BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to vehicle control systems and, more particularly, to semi-autonomous vehicle control systems.

The use of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles is rapidly expanding. A semi-autonomous vehicle generally is a vehicle that includes one or more autonomous or vehicle-controlled functions that are inactive or on “standby” until activated based upon conditions of the vehicle and without express driver input or request. A semi-autonomous vehicle may be distinguished from a fully autonomous vehicle in that a fully autonomous vehicle requires substantially no driver input, whereas a semi-autonomous vehicle is operated generally based upon driver input, with one or more vehicle-controlled functions.

Some drivers may experience difficulty in transitioning from a fully driver-controlled vehicle to a vehicle that incorporates autonomous functions—for example, to a semi-autonomous vehicle. In particular, elderly drivers who are not used to having their vehicle be self-controlled may be startled when certain semi-autonomous functions, such as automatic collision avoidance or lane-keep assist along linear travel paths, are activated in their vehicle. For example, some drivers may not understand what the vehicle is attempting to do or may think the vehicle is experiencing a malfunction. Drivers with such reactions may exhibit unpredictable behavior, such as making attempts to counteract the semi-autonomous functions, braking suddenly, or exhibiting other unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviors.

Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle that incorporates a notification function that alerts a driver to an occurrence of a semi-autonomous function being enacted by a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a vehicle control system for a semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system includes a controller communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned within the semi-autonomous vehicle and to a heads-up display (HUD) within the semi-autonomous vehicle. The controller includes a processor in communication with a memory device. The controller is configured to: receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors, determine, based on the sensor data, the semi-autonomous vehicle is turning, identify, based on the sensor data, a candidate turn path for the semi-autonomous vehicle, and identify, based on the sensor data, an actual turn path for the semi-autonomous vehicle. The controller is further configured to transmit, to one or more automation systems of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a control signal that instructs the one or more automation systems to perform a turn-assist function to reduce a determined deviation between the actual turn path and the candidate turn path; and to transmit, to the HUD, a control signal that instructs the HUD to display a notification to a driver of the semi-autonomous vehicle of the turn-assist function.

In another aspect, a semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors, a plurality of automation systems configured to control a corresponding plurality of components of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a heads-up display (HUD) configured to display information to a driver of the semi-autonomous vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors, the plurality of automation systems, and the HUD. The controller includes a processor in communication with a memory device. The controller is configured to: receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors, determine, based on the sensor data, the semi-autonomous vehicle is turning, identify, based on the sensor data, a candidate turn path for the semi-autonomous vehicle, and identify, based on the sensor data, an actual turn path for the semi-autonomous vehicle. The controller is further configured to transmit, to a first of the plurality of the automation systems, a control signal that instructs the first automation system to perform a turn-assist function to reduce a deviation between the actual turn path and the candidate turn path, and to transmit, to the HUD, a control signal that instructs the HUD to display a notification to the driver of the semi-autonomous vehicle of the turn-assist function.

In a further aspect, a method of controlling a semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The method is implemented using a vehicle control system including a processor communicatively coupled to a memory device. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of sensors of the semi-autonomous vehicle, sensor data, determining, based on the sensor data, the semi-autonomous vehicle is turning, identifying, based on the sensor data, a candidate turn path for the semi-autonomous vehicle, and identifying, based on the sensor data, an actual turn path for said semi-autonomous vehicle. The method also includes calculating a deviation between the actual turn path and the candidate turn path, transmitting, to an automation system of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a control signal that instructs the automation system to perform a turn-assist function to reduce the deviation between the actual turn path and the candidate turn path, and transmitting, to a heads up display (HUD) of the semi-autonomous vehicle, a control signal that instructs the HUD to display a notification to a driver of said semi-autonomous vehicle of the turn-assist function.

