COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SIMULATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING CONTROL UNITS

Abstract

A computer-implemented simulation method is described for testing a driving program for the at least partial autonomous guidance of a test vehicle. The test vehicle is moved by the driving program on a simulated road. A second vehicle in the simulation method is moved as a function of control commands of a user. The test vehicle and the second vehicle are displayed to the user including the road, data relating to the guidance of the test vehicle being collected and stored during the simulation method. A system is also described.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A computer-implemented simulation method for testing a driving program for at least partially autonomous guidance of a test vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: moving the test vehicle by the driving program in a simulated setting; moving a second vehicle in the simulation method as a function of control commands of a user; visually displaying the test vehicle and the second vehicle to the user, including the setting; and collecting and storing data relating to guidance of the test vehicle during the simulation method.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein data relating to guidance of the second vehicle are collected and stored during the simulation method.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein driving scenarios are stored, driving scenarios occurring during the simulation being compared with the stored driving scenarios, at least a portion of control commands of the driving program for the test vehicle and/or at least a portion of control commands for the second vehicle being detected and stored when predefined similarity or identity of a stored vehicle scenario with a driving scenario occurring in the simulation exists.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the control commands of the driving program for the test vehicle are detected and stored during a predefined time period.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the control commands for the second vehicle are detected and stored during a predefined time period.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein at least one of the stored driving scenarios includes a departure from a road of the setting by the test vehicle or a departure from the road by the second vehicle or a collision of the vehicle with the test vehicle or a triggered error mode of the driving program.

20. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the stored data of the test vehicle are used in order to change at least a portion of control commands of the driving program, the changed driving program being used by a control unit to control a real vehicle.

21. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein a functionality of the second vehicle is improved when a new driving scenario for the test vehicle has occurred during the simulation.

22. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein a real-time simulation of a program of a control unit is used as a driving program for at least semi-automated guidance of a real vehicle.

23. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein instructions for the user are output in order to carry out a predefined driving situation in conjunction with the test vehicle.

24. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein hazard metrics are calculated.

25. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein instructions for the user are output, which evaluate an assessment of control of the second vehicle.

26. A system for testing at least one control unit or one driving program of the control unit, comprising: at least one test unit; and at least one control unit or one driving program of the control unit, the test unit being couplable to the control unit or to the driving program; wherein system is configured to: move a test vehicle using the driving program in a simulated setting; moving a second vehicle in a simulation as a function of control commands of a user; visually display the test vehicle and the second vehicle to the user, including the setting; and collect and store data relating to guidance of the test vehicle during the simulation method.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically shows a comparison between a conventional simulation and the method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 schematically shows a representation of a system that includes multiple test units in accordance with the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically shows a flow chart for illustrating a method according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a comparison between a conventional simulation 2 and simulation method 1 according to the present invention. In conventional simulations 2, in particular, established situations or driving scenarios are defined by experts, which are taken into account by the simulation. According to the exemplary embodiment, a drive-up situation 3 and an expressway section 4 are displayed as driving scenarios of conventional simulation 2.

[0039] In method 1 according to the present invention, different scenarios 6, 8 may be generated and stored by an arbitrary number of users. For the sake of simplicity, two scenarios 6, 8 are depicted, an arbitrary number of scenarios being represented and executed by the users. At least one driving scenario 9 executed by a user may be at least partially stored and compared with previously stored driving scenarios 6, 8. In this way, it is possible to eliminate similar or identical driving scenarios.

[0040] The parameters, traffic situations, environmental conditions, vehicle density and the like may be arbitrarily adjusted. The behavior of at least one second vehicle 12 manually controlled by the user with respect to a vehicle or test vehicle 10 controlled in an automated manner by a control unit 22 may, in particular, be directly influenced.

[0041] FIG. 2 schematically shows a representation of a system 14 including multiple test units 16. Test units 16 according to the exemplary embodiment are designed as computers and are controlled by users 18.

[0042] Test units 16 include a memory 20, in which a test program 22 is stored. Test units 16, controlled by users 18, are able, in particular, to carry out method 1 by executing test program 22. Executed driving scenarios 6, 8, 9 may be stored on memory 20.

[0043] Test units 16 are each coupled to control units 24. Control units 24 in this case may be designed in the form of control software or of the driving program or as hardware-based control units. With control units 24, it is possible to control vehicles 10 operable in an automated manner in the virtual environment. As part of executed scenarios 6, 8, 9, control units 24 may be subjected to different conditions and situations, which are freely determinable by users 18.

[0044] Respective test units 16 are connected to each other via communication links 26, 28 and data-transmittingly to an external server unit 30. For this purpose, test units 16 may include communication units, not shown for the sake of clarity, for establishing communication links 26, 28.

[0045] FIG. 3 schematically shows a flow chart for illustrating a method 1 according to one specific embodiment of the present invention. Computer-implemented simulation method 1 is used to test a driving program for the at least partially autonomous guidance of test vehicle 10.

[0046] In one step, test vehicle 10 is moved 31 by the driving program in a simulated setting.

[0047] Second vehicle 12 is moved 32 in simulation method 1 as a function of control commands of a user 18. Additional vehicles controlled by additional users or by the test program may also be positioned in the virtual setting and may interact with test vehicle 10.

[0048] Test vehicle 10 and at least second vehicle 12 are visually displayed 33 with the setting to user 18.

[0049] Test data for carrying out an evaluation are collected 34 during the execution of driving scenarios 6, 8, 9. The test data may include, for example, trajectories of involved vehicles 10, 12 and the virtual sensor data, which are stored as a function of the simulation time. In addition, the test data may also include the control commands of users 18 and of control unit 24 and possible error messages.