Method for checking a surroundings detection sensor of a vehicle and method for operating a vehicle

A method for checking at least one surroundings detection sensor of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• localizing the vehicle on a digital map;
• identifying features of stored stationary objects of surroundings of the vehicle in the digital map, wherein the stored stationary objects are objects expected to be recognized by the at least one surroundings detection sensor in the surroundings of the vehicle;
• detecting the surroundings of the vehicle by the at least one surroundings detection sensor;
• and
• determining there is a degradation of the at least one surrounding detection sensor responsive to the identified features of the stored stationary objections not being recognized by the surroundings detection sensor or responsive to features actually detected by the at least one surroundings detection sensor deviating more than a threshold amount from the identified features,
• wherein the digital map with the stored features of the stationary objects is retrieved for a predetermined projection horizon from a central storage unit external to the vehicle.

A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising:

• operating the vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation;
• checking at least one surroundings detection sensor of the vehicle by localizing the vehicle on a digital map;
• identifying features of stored stationary objects of surroundings of the vehicle in the digital map, wherein the stored stationary objects are objects expected to be recognized by the at least one surroundings detection sensor in the surroundings of the vehicle;
• detecting the surroundings of the vehicle by the at least one surroundings detection sensor;
• and
• determining there is a degradation of the at least one surrounding detection sensor responsive to the identified features of the stored stationary objections not being recognized by the surroundings detection sensor or responsive to features actually detected by the at least one surroundings detection sensor deviating more than a threshold amount from the identified features,
• wherein the digital map with the stored features of the stationary objects is retrieved for a predetermined projection horizon from a central storage unit external to the vehicle,
• reducing a degree of automation of the highly automated or autonomous driving operation or transferring a driving task to a driver of the vehicle responsive to the determination that there is a degradation of the at least one surround detection sensor.