Automated driving system

An automated driving system "is a driving system of automobiles that can be defined as systems where perception, decision making, and operation by a human driver while driving an automobile are performed by electronics and machinery instead of a human driver, and as introduction of automation into road traffic."^[1] This included handling of the vehicle, destination, as well as awareness of surroundings.

The automated driving system is generally an integrated package of individual automated systems operating in concert. Automated driving implies that any human sitting in the driver's seat (or not) has transferred all real-time driving functions (i.e., all appropriate monitoring, agency, and action functions) to the vehicle automation system.

Automated vehicle system technology hierarchy

Automated driving systems are often conditional, which implies that the automation system is capable of automated driving, but not for all conditions encountered in the course of normal operation.^[2] Therefore, a human driver is functionally required to initiate the automated driving system, and may or may not do so when driving conditions are within the capability of the system. When the vehicle automation system has assumed all driving functions, the human is no longer driving the vehicle but continues to assume responsibility for the vehicle's performance as the vehicle operator. The automated vehicle operator is not functionally required to actively monitor the vehicle's performance while the automation system is engaged, but the operator must be available to resume driving within several seconds of being prompted to do so, as the system has limited conditions of automation. While the automated driving system is engaged, certain conditions may prevent real-time human input, but for no more than a few seconds. The operator is able to resume driving at any time subject to this short delay. When the operator has resumed all driving functions, he or she re-assumes the status of the vehicle's driver. This technology is progressing to a more reliable way of the automated driving cars to switch from auto-mode to driver mode. Auto-mode is the mode that is set in order for the automated actions t take over, while the driver mode is the mode set in order to have the operator controlling all functions of the car and taking the responsibilities of operating the vehicle.This definition would include vehicle automation systems that may be available in the near term—such as traffic-jam assist, or full-range automated cruise control—if such systems would be designed such that the human operator can reasonably divert attention (monitoring) away from the performance of the vehicle while the automation system is engaged. This definition would also include automated platooning (such as conceptualized by the SARTRE project).

Full automation implies that a human operator may or may not be physically present in the vehicle. If the operator is in the vehicle, the operator is not functionally required to monitor the vehicle's performance at any time.^[3] If the operator is in the vehicle, the operator is able to assume driving at any time, subject to a delay of no more than a few seconds. If the operator assumes all driving functions, he or she assumes the responsibility of vehicle driver until he/she re-initiates the automated driving system, or the trip ends. The operator may provide instructional input (such as re-routing instructions) to the system at any time. If the operator is in the vehicle, he or she may or may not provide limited directional input (such as vehicle speed or specific re-routing actions) at any time, depending on specific driving conditions or system configuration.

These classifications^[4] reflect ongoing standardization in such organizations as the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the German Federal Highway Safety Institute BASt and SAE International. Such taxonomies have not been finalized or standardized, and are not universally accepted at this time. However, these definitions reflect an up-to-date emerging consensus. Currently,the SAE International has created a method to classify various levels of automation that begins with 0 (no automation) all the way to 5 (full automation). Each of the different levels contains a brief description, along with 4 unique characteristics of the automated system that assist in classifying a system under review.^[5]

Automated driving systems are currently under development, and self-driving cars may soon be seen on the roads in some jurisdictions.^[6]

Not only have there been testing and successful parts to the automated car, but there has also been extensive testing in California on automated busses. “The lateral control of the automated buses uses magnetic markers such as the platoon at San Diego, and the longitudinal control of the automated truck platoon uses millimeter wave radio and radar. Current examples around today’s society include the google car (reference picture), and the Tesla’s models. Tesla has redesigned automated driving, they have created car models that allow drivers to put in the destination and let the car take over. These are two modern day examples of the automated driving system cars.

Risks and Liabilities

The automated driving system uses sensors that detect its surrounding, but there are many situations where unpredictable events such as weather or the erratic behaviors of other drivers could cause a fatal accident. Operators of vehicles that utilize automated driving systems are stressed to stay attentive to the roads, and safety warnings are implemented to make sure that operators are attentive. ^[7]

There has been one recorded incident relating to automated driving systems which resulted in a fatality in Tesla’s Model S.^[8] The accident report reveals that the accident was a result of the driver being inattentive and the Autopilot system not recognizing the obstruction ahead.

References

[1] AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS: COMMON GROUND OF AUTOMOBILES AND ROBOTS by: SADAYUKI TSUGAWA