IL295806A - An autonomous driving instructor - Google Patents

Description

OVDA-101-IL- - 1 - AN AUTONOMOUS DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Technical Field The present invention relates to driving tutelage. More particularly, to methods and systems for training learner drivers automatically and safely. Background As of today, teaching a learner driver how to drive is not easy and can be dangerous. In many countries around the world laws and regulations require learner drivers to obtain hours of experience behind the steering wheel of a motor vehicle before being able to apply for a driver’s license. Many driving instructors around the world supervise, guide, and teach beginning drivers how to operate motor vehicles on roadways in order to allow them to gain the driving experience necessary for a license. Unfortunately, driving instructors are required to instill the proper driving skills, on one hand, and instill a sense of confidence in the learner drivers, on the other hand, all during often stressful situations that arise when learners are learning how to drive. Oftentimes the instructors do not have access to, or control over, the operations of the vehicle, such as the vehicle brake and steering wheel, during training, which can be dangerous. Thus, an improved driver training method and system is needed to assure the safety of learners, instructors, and the public, as learner drivers embark on training in driving motor vehicles. WO2008151942 discloses a system for computer assisted driving education comprising a first camera directed in the driving direction, a second camera directed in the opposite direction, of the driving direction, and OVDA-101-IL- - 2 - one or more sensors for vehicle condition data which supplies data to a processing and a storage unit for simultaneously storing signals from the cameras and the sensor(s). A user input device is provided for registering a manual user input, from the driving teacher, to indicate a situation or event of particular interest. The processing and storage unit is adapted to relate the registered manual user input via the user input device to a sequence of camera and sensor signals. Thereby, it is possible for the instructor to define the events of particular interest, during the progression of a lesson, for later presenting to the driving pupil. Nevertheless, the described method is a limited learning aid. US 10082791 discloses a vehicle including an autonomic vehicle control system. A method for operating the vehicle includes, during operation of the autonomic vehicle control system, determining vehicle and environmental operating conditions and extra-vehicle conditions when the autonomic vehicle control system is activated. A confidence level associated with operation of the autonomic vehicle control system is determined based upon the vehicle operating conditions, the environmental operating conditions, and the extra-vehicle conditions. The confidence level associated with the operation of the autonomic vehicle control system is transmitted via an operator interface device. However, the disclosed system is for determining confidence levels. It would therefore be desired to propose a system void of these deficiencies. Summary It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for guiding, supervising, and training beginning drivers.

OVDA-101-IL- - 3 - It is another object of the present invention to provide an autonomic driver instructor system for teaching learner drivers how to operate motor vehicles. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for teaching the proper driving skills while instilling a sense of confidence in learner drivers. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for teaching and testing learner drivers. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. The present invention is related to a vehicle having an Autonomic Driving Instructor (ADI), for teaching a learner driver, comprising: (a) vehicle controls for human operation comprising: (i) a steering wheel, for steering said vehicle; (ii) a foot brake pedal, for controlling the speed of said vehicle; and (iii) an accelerator pedal, for accelerating the speed of said vehicle; (b) operation sensors for monitoring said vehicle controls; (c) a User Interface (UI) for communicating with said learner driver; and (d) a controller, for controlling at least the speed and the steering of said vehicle, for controlling the movement of said vehicle, and for monitoring said vehicle controls using said operation sensors for determining said learner driver’s driving skills. Preferably, the ADI controls the vehicle controls.

