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Table of Content
14 February 2024, Volume 7 Issue 1

    Preface for Feature Topic on Human Driver Behaviours for Intelligent Vehicles

    Dongpu Cao, Argyrios Zolotas, Meng Wang, Mohammad Pirani & Wenbo Li
    2024, 7(1):  1-3.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00282-9
    Abstract ( )   PDF  
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    With the advancement of sensing, machine learning, and computing systems, automated driving applications have been growing rapidly worldwide. Together with the development of communication technologies such as dedicated short-range communication, extensively emerging intelligent vehicles have been developed to connect with vehicles, pedestrians, infrastructures, and clouds in the transportation network. Thus, intelligent vehicles have become intelligent mobile terminal that carries rich functions and services, which expand and deepen the scope of human–machine interaction between human drivers and intelligent vehicles in the intelligent cockpit. Human drivers are the center of intelligent vehicles. To make future vehicles trustworthy in driving safety, acceptable in social travel efficiency, and comfortable in the driving experience, developing technologies based on human drivers’ reliable knowledge and cognitive intelligence together with smart operation is an essential and promising solution. However, there are many challenges to be addressed including real-time human driver perception, adaptive regulation of inappropriate driving operation, safe and comfortable interaction between human drivers and intelligent vehicles intelligent cockpits, etc.

    To alleviate these challenges, emerging technologies based on artificial intelligence are gradually becoming overwhelming in the related communities. This special issue aims to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and policymakers to publish their latest research findings or engineering experiences in developing and applying novel technologies to address the challenges concerning human driver behaviours for intelligent vehicles.

    Four articles are collected in this feature topic that promotes the recent advances in the field of human driver behaviours for intelligent vehicles. The core contributions of these four articles are summarized below.

    Review and Perspectives on Human Emotion for Connected Automated Vehicles

    Wenbo Li, Guofa Li, Ruichen Tan, Cong Wang, Zemin Sun, Ying Li, Gang Guo, Dongpu Cao & Keqiang Li
    2024, 7(1):  4-44.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00270-z
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    The progression toward automated driving and the latest advancement in vehicular networking have led to novel and natural human-vehicle-road systems, in which affective human-vehicle interaction is a crucial factor affecting the acceptance, safety, comfort, and traffic efficiency of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). This development has inspired increasing interest in how to develop affective interaction framework for intelligent cockpit in CAVs. To enable affective human-vehicle interactions in CAVs, knowledge from multiple research areas is needed, including automotive engineering, transportation engineering, human–machine interaction, computer science, communication, as well as industrial engineering. However, there is currently no systematic survey considering the close relationship between human-vehicle-road and human emotion in the human-vehicle-road coupling process in the CAV context. To facilitate progress in this area, this paper provides a comprehensive literature survey on emotion-related studies from multi-aspects for better design of affective interaction in intelligent cockpit for CAVs. This paper discusses the multimodal expression of human emotions, investigates the human emotion experiment in driving, and particularly emphasizes previous knowledge on human emotion detection, regulation, as well as their applications in CAVs. The promising research perspectives are outlined for researchers and engineers from different research areas to develop CAVs with better acceptance, safety, comfort, and enjoyment for users.

    Driver Steering Behaviour Modelling Based on Neuromuscular Dynamics and Multi-Task Time-Series Transformer

    Yang Xing, Zhongxu Hu, Xiaoyu Mo, Peng Hang, Shujing Li, Yahui Liu, Yifan Zhao & Chen Lv
    2024, 7(1):  45-58.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00272-x
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    Driver steering intention prediction provides an augmented solution to the design of an onboard collaboration mechanism between human driver and intelligent vehicle. In this study, a multi-task sequential learning framework is developed to predict future steering torques and steering postures based on upper limb neuromuscular electromyography signals. The joint representation learning for driving postures and steering intention provides an in-depth understanding and accurate modelling of driving steering behaviours. Regarding different testing scenarios, two driving modes, namely, both-hand and single-right-hand modes, are studied. For each driving mode, three different driving postures are further evaluated. Next, a multi-task time-series transformer network (MTS-Trans) is developed to predict the future steering torques and driving postures based on the multi-variate sequential input and the self-attention mechanism. To evaluate the multi-task learning performance and information-sharing characteristics within the network, four distinct two-branch network architectures are evaluated. Empirical validation is conducted through a driving simulator-based experiment, encompassing 21 participants. The proposed model achieves accurate prediction results on future steering torque prediction as well as driving posture recognition for both two-hand and single-hand driving modes. These findings hold significant promise for the advancement of driver steering assistance systems, fostering mutual comprehension and synergy between human drivers and intelligent vehicles.

