Detecting a hands free driving situation of a motor vehicle

摘要

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter ensure that a hands-free driving situation of a motor vehicle can be detected. In the case of such detection of a hands-free driving situation, requirements of a driving assistance system are preferably reset with respect to steering corrections made by the driving assistance systems. In this manner, virtually independent steering of the vehicle such as, for example, and autopilot type of driving assistance functionality is therefore advantageously avoided.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
In conjunction with a real steering system of a motor vehicle being acted on by a driving assistance system, a theoretical steering system model of the motor vehicle generating an estimated steering system signal as a function of a first actual steering system signal representing an input action provided to the real steering system by a power steering actuating unit; providing the first actual steering system signal as a position signal of the power steering actuating unit to the theoretical steering system model; acquiring a second actual steering system signal from the real steering system: providing the second actual steering system signal as a position signal of the power steering actuating unit to a comparison unit; providing the estimated steering system signal to the comparison unit; wherein the theoretical steering system model is in simultaneous operation with respect to the real steering system; comparing the estimated steering system signal with the second actual steering system signal representing an input action provided to the real steering system through a steering element of the real steering system for determining the at least one defined difference, wherein the real steering system is manually controllable through the steering element; generating a signal indicating a hands-free driving state in response to the comparing determining that the at least one defined difference exists between the estimated steering system signal and the second actual steering system signal; providing the hands-free driving state indicating signal to the driving assistance system; and changing a state of the driving assistance system from active to inactive in response to the hands-free driving state indicating signal.