OVDA-101-IL- - 4 - Preferably, the vehicle controls further comprise a turn signal indicator. Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a speedometer. Preferably, the vehicle further comprises at least one of the following: an outer camera, a LIDAR, or a 3-D scanning system. Preferably, the UI comprises at least one of the following: a speaker, a microphone, a camera, or a screen. In one embodiment, the ADI is used to test a learner driver. In one embodiment, the ADI is implemented in a semi-autonomic vehicle. In one embodiment, the ADI is implemented in an autonomic vehicle. In one embodiment, the ADI is implemented in a vehicle having a clutch pedal and a gearstick. In one embodiment, the ADI allows the learner driver the partial control of the vehicle controls while supervising and verifying that said learner driver and said vehicle are safe. Detailed Description The present invention relates to an Autonomic Driving Instructor (ADI). In some embodiments, the ADI may be implemented in a semi- OVDA-101-IL- - 5 - autonomic or a fully autonomic vehicle. Some aspects of the ADI may be implemented in a controller, or any other known hardware systems, and connected to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the ADI may be fully integrated into the hardware of a vehicle, for supervising, guiding, monitoring, and/or training learner drivers. The controller of the ADI may control some of the vehicle’s vital systems, such as the steering system and the braking system, for controlling the vehicle’s movement and speed. The ADI may also control non-vital systems of the vehicle’s such as the turn signal indicator. The ADI may control the systems of the vehicle during the teaching lessons of the learner driver. The ADI may also allow the control of some of the systems, of the vehicle, to the learner driver while the learner driver is learning to drive. The ADI may also allow the partial control of some of the systems of the vehicle to the learner driver while the learner driver is learning to drive, for instilling confidence in the learner driver while supervising and verifying that the learner driver and the vehicle are safe. The vehicle, having an ADI, has vehicle controls for human operation such as a steering wheel, for steering the vehicle, a foot brake pedal for controlling the speed of the vehicle and an accelerator pedal for accelerating the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle may also have a speedometer for indicating to the driver the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle may also have a turn signal indicator for allowing the driver to signal before turning. The vehicle may have mirrors and/or cameras for assisting the driver. The controller of the ADI may control some, or all, of these vehicle controls for teaching and/or for verifying that the driver and the vehicle are safe. For example, the ADI can control the steering system of the vehicle and the braking system of the vehicle for controlling the movement of the vehicle.

OVDA-101-IL- - 6 - The ADI, in the vehicle, may have operation sensors for monitoring the vehicle indicators. In some embodiments, the ADI may be connected directly to the vehicle indicators for monitoring the vehicle indicators. For example, the ADI may be connected to the speedometer of the vehicle or may have a speed sensor for monitoring the speed of the vehicle or may have any other means for monitoring the speed of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the ADI may have operation sensors for monitoring the vehicle controls. In one embodiment, the ADI has means for monitoring the steering of the vehicle. In one embodiment the ADI also has means for monitoring the turn signal indicator of the vehicle. In one embodiment the ADI also has means for monitoring the vehicle movement such as cameras, LIDAR, or any other known 3-D scanning system. The ADI may monitor the vehicle indicators for determining the learner driver’s driving skills. For example, the ADI can monitor that the user first operates the signal before turning, and that he is watching the mirrors of the vehicle before turning, and that his turn is performed from the correct lane to the correct lane without running over the lane markings. The ADI has a User Interface (UI) for communicating with the learner driver by video/audio output and/or photo/vocal input, such as a screen, speaker, camera, microphone, etc. For example, the ADI may request the user, by a speaker, to turn left, where an inner camera may view the user performing the tasks for turning left while an outer camera views the left turn from outside the vehicle. In another example, the learner driver may request the ADI to teach a left park, where the ADI may perform a parallel park to the left while explaining to the driver learner the principles of how to parallel park to the left. The ADI may then allow the driver learner to try to parallel park to the left while the ADI stops the vehicle when the vehicle is too close to another parking vehicle. The ADI may also have other OVDA-101-IL- - 7 - communication means for communicating with the driver learner. The communication means may also be 3D audio/visual communication means for projecting sound and/or video to the learner. In some embodiments, the ADI may also have recording means for recording and visualizing to the driver parts of the teaching lessons, and his reactions during the lessons. In some embodiments, the ADI may also have sensors for determining the anxiety levels of the learner driver, such as cameras, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, etc. In one embodiment, the vehicle, having an ADI comprises vehicle controls for human operation which comprise: a steering wheel, for steering said vehicle; a foot brake pedal, for controlling the speed of the vehicle; and an accelerator pedal, for accelerating the speed of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the ADI also comprises operation sensors for monitoring the vehicle controls and a UI for communicating with said learner driver. In this embodiment the ADI also comprises a controller, for controlling the speed and the steering of the vehicle, for controlling the movement of the vehicle, and for monitoring the vehicle controls using the operation sensors for determining the learner driver’s driving skills. In some embodiments, the ADI may be implemented in a vehicle having a clutch pedal and a gearstick. In one embodiment, the ADI may control the clutch pedal and/or a gearstick for teaching and/or for verifying that the driver and the vehicle are safe. In one embodiment the ADI may have means for monitoring the operation of the clutch pedal and/or the operation of the gearstick for determining the learner driver’s driving skills.

