Adaptive Vehicle Deceleration Planning for Relative Stopping Distance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle planning systems struggle to dynamically adjust maximum deceleration values based on environmental factors and object interactions, leading to potential adverse events such as collisions or rear-endings.

Innovation Solution

A computing device determines a first maximum deceleration value and adjusts it to a second, higher value if the stopping distance or time is less than a threshold, considering object velocities, road conditions, and other factors to preemptively prepare for high-risk situations, allowing for safer and more controlled braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the maximum deceleration value is increased to reduce stopping distance, then the vehicle can avoid collisions more effectively, but the risk of rear-end collisions from vehicles behind increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidrear-end collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the maximum deceleration value based on real-time environmental conditions and object positions. The planning component continuously monitors the environment and modifies the deceleration parameter according to the calculated stopping distance and surrounding traffic conditions, making the braking behavior adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the deceleration parameter based on calculated stopping distances and environmental factors. When the stopping distance is sufficient, the system allows higher deceleration values; when stopping distance is limited, it reduces the deceleration value to prevent rear-end collisions, thus optimizing both collision avoidance and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the maximum deceleration value is decreased to ensure sufficient stopping distance for following vehicles, then rear-end collision risk is reduced, but the ability to avoid collisions with objects ahead is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverear-end collision riskVSAvoidcollision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the maximum deceleration value based on real-time environmental conditions and object positions. The planning component continuously monitors the environment and modifies the deceleration parameter according to the calculated stopping distance and surrounding traffic conditions, making the braking behavior adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the deceleration parameter based on calculated stopping distances and environmental factors. When the stopping distance is sufficient, the system allows higher deceleration values; when stopping distance is limited, it reduces the deceleration value to prevent rear-end collisions, thus optimizing both collision avoidance and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed maximum deceleration value is used, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions and object positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the environment sensor and object position data to continuously adjust the maximum deceleration value. The planning component receives information about surrounding objects and environmental conditions, calculates the appropriate stopping distance, and feeds this information back to adjust the deceleration parameter accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of stopping distance based on current environmental conditions and object positions before executing braking maneuvers. This allows the system to proactively adjust the maximum deceleration value in advance, preparing for potential collision scenarios before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12466409B2Vehicle deceleration planning

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 ZOOX INC

AI summary

Techniques for vehicle deceleration planning are discussed. The techniques include determining a first location and a first velocity of a vehicle. The techniques further include determining a second location and a second velocity of an object. Based on the first location, the second location, the first velocity, and the second velocity, a relative stopping distance between the vehicle and the object can be determined. If the relative stopping distance is less than a threshold distance, the first maximum deceleration value can be increased to a second maximum deceleration value, and the techniques determine a trajectory for the vehicle based at least in part on the second maximum deceleration value.