A first imaging section 201 captures an image of the vehicle exterior, and a second imaging section 202 captures an image of a driver. An image processing section 203 detects the driver's line of sight. An information acquisition section 205 acquires status information indicative of the surrounding environment. A driving parameter information generation section 206 generates driving parameter information by use of, as parameter information, the current position detected by a self-position detection section 204, travel control information generated by a travel control section, information indicative of the driver's line of sight, information indicative of the surrounding environment, and the like. A determination section 209 determines whether there is a danger on the basis of a difference between the driving parameter information indicative of the state of the vehicle or of its driver on one hand, and optimum parameter information indicative of an optimum state of the vehicle or of its driver in the current position and in the current surrounding environment on the other hand. An information presentation section 214 presents driving assistance information on the basis of a result of the determination. On the basis of the determination result, a travel control section 210 provides traveling assistance such as to reduce the difference in parameter information. The present technology enables appropriate driving assistance.

This technology relates to dynamically detecting, managing and mitigating driver fatigue in autonomous systems. For instance, interactions of a driver in a vehicle may be monitored to determine a distance or time when primary tasks associated with operation of the vehicle or secondary tasks issued by the vehicle computing were last performed. If primary tasks or secondary tasks are not performed within given distance thresholds or time limits, then one or more secondary tasks are initiated by the computing device of the vehicle. In another instance, potential driver fatigue, driver distraction or overreliance on an automated driving system is detected based on gaze direction or pattern of a driver. For example, a detected gaze direction or pattern may be compared to an expected gaze direction or pattern given the surrounding environment in a vicinity of the vehicle.

An information processing device of this disclosure includes: a direction determination unit that determines at least one of a face orientation and a line-of-sight direction of a subject included in an image captured by a camera; and a determination unit that, based on a variation of at least one of the face orientation and the line-of-sight direction in time series, performs a determination process as to whether or not to permit the subject to operate an operation object.

A driver assist design analysis system includes a processing system and a database that stores vehicle data, vehicle operational data, vehicle accident data, and environmental data related to the configuration and operation of a plurality of vehicles with driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system also includes one or more analysis engines that execute on the processing system to determine one or more driving anomalies (e.g., accidents or poor driving operation) based on the vehicle operational data, and that correlate or determine a statistical relationship between the driving anomalies and the operation of the driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system then determines an effectiveness of operation of one or more of the driver assist systems or features based on the statistical relationship to determine a potential design flaw in the driver assist systems or features, and the driver assist design analysis system notifies a user or receiver of the potential design flaw.

A driver assist design analysis system includes a processing system and a database that stores vehicle data, vehicle operational data, vehicle accident data, and environmental data related to the configuration and operation of a plurality of vehicles with driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system also includes one or more analysis engines that execute on the processing system to determine one or more driving anomalies (e.g., accidents or poor driving operation) based on the vehicle operational data, and that correlate or determine a statistical relationship between the driving anomalies and the operation of the driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system then determines an effectiveness of operation of one or more of the driver assist systems or features based on the statistical relationship to determine a potential design flaw in the driver assist systems or features, and the driver assist design analysis system notifies a user or receiver of the potential design flaw.

An autonomous vehicle which transports a user through autonomous driving, having: a body temperature sensor that detects a body temperature of the user; in-cabin signage attached in a vehicle cabin; and a sanitation controller that adjusts a sanitation state in the vehicle cabin. When the body temperature of the user detected by the body temperature sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the sanitation controller causes the in-cabin signage to display a sanitation caution message.

This technology relates to dynamically detecting, managing and mitigating driver fatigue in autonomous systems. For instance, interactions of a driver in a vehicle may be monitored to determine a distance or time when primary tasks associated with operation of the vehicle or secondary tasks issued by the vehicle computing were last performed. If primary tasks or secondary tasks are not performed within given distance thresholds or time limits, then one or more secondary tasks are initiated by the computing device of the vehicle. In another instance, potential driver fatigue, driver distraction or overreliance on an automated driving system is detected based on gaze direction or pattern of a driver. For example, a detected gaze direction or pattern may be compared to an expected gaze direction or pattern given the surrounding environment in a vicinity of the vehicle.

The invention relates to a device for determining the driving behavior of a driver, the device comprising at least means for receiving data from two or more data sources, of which at least one produces data relating to changes in the state of motion of a vehicle and at least one other produces measured data on the well-being of the driver; means for scoring the received data by comparing it with data-specific reference values; means for forming a respective sub-index from each scored item of data; means for determining a driving behavior index on the basis of the formed sub-indices; and means for controlling control equipment of the vehicle on the basis of the driving behavior index and/or for storing the driving behavior index in a database.

The invention relates to a device for determining the driving behavior of a driver, the device comprising at least means for receiving data from two or more data sources, of which at least one produces data relating to changes in the state of motion of a vehicle and at least one other produces measured data on the well-being of the driver; means for scoring the received data by comparing it with data-specific reference values; means for forming a respective sub-index from each scored item of data; means for determining a driving behavior index on the basis of the formed sub-indices; and means for controlling control equipment of the vehicle on the basis of the driving behavior index and/or for storing the driving behavior index in a database.

An accelerator pedal system includes a pedal lever, a lock mechanism, an actuator, and an ECU. The pedal lever operates according to a step-on operation. The lock mechanism can restrict an operation of the pedal lever. The actuator switches between a locked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is restricted by the lock mechanism and an unlocked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is not restricted. The ECU includes a lock operation determination unit and an actuator control unit. The lock operation determination unit determines switching of the locked state and the unlocked state by the lock mechanism. The actuator control unit controls a drive of the actuator. The lock operation determination unit releases the locked state of the pedal lever when a driver's intention to accelerate is detected while a vehicle is traveling in the locked state.