Software interlock

A method of operating an interlock component to control a process carried out by a vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving using an input an interaction request for a first vehicle system component and system data, wherein the first vehicle system component is in operative communication with a first vehicle system and the interaction request comprises a control signal for controlling the first vehicle system;
• wherein the interaction request is received from a second vehicle system component and is directed towards the first vehicle system component;
• and
• wherein the first vehicle system component comprises a proxy component and a stub component interface, and the second vehicle system component sends interaction requests to the first system component via the proxy component of the first system component;
• assessing using a processor the interaction request and the system data relative to predefined vehicle logic rules;
• determining using the processor if the interaction request satisfies the vehicle logic rules;
• and
• transmitting to the first vehicle system component the interaction request in the event that the vehicle logic rules are satisfied, so as to control a process carried out by the first vehicle system.

A stub component for a vehicle control system, the stub component comprising

• an input for receiving an interaction request for the vehicle control system;
• a processor for determining if the interaction request falls into a predetermined category of interaction request;
• and
• an output for outputting the interaction request to the vehicle control system if it does not fall into the predetermined category,
• wherein the processor is arranged to reroute the interaction request to an interlock component in the event that it falls into the predetermined category and to forward the interaction request to the vehicle control system in the event that the interaction request is received back from the interlock component,
• wherein the receipt of the interaction request by the vehicle control system has the effect of controlling a process carried out by the vehicle.