OVDA-101-IL- - 8 - In some embodiments, the ADI may also be used to test a learner driver before granting him a driver’s license. The ADI may monitor the learner driver’s use of the vehicle’s controls, his operation of the vehicle on the road, his compliance of traffic signs, and his performances and reactions during driving. In some embodiments, the ADI may be used as a testing aid. The ADI may record the learner driver’s use of the vehicle’s controls, his operation of the vehicle on the road, his compliance of traffic signs, and his performances and reactions during driving, and then send the recording to another entity, such a human tester, for reviewing the learner driver’s driving. In one embodiment, the ADI may be added or implemented in a simulation system. Some aspects of the ADI may be implemented in a controller, or any other known hardware system, and connected to VR or augmented reality systems such as VM glasses, etc., or may be fully integrated into the hardware of a VR machine, for supervising, guiding, monitoring, and/or training learner drivers. The ADI may also be connected to demo controls for simulating vehicle’s systems, such as the steering system and the braking system, etc. The ADI may control some, or all, of these demo controls of the simulation system during the teaching of the learner driver. The ADI may also simulate to a learner driver the driving experience of a vehicle while instilling confidence in the learner driver. The simulation system may also have a speedometer for indicating to the driver the simulated speed of the vehicle. The simulation system may also have a turn signal indicator for allowing the driver to signal before turning. The ADI, of the simulation system, may be connected to the simulation system indicators. In one embodiment, the ADI may monitor the simulation system indicators for determining the learner driver’s driving skills. The ADI of the simulation system may also have a UI for communicating with the learner driver by OVDA-101-IL- - 9 - video/audio output and/or photo/vocal input, such as a speaker, microphone, camera, screen, etc. The ADI may also have recording means for recording and visualizing to the driver parts of the teaching lessons. In some embodiments, the ADI may also have sensors for determining the anxiety levels of the learner driver, while he is operating the simulation system. In one embodiment the ADI may be implemented in a semi-autonomic vehicle, where a semi-autonomic vehicle may include vehicles having one or more of the known autonomic vehicle control systems, such as an adaptive cruise control system (ACC), a lane guidance and lane keeping system, a lane change system, a steering assist system, an object avoidance system, and/or a parking assistance system, etc. For example, some of the known autonomic vehicle control systems include a system for controlling vehicle braking and acceleration to control vehicle speed and acceleration, including autonomous control of vehicle braking and acceleration to control vehicle speed and acceleration under predetermined conditions. Other known semi-autonomic systems include steering controller for controlling vehicle lateral motion control, e.g., as part of a lane guidance, lane keeping or lane change system. The ADI may be connected to these known systems and may control them and/or monitor them for teaching and/or for verifying that the driver and the vehicle are safe and/or for determining the learner driver’s driving skills. In some embodiments, the semi-autonomic vehicle, which may employ autonomic vehicle control systems and are implemented with an ADI, may also be considered adapted to Level 2 by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This means that the vehicles have advanced driver assistance systems, and that the vehicle can control both steering and accelerating/decelerating. The SAE defines 6 levels of driving automation ranging from 0 (fully manual) to 5 (fully autonomous).

