Onboard Accident Reconstruction System Using Sensor Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The process of reporting and processing vehicle accidents is often inaccurate and time-consuming due to human forgetfulness or mental/physical states of drivers, leading to delays and additional costs for both insurance providers and drivers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing vehicle sensors, including cameras, to detect accidents and generate animated videos or 3D models of the incident, which can be used to assess damage and modify vehicle control systems to mitigate further damage, while providing accurate information for insurance claims.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a driver manually reports accident details to an insurance carrier, then the insurance process can be initiated, but the reporting process is time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies due to human forgetfulness or mental/physical state
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring vehicle sensors (cameras, accelerometers, microphones) before an accident occurs, so that when an accident happens, the data is already captured and ready for immediate processing. This eliminates the time delay of manual reporting and ensures accurate data collection regardless of the driver's state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the accident scene through sensor data (videos, images, audio recordings, sensor readings) that accurately reproduces the accident events. This copy replaces the need for human memory and manual description, providing precise and objective accident documentation.
2Reliability
If a driver provides accident details manually, then the insurance carrier can process the claim, but the driver may forget or misremember details leading to inaccurate understanding of the accident
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the accident scene through sensor data (videos, images, audio recordings, sensor readings) that accurately reproduces the accident events. This copy replaces the need for human memory and manual description, providing precise and objective accident documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the driver by presenting the captured sensor data (videos, images, audio) back to them for verification. This allows the driver to confirm the accuracy of the recorded information, ensuring that the accident details are reliably captured before submission to the insurance carrier.
3Measurement precision
If multiple inspections and manual assessments are conducted to verify accident details, then accurate damage assessment can be achieved, but additional costs and delays are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the accident scene and vehicle damage through sensor data (images, videos, 3D models) that can be remotely analyzed. This eliminates the need for multiple physical inspections while maintaining accurate damage assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of multiple physical inspections with automated sensor-based data collection and digital analysis. The sensor data (images, videos, 3D models) can be processed remotely and efficiently, substituting the need for repeated physical examinations of the vehicle.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensor monitoring and animation generation systems are implemented, then accurate accident reconstruction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal multi-functional sensors (cameras, accelerometers, microphones, GPS) that serve multiple purposes: monitoring vehicle operation, detecting accidents, capturing accident scenes, and tracking vehicle location. This reduces the need for specialized dedicated sensors and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer (the onboard computer and animation generation software) that consolidates data from multiple sensors and transforms it into a coherent accident reconstruction. This intermediary manages the complexity by providing a unified interface between diverse sensors and the final output.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reconstructing information about vehicular accidents is disclosed. The system comprises an onboard computing system in a vehicle with an accident reconstruction system. Using sensed information from vehicle sensors and an animation engine, the system can generate animated videos depicting the accident. The system can also take action in response to information it learns from the animated video and/or an underlying 3D model of the accident used to generate the video.