    Curve Trajectory Model for Human Preferred Path Planning of Automated Vehicles

    Gergo Ferenc Igneczi, Erno Horvath, Roland Toth & Krisztian Nyilas
    2024, 7(1):  59-70.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00259-8
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    Automated driving systems are often used for lane keeping tasks. By these systems, a local path is planned ahead of the vehicle. However, these paths are often found unnatural by human drivers. In response to this, this paper proposes a linear driver model, which can calculate node points reflective of human driver preferences and based on these node points a human driver preferred motion path can be designed for autonomous driving. The model input is the road curvature, effectively harnessed through a self-developed Euler-curve-based curve fitting algorithm. A comprehensive case study is undertaken to empirically validate the efficacy of the proposed model, demonstrating its capacity to emulate the average behavioral patterns observed in human curve path selection. Statistical analyses further underscore the model's robustness, affirming the authenticity of the established relationships. This paradigm shift in trajectory planning holds promising implications for the seamless integration of autonomous driving systems with human driving preferences.

    A Hierarchical LSTM-Based Vehicle Trajectory Prediction Method Considering Interaction Information

    Haitao Min, Xiaoyong Xiong, Pengyu Wang & Zhaopu Zhang
    2024, 7(1):  71-81.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00261-0
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    Trajectory prediction is an essential component in autonomous driving systems, as it can forecast the future movements of surrounding vehicles, thereby enhancing the decision-making and planning capabilities of autonomous driving systems. Traditional models relying on constant acceleration and constant velocity often experience a reduction in prediction accuracy as the forecasted timeframe extends. This limitation makes it challenging to meet the demands for medium to long-term trajectory prediction. Conversely, data-driven models, particularly those based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, have demonstrated superior performance in medium to long-term trajectory prediction. Therefore, this study introduces a hierarchical LSTM-based method for vehicle trajectory prediction. Considering the difficulty of using a single LSTM model to predict trajectories for all driving intentions, the trajectory prediction task is decomposed into three sequential steps: driving intention prediction, lane change time prediction, and trajectory prediction. Furthermore, given that the driving intent and trajectory of a vehicle are always subject to the influence of the surrounding traffic flow, the predictive model proposed in this paper incorporates the interactional information of neighboring vehicle movements into the model input. The proposed method is trained and validated on the real vehicle trajectory dataset Next Generation Simulation. The results show that the proposed hierarchical LSTM method has a lower prediction error compared to the integral LSTM model.

    Review of Electrical and Electronic Architectures for Autonomous Vehicles: Topologies, Networking and Simulators

    Wenwei Wang, Kaidi Guo, Wanke Cao, Hailong Zhu, Jinrui Nan & Lei Yu
    2024, 7(1):  82-101.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00266-9
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    With the rapid development of autonomous vehicles, more and more functions and computing requirements have led to the continuous centralization in the topology of electrical and electronic (E/E) architectures. While certain Tier1 suppliers, such as BOSCH, have previously proposed a serial roadmap for E/E architecture development, implemented since 2015 with significant contributions to the automotive industry, lingering misconceptions and queries persist in actual engineering processes. Notably, there are concerns regarding the perspective of zone-oriented E/E architectures, characterized by zonal concentration, as successors to domain-oriented E/E architectures, known for functional concentration. Addressing these misconceptions and queries, this study introduces a novel parallel roadmap for E/E architecture development, concurrently evaluating domain-oriented and zone-oriented schemes. Furthermore, the study explores hybrid E/E architectures, amalgamating features from both paradigms. To align with the evolution of E/E architectures, networking technologies must adapt correspondingly. The networking mechanisms pivotal in E/E architecture design are comprehensively discussed. Additionally, the study delves into modeling and verification tools pertinent to E/E architecture topologies. In conclusion, the paper outlines existing challenges and unresolved queries in this domain.

    Human–Machine Shared Lateral Control Strategy for Intelligent Vehicles Based on Human Driver Risk Perception Reliability

