Patent ID: 8489281

Claim:
A method for operating an automobile having an environmental detection device, a steering angle actuating device which is configured to adjust a steering angle of the automobile independent of an operator, a steering wheel for manually adjusting a steering angle of the automobile by an operator, and a decoupling device for partially decoupling a rotation of the steering wheel from an adjustment of the steering angle of the automobile caused by the steering angle actuating device, the method comprising the steps of: a) detecting with the environmental detection device an object in an environment of the automobile; b) evaluating a collision risk of the automobile with the object; and c) depending on the evaluation of the collision risk, adjusting the steering angle of the automobile with the steering angle actuating device; and d) operating the decoupling device, to controllably reduce the rotation of the steering wheel in response to the adjustment of the steering angle in step c), while still enabling adjustment of the steering angle by the operator with the steering wheel.