User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system

A method for controlling a plurality of control apparatuses of a vehicle including a braking apparatus, an acceleration apparatus, and a steering apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving location information from a geographic position component for determining a current geographic location of the vehicle;
• receiving input from a force input apparatus identifying an approximate location and degree of a force;
• determining, from the location information received from the geographic position component and detailed map information, the current geographic location of the vehicle, the detailed map information including roadway, traffic signal and intersection information;
• determining, based on the current geographic location of the vehicle, whether a processor is operable to control the plurality of control apparatuses safely;
• determining, based on input received from the force input apparatus, whether the processor has permission to control the plurality of control apparatuses;
• and
• controlling the control apparatuses if the processor has permission to control the control apparatuses.

A computer comprising:

• memory for storing map information;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• receive location information from a geographic position component which determines a current geographic location of the vehicle;
• receive input from a force input apparatus which identifies an approximate location and degree of a force;
• determine, from the location information received from the geographic position component and the stored map information, the current geographic location of the vehicle;
• determine, based on the current geographic location of the vehicle, whether the processor is operable to control a plurality of control apparatuses safely;
• and
• determine, based on input received from the force input apparatus, whether the processor has permission to control the plurality of control apparatuses.