Adaptive High-Beam Control for Early Pedestrian Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles struggle to recognize pedestrians on dark roads due to insufficient illumination by low beams, leading to delayed activation of forward collision-avoidance assist functions, increasing collision risk.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a front radar and camera system to detect pedestrians early, switching from a low beam to a high beam for complete illumination, enabling timely recognition and activation of warning and braking controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low beam is used to illuminate the road at night, then the regulation requirement for headlight angle is satisfied, but the pedestrian recognition distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight system dynamically switches between low beam and high beam modes based on real-time detection conditions. When a pedestrian is detected by the radar sensor, the system activates high beam illumination to enhance visibility and enable timely camera recognition, resolving the contradiction between regulation compliance and recognition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameters by switching from low beam to high beam mode. This parameter change increases the illumination intensity and range temporarily to improve pedestrian detection and recognition, while returning to low beam mode after the maneuver to satisfy regulation requirements.
2Measurement precision
If a high beam is used to illuminate the whole body of the pedestrian, then the pedestrian recognition accuracy is improved, but the headlight angle regulation is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor performs preliminary detection of pedestrians at a distance before the vehicle reaches them. This early detection triggers the high beam activation in advance, allowing the camera to capture the pedestrian while the vehicle is still at a safe distance, thus avoiding regulation violations while achieving accurate recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor acts as an intermediary that detects pedestrians before the camera can see them with low beam illumination. This intermediary detection system enables the system to switch to high beam mode at the appropriate moment, bridging the gap between early pedestrian detection and visual recognition.
3Reliability
If the vehicle approaches the pedestrian with low beam, then the headlight regulation is maintained, but the FCA function activation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pedestrian detection using the radar sensor before the pedestrian becomes visible to the camera. This early detection allