Systems and methods for hazard mitigation

Abstract

A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 a surrounding information detector for detecting at least one of a position and a speed of an object around the vehicle, the object around the vehicle comprising a first vehicle ahead of the vehicle and a second vehicle behind the vehicle;   a vehicle information sensor for detecting at least one of a speed and an acceleration of the vehicle;   a controller configured to determine a probability of a forward collision with the first vehicle and a probability of a rear-end collision with the second vehicle based on outputted information of the surrounding information detector and the vehicle information sensor, determine a target forward collision speed and a target rear-end collision speed to minimize a sum of injuries to an occupant of the vehicle by the forward collision and injuries to the occupant by the rear-end collision, based on a calculated overall harm value, upon determination that there are the probabilities of the forward collision and the rear-end collision, and control breaking of the vehicle based on the target forward collision speed and the target rear-end collision speed.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines a collision mode based on positions and moving directions of the vehicle and the first vehicle upon determination that there is a probability of a forward collision. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the collision mode comprises at least one of a same direction collision mode in which the vehicle collides with the first vehicle travelling in the same direction at the rear of the first vehicle, a head-on collision mode in which the vehicle collides with a first vehicle travelling toward the vehicle, and a side collision mode in which the vehicle collides with the first vehicle at an intersection. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the controller acquires harm information by the forward collision and the rear end collision based on point of contact . 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein the acquired harm information by the forward collision and the rear end collision comprises harm information calculated for the forward collision and the rear end collision with respect to point of contact, and further comprising updating the controlling the braking during and after the forward collision and the rear end collision . 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to implement a harm minimization strategy including a sequence of accelerations and/or decelerations and/or steering actions calculated to reduce or minimize harm of an imminent collision. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein the controller calculates physical distortions of vehicles due to forces of the collision. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the controller calculates frame compression or penetration into a passenger compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the controller calculates a peak acceleration of the vehicle and uses the peak acceleration in the updating the controlling of the braking. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the controller calculates indirect mitigation steps or a post collision strategy. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the controller acquires harm information by the forward collision and harm information by the rear-end collision based on a safety device provided in the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:
 detecting at least one of a position and a speed of an object around the vehicle comprising a first vehicle ahead and a second vehicle behind;   detecting at least one of a speed and an acceleration of the vehicle; determining a probability of a forward collision with the first vehicle ahead and a   probability of a rear-end collision with the second vehicle behind based on the at least one of the position and the speed of the first and second vehicles and the at least one of the speed and the acceleration of the vehicle;   determining a target forward collision speed and a target rear-end collision speed to minimize a calculated harm value of occupants of the vehicle by the forward collision and injuries to the occupants by the rear-end collision upon determination that there are the probabilities of the forward collision and the rear-end collision; and   performing a braking control of the vehicle based on the target forward collision speed and the target rear-end collision speed.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of the probabilities of the forward collision and the rear-end collision further comprises determining a collision mode based on positions and moving directions of the vehicle and the first vehicle ahead upon determination that there is a probability of a forward collision. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the collision mode comprises at least one of a same direction collision mode in which the vehicle collides with the first vehicle travelling in the same direction at the rear of the vehicle ahead, a head-on collision mode in which the vehicle collides with the first vehicle travelling toward the vehicle, and a side collision mode in which the vehicle collides with the first vehicle at an intersection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining of the target forward collision speed and the target rear-end collision speed comprises acquiring harm information by the forward collision and the rear end collision based on point of contact. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the acquired harm information by the forward collision and the rear end collision comprises harm information calculated for the forward collision with respect to point of contact, and further comprising updating the performing a braking control during and after the forward collision and the rear end collision. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the performing a braking control is configured to implement a harm minimization strategy including a sequence of accelerations and/or decelerations and/or steering actions calculated to reduce or minimize harm of an imminent collision. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the determining of the target forward collision speed and the target rear-end collision speed further comprises calculating physical distortions of vehicles due to forces of the collision. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the determining of the target forward collision speed and the target rear-end collision speed further comprises calculating frame compression or penetration into a passenger compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the determining of the target forward collision speed in the target rear end collision speed further comprises calculating a peak acceleration of the vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising calculating indirect mitigation steps or a post collision strategy.