    Dongjian Song, Bing Zhu, Jian Zhao & Jiayi Han
    2024, 7(1):  102-120.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00257-w
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    Intelligent vehicle (IV) technology has developed rapidly in recent years. However, achieving fully unmanned driving still presents numerous challenges, which means that human drivers will continue to play a vital role in vehicle operation for the foreseeable future. Human–machine shared driving, involving cooperation between a human driver and an automated driving system (AVS), has been widely regarded as a necessary stage for the development of IVs. Focusing on IV driving safety, this study proposed a human–machine shared lateral control strategy (HSLCS) based on the reliability of driver risk perception. The HSLCS starts by identifying the effective areas of driver risk perception based on eye movements. It establishes an anisotropic driving risk field, which serves as the foundation for the AVS to assess risk levels. Building upon the cumulative and diminishing effects of risk perception, the proposed approach leverages the driver's risk perception effective area and converts the risk field into a representation aligned with the driver's perspective. Subsequently, it quantifies the reliability of the driver's risk perception by using area-matching rules. Finally, based on the driver’s risk perception reliability and differences in lateral driving operation between the human driver and the AVS, the dynamic distribution of driving authority is achieved through a fuzzy rule-based system, and the human–machine shared lateral control is completed by using model predictive control. The HSLCS was tested across various scenarios on a driver-in-the-loop test platform. The results show that the HSLCS can realize the synergy and complementarity of human and machine intelligence, effectively ensuring the safety of IV operation.

    LLTH-YOLOv5: A Real-Time Traffic Sign Detection Algorithm for Low-Light Scenes

    Xiaoqiang Sun, Kuankuan Liu, Long Chen, Yingfeng Cai & Hai Wang
    2024, 7(1):  121-137.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00249-w
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    Traffic sign detection is a crucial task for autonomous driving systems. However, the performance of deep learning-based algorithms for traffic sign detection is highly affected by the illumination conditions of scenarios. While existing algorithms demonstrate high accuracy in well-lit environments, they suffer from low accuracy in low-light scenarios. This paper proposes an end-to-end framework, LLTH-YOLOv5, specifically tailored for traffic sign detection in low-light scenarios, which enhances the input images to improve the detection performance. The proposed framework comproses two stages: the low-light enhancement stage and the object detection stage. In the low-light enhancement stage, a lightweight low-light enhancement network is designed, which uses multiple non-reference loss functions for parameter learning, and enhances the image by pixel-level adjustment of the input image with high-order curves. In the object detection stage, BIFPN is introduced to replace the PANet of YOLOv5, while designing a transformer-based detection head to improve the accuracy of small target detection. Moreover, GhostDarkNet53 is utilized based on Ghost module to replace the backbone network of YOLOv5, thereby improving the real-time performance of the model. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly improves the accuracy of traffic sign detection in low-light scenarios, while satisfying the real-time requirements of autonomous driving.

    In-Vehicle Network Injection Attacks Detection Based on Feature Selection and Classification

    Haojie Ji, Liyong Wang, Hongmao Qin, Yinghui Wang, Junjie Zhang & Biao Chen
    2024, 7(1):  138-149.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00273-w
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    Detecting abnormal data generated from cyberattacks has emerged as a crucial approach for identifying security threats within in-vehicle networks. The transmission of information through in-vehicle networks needs to follow specific data formats and communication protocols regulations. Typically, statistical algorithms are employed to learn these variation rules and facilitate the identification of abnormal data. However, the effectiveness of anomaly detection outcomes often falls short when confronted with highly deceptive in-vehicle network attacks. In this study, seven representative classification algorithms are selected to detect common in-vehicle network attacks, and a comparative analysis is employed to identify the most suitable and favorable detection method. In consideration of the communication protocol characteristics of in-vehicle networks, an optimal convolutional neural network (CNN) detection algorithm is proposed that uses data field characteristics and classifier selection, and its comprehensive performance is tested. In addition, the concept of Hamming distance between two adjacent packets within the in-vehicle network is introduced, enabling the proposal of an enhanced CNN algorithm that achieves robust detection of challenging-to-identify abnormal data. This paper also presents the proposed CNN classification algorithm that effectively addresses the issue of high false negative rate (FNR) in abnormal data detection based on the timestamp feature of data packets. The experimental results validate the efficacy of the proposed abnormal data detection algorithm, highlighting its strong detection performance and its potential to provide an effective solution for safeguarding the security of in-vehicle network information.

    Analysis and Optimization of Transient Mode Switching Behavior for Power Split Hybrid Electric Vehicle with Clutch Collaboration

    Dehua Shi, Sheng Liu, Yujie Shen, Shaohua Wang, Chaochun Yuan & Long Chen
    2024, 7(1):  150-165.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00276-7
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    The power split hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) adopts a power coupling configuration featuring dual planetary gearsets and multiple clutches, enabling diverse operational modes through clutch engagement and disengagement. The multi-clutch configuration usually involves the collaboration of two clutches during the transient mode switching process, thereby substantially elevating control complexity. This study focuses on power split HEVs that integrate multi-clutch mechanisms and investigates how different clutch collaboration manners impact the characteristics of transient mode switching. The powertrain model for the power-split HEV is established utilizing matrix-based methodologies. Through the formulation of clutch torque curves and clutch collaboration models, this research systematically explores the effects of clutch engagement timing and the duration of clutch slipping state on transient mode switching behaviors. Building upon this analysis, an optimization problem for control parameters pertaining to the two collaborative clutches is formulated. The simulated annealing algorithm is employed to optimize these control parameters. Simulation results demonstrate that the clutch collaboration manners have a great influence on the transient mode switching performance. Compared with the pre-calibrated benchmark and the optimal solution derived by the genetic algorithm, the maximal longitudinal jerk and clutch slipping work during the transient mode switching process is reduced obviously with the optimal control parameters derived by the simulated annealing algorithm. The study provides valuable insights for the dynamic coordinated control of the power-split HEVs featuring complex clutch collaboration mechanisms