OVDA-101-IL- - 10 - In some embodiments, the semi-autonomic vehicle implemented with an AVI, may also be considered adapted to Level 3 by the SAE, which may have "environmental detection" capabilities and can make informed decisions for themselves, such as accelerating past a slow-moving vehicle. In some embodiments, the semi-autonomic vehicle implemented with an AVI, may also be considered adapted to Level 4 by the SAE, where the autonomic systems of the vehicle can intervene if things go wrong or there is a system failure. These vehicles do not require human interaction in most circumstances, however, a human still has the option to manually override. In some embodiments, the ADI may be implemented in an autonomic vehicle which may be considered adapted to Level 5 by the SAE, where the vehicles may be partially or fully autonomous. For instance, when a vehicle is in an autonomous mode, some or all of the driving aspects of vehicle operation can be handled by the vehicle control system. In such cases, computing devices located onboard and/or in a server network could be operable to carry out functions such as planning a driving route, sensing aspects of the vehicle, sensing the environment of the vehicle, and controlling drive components such as steering, throttle, and brake, while teaching a learner driver how to drive. In some embodiments, the vehicle may employ one or a plurality of autonomic vehicle control systems. The vehicle, including the AVI, may include a four-wheel passenger vehicle with steerable front wheels and fixed rear wheels, a passenger vehicle, a light-duty or heavy-duty truck, a utility vehicle, an agricultural vehicle, an industrial/warehouse vehicle, a OVDA-101-IL- - 11 - recreational off-road vehicle, or any other known vehicle capable of comprising the ADI for teaching driving lessons. It should be appreciated that the functions of the ADI as described may be executed using one or more devices that may include algorithmic code, predetermined calibrations, hardware, application-specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or off-board or cloud-based computing systems. Alternatively, the sensing devices can include object-locating sensing devices including range sensors, such as FM-CW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radars, pulse and FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) radars, and Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) devices, and ultrasonic devices which rely upon effects such as Doppler-effect measurements to locate forward objects. The possible object-locating devices include charged-coupled devices or complementary metal oxide semi-conductor video image sensors, and other known camera/video image processors which utilize digital photographic methods to ‘view’ forward objects including one or more object vehicle(s). Such sensing systems are employed for detecting and locating objects in automotive applications and are useable with systems including adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, pre-crash safety, and side-object detection. The ADI may also communicate with one or more devices that monitor biometric data associated with the vehicle operator, including, e.g., eye gaze location, posture, and head position tracking, among others. Such biometric monitoring devices and systems are known in the art. UI devices that are capable of transmitting a message urging operator action can include an electronic visual display module, e.g., a liquid crystal OVDA-101-IL- - 12 - display (LCD) device, a heads-up display, an audio feedback device, a wearable device and a haptic seat. In some embodiments, the ADI may project information that is reflected onto an interior side of a windshield of the vehicle, in the field of view of the operator, including transmitting information associated with operation of the vehicle control systems. The ADI may also provide augmented reality information, such as lane location, vehicle path, directional and/or navigational information, and the like. The terms controller, refer to any one or various combinations of Application Specific Integrated Circuit(s) (ASIC), electronic circuit(s), central processing unit(s), e.g., microprocessor(s) and associated non-transitory memory component in the form of memory and storage devices (read only, programmable read only, random access, hard drive, etc While the above description discloses many embodiments and specifications of the invention, these were described by way of illustration and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. The described invention may be carried into practice with many modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1.OVDA-101-IL- - 13 - Claims 1. A vehicle having an Autonomic Driving Instructor (ADI) for teaching a learner driver comprising: vehicle controls for human operation comprising: a steering wheel, for steering said vehicle; a foot brake pedal, for controlling the speed of said vehicle; and an accelerator pedal, for accelerating the speed of said vehicle; operation sensors for monitoring said vehicle controls; a User Interface (UI) for communicating with said learner driver; and a controller, for controlling at least the speed and the steering of said vehicle, for controlling the movement of said vehicle, and for monitoring said vehicle controls using said operation sensors for determining said learner driver ’s driving skills.

2. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where the ADI controls the vehicle controls.

3. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where said vehicle controls further comprise a turn signal indicator.

4. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, further comprising a speedometer.

5. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following: an outer camera, a LIDAR, or a 3-D scanning system.

6. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where the UI comprises at least one of the following: a speaker, a microphone, a camera, or a screen.

7. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where the ADI is used to test a learner driver.

8. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where said ADI is implemented in a semi-autonomic vehicle. OVDA-101-IL- - 14 -

9. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where said ADI is implemented in an autonomic vehicle.

10. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where the ADI is implemented in a vehicle having a clutch pedal and a gearstick.

11. A vehicle having an ADI according to claim 1, where said ADI allows the learner driver the partial control of the vehicle controls while supervising and verifying that said learner driver and said vehicle are safe.