METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE AND FOR OPERATING A MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle driving autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method for operating a vehicle, comprising: one of autonomously driving by the vehicle, or the vehicle driving via remote control, wherein the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the manufacturing system includes an assembly line for vehicle manufacturing and a parking facility, the vehicle driving to the parking facility at the end of the assembly line and parking in the parking facility.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the manufacturing system includes an assembly line for vehicle manufacturing, the vehicle driving from one assembly station to another assembly station of the assembly line.

17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the vehicle drives to one or multiple test facility(ies) during its driving operation for the purpose of carrying out one or multiple vehicle test(s).

18. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the driving operation of the vehicle is at least one of monitored and documented, at least partially, with the aid of a vehicle-external monitoring system.

19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein vehicle-internal vehicle data, which are generated during the driving operation, are at least one of monitored and documented.

20. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the vehicle receives data which are relevant for the autonomous driving operation and based on which the vehicle drives autonomously within the manufacturing system.

21. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one remote-control instruction for remotely controlled driving is received by the vehicle, the vehicle driving correspondingly remotely controlled in response to the at least one remote-control instruction.

22. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the vehicle orients itself toward a vehicle-external navigation infrastructure during its driving operation.

23. A method for operating a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles, the method comprising: one of autonomously driving by the vehicle, or the vehicle driving via remote control, wherein the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles; wherein a vehicle carries out the method with the aid of the manufacturing system within the scope of a manufacture of the vehicle.

24. A vehicle configured to: one of autonomously drive, or drive via remote control, wherein the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles.

25. A manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles, the system configured to: aid in the manufacture of a vehicle, the vehicle one of autonomously driving by the vehicle, or the vehicle driving via remote control, within the manufacturing system for manufacturing the vehicle.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program including program code for operating a vehicle, the program code, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform: one of autonomously driving by the vehicle, or the vehicle driving via remote control, wherein the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a vehicle.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a further method for operating a vehicle.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of another method for operating a vehicle.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a manufacturing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a vehicle.

[0055] According to a step 101 it is provided that the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled within a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a further method for operating a vehicle.

[0057] In a step 201 it is provided that the vehicle drives from one end of an assembly line of the manufacturing system to a parking facility of the manufacturing system and parks itself there according to a step 203, e.g., in a parking position.

[0058] This therefore means that the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled to a parking position in a parking facility after its completion.

[0059] This advantageously allows for an autonomous driving functionality or a remote-control functionality of the vehicle to be tested. A parking functionality of the vehicle may thereby in particular be tested. The vehicle is, for example, an AVP vehicle.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of another method for operating a vehicle.

[0061] According to a step 301 it is provided that the vehicle drives within the manufacturing system to a first test facility during its driving operation. One or multiple test(s) may be carried out there. In a step 303, it is then provided that the vehicle drives to another test facility where one or multiple test(s) is/are also carried out on the vehicle. According to a step 305, it is subsequently provided that the vehicle drives to a parking position in a parking facility of the manufacturing system.

[0062] In one specific embodiment (not shown), it is provided that the vehicle drives to more than two test facilities.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle 401 which is configured to carry out the method for operating a vehicle.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a manufacturing system 501 for manufacturing vehicles, e.g., a vehicle according to vehicle 401 of FIG. 4, manufacturing system 501 being configured to carry out a method for operating a manufacturing system for manufacturing vehicles, a vehicle carrying out the method for operating a vehicle with the aid of the manufacturing system within the scope of its manufacture.

[0065] This therefore means in particular that within the scope of its manufacture the vehicle drives autonomously within the parking facility or drives remotely controlled within the manufacturing system.

[0066] In summary, the present invention in particular and, inter alia, provides a technical concept in which a valet parking functionality, i.e., an automatic parking functionality, may be used for supporting the production or manufacturing process in the course of the production at a manufacturer (also referred to as OEM, OEM standing for original equipment manufacturer). In this way, it is advantageously possible to test and/or validate in parallel this valet parking functionality in addition to the completion of manufacture.

[0067] According to the present invention, at the end of the production process the AVP vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled from the conveyor belt, i.e., in particular at the end of the assembly line, to the OEM parking facility for produced vehicles, i.e., a parking facility outside of production.

[0068] In this way, the vehicle or the valet parking function or functionality is advantageously tested and/or validated at the same time with regard to its function. This means that the production or the plant, i.e., the manufacturing system for the AVP functionality in general, becomes a parking facility, in particular a parking deck. In this application, the manufacturer or OEM becomes a parking facility management system, for example. This therefore means that the manufacturing system takes over the functionality of a parking facility management system with regard to the AVP functionality.

[0069] A difference from conventional valet parking is in particular to be seen in that the vehicle remains in the parking facility after parking there, i.e., in particular after parking in the parking position, and does not drive back to a pick-up position at which the driver may pick up his/her vehicle within the scope of valet parking.

[0070] Another difference is in particular to be seen in that a parallel testing and/or validating is possible and/or is carried out according to the present invention.

[0071] The driving operation is preferably monitored and documented by a monitoring system in the process.

[0072] The vehicle-internal data are preferably also monitored and documented.

[0073] In another specific embodiment, it is provided that one or multiple test(s) and/or validation action(s) available on the way, i.e., from the end of the assembly line to the parking facility, take (s) place or are carried out.

[0074] According to one specific embodiment, it is provided that certain stops for additional actions are made on the way from the end of the conveyor belt, i.e., from the end of the assembly line to the parking facility; this means that the vehicle stops at one or multiple test facility(ies). For example, the tests may be selected randomly. One test may, for example, be a dent test or a paint test. Multiple tests are carried out in particular.

[0075] If it is possible that the AVP function or functionality is ready for operation already before a last production or manufacturing step, it is provided according to one specific embodiment that the AVP functionality is used already during the production or manufacture, e.g., so that the vehicle drives autonomously or remotely controlled from one production or manufacturing step A to another manufacturing step B.