    Mode Switching and Consistency Control for Electric-Hydraulic Hybrid Steering System

    Zhongkai Luan, Wanzhong Zhao & Chunyan Wang
    2024, 7(1):  166-181.  doi:10.1007/s42154-022-00211-2
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    Electric-hydraulic hybrid power steering (E-HHPS) system, a novel device with multiple modes for commercial electric vehicles, is designed to realize both superior steering feel and high energy efficiency. However, inconsistent steering performance occurs in the mode-switching process due to different dynamic characteristics of electric and hydraulic components, which even threatens driving safety. In this paper, mode-switching strategy and dynamic compensation control method are proposed for the E-HHPS system to eliminate the inconsistency of steering feel, which comprehensively considers ideal assistance characteristics and energy consumption of the system. Then, the influence of disturbances on system stability is analyzed, and H∞ robust controller is employed to guarantee system robustness and stability. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can provide a steering system with natural steering feel without apparent inconsistency and effectively minimize energy consumption.

    Mechanically Joined Extrusion Profiles for Battery Trays

    Florian Kneuper, Stefan Neumann, André Schulze, Mortaza Otroshi, A. Erman Tekkaya & Gerson Meschut
    2024, 7(1):  182-193.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00267-8
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    In the context of electromobility, ensuring the leak tightness of assemblies is of paramount importance, particularly in battery housings. Current battery housings, often featuring base assemblies crafted from extruded aluminum profiles, address the challenge of leak tightness at joints through methods like friction stir welding, a process known for its time and cost intensiveness. The aim of this study is to develop and implement a new type of extruded profile concept to produce tight base assemblies for battery housings by a longitudinal mechanical single stroke joining process. The geometry, the process and the properties of the aluminum profiles are investigated to get a joint that meets the tightness requirements and achieve high load-bearing capacities in agreement with the high homologation requirements set to vehicles with high-voltage systems. The joint is formed by means of a single stage press stroke, which eliminates the need for complex tool designs that are necessary for continuous joining (roll joining). Flat steel contact surfaces are used as joining tools. To evaluate the joint quality, force curves from the joining process are analyzed and the resulting joint geometries are assessed using micrographs. The resulting leak tightness of the linear joints is measured by a helium sniffer leak detector and the load-bearing capacities are investigated by shear lap and bending tests and fatigue strength test. The study also explores whether a difference in strength between the two joining partners has a positive effect on the joint properties.

    Frequency and Reliability Analysis of Load-Bearing Composite Beams

    Junlei Wei, Lingyu Sun, Xinli Gao, Wenfeng Pan, Jiaxin Wang & Jinxi Wang
    2024, 7(1):  194-207.  doi:10.1007/s42154-023-00233-4
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    The increasing utilization of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (FRTPs) as a substitute for metal in load-bearing structures poses challenges related to NVH issues arising from frequency variations and reliability concerns stemming from fiber dispersion within the resin matrix. In this study, the steel automobile seat beam serves as a benchmark for comparison. FRTP beams are designed and fabricated using two distinct processes: compression molding and injection over-molding. Subsequently, their modal frequency and reliability are meticulously analyzed. Experimental investigations are conducted to explore the influence of various factors, including the combination of laminates and ribs, as well as the stacking sequence of laminates, on the modal frequency. The findings reveal that the modal frequency and vibration mode are subject to alterations based on the fiber type, beam material, and laminate stacking sequence. Notably, in comparison to the steel benchmark, the first-order frequency of the FRTP beam in this study experiences a 6.59% increase while simultaneously achieving a weight reduction of 32.42%. To assess reliability, a comprehensive analysis is performed, considering a six-fold standard deviation. This analysis yields the permissible range of fluctuation for material elastic constants, bending performance, and frequency response. Encouragingly, the FRTP beams meet the required reliability criteria. These results provide valuable insights for comprehending the stiffness-dependent response and effectively controlling structural performance when implementing FRTP for weight reduction purposes.