Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Light Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems cannot recognize traffic lights, leading to a high probability of driver violations and potential traffic accidents when the driver is mentally stressed or inattentive.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive cruise control system and method that includes a wireless receiver to receive traffic light state information from transmitters and a camera to obtain additional information, with a main controller determining brake or adaptive cruise control strategies based on this data to ensure compliance with traffic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If millimeter-wave radar is used for adaptive cruise control, then vehicle following and collision avoidance capabilities are improved, but traffic light recognition capability deteriorates (cannot recognize traffic lights)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines millimeter-wave radar and camera systems into an integrated adaptive cruise control system. The radar provides collision avoidance data while the camera provides traffic light recognition, merging both functionalities into a unified ACC system that delivers both capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The ACC system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect front vehicles for collision avoidance using millimeter-wave radar, recognize traffic light states using camera imaging, and execute both adaptive cruise control and stop control strategies. This multi-functional design resolves the limitation of single-function radar-based systems.
2Reliability
If driver attention is reduced due to mental stress, then driving safety deteriorates (high probability of violations), but adding traffic light recognition technology improves safety
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to monitor and control its own driving behavior autonomously. The ACC controller automatically adjusts vehicle speed and stopping based on detected traffic light states and front vehicle conditions, making the system self-regulating without requiring constant driver intervention or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from millimeter-wave radar about front vehicle distance and speed, from cameras about traffic light states, and from the vehicle's own motion sensors. This real-time feedback loop enables the controller to dynamically adjust control strategies to maintain safety under varying driving conditions.
3Reliability
If stop control strategy is activated for red lights, then traffic violation prevention is improved, but driving efficiency may deteriorate (frequent stopping)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between stop control and adaptive cruise control strategies based on real-time traffic light state detection. When green lights are detected, the system maintains cruising efficiency; when red lights are detected, it transitions to stop control. This dynamic adaptation optimizes both compliance and efficiency based on actual traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters (speed, acceleration, stopping distance) based on detected traffic light states. For green lights, parameters favor continuous motion and efficiency; for red lights, parameters transition to controlled stopping and waiting, optimizing the balance between compliance and efficiency through parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive cruise control system and an adaptive cruise control method supporting traffic light recognition are provided. The adaptive cruise control system in the present disclosure includes: a wireless receiver adaptive with a wireless transmitter of each traffic light on a current lane and configured to receive first traffic light state information about the traffic light on the current lane sent by the wireless transmitter; and a main controller being in communication with the wireless receiver and configured to obtain the first traffic light state information received from the wireless receiver, and perform a stop control or adaptive cruise control based on the first traffic light state information. By implementing the adaptive cruise control method, an adaptive cruise control for avoiding a driver from violation of traffic light is further realized based on the state information of the traffic lights, so that a safety of driving can be improved.