbare
Form gewandelt werden und dass wahrend der Ubertragung
der reprasentativen Informationen und vorgebbaren Kriterien
weitere Metainformationen uber die Mittel zur Detektion
der Ausloseursache ermittelt, gespeichert und unmittelbar
an die Empfangsstation ubertragen werden, wobei die Empfangsstation
nach dem Empfang und der Auswertung der Ausloseursache
des Notrufs reprasentative Informationen und vorgebbare
Kriterien von den Mitteln der Detektion der Ausloseursache
weitere reprasentative Informationen anfordert.

Andreas Schirling

Papers

Steering handle for motor vehicles and method for recording a physical parameter on a steering handle

Hydraulic power-assisted steering system

Occupant sensor for motor vehicle seat airbag uses heating wire for seat heater as sensing electrode for passenger

Steering wheel for motor vehicles with free hand recognition

Verfahren zur Auslösung und Übertragung eines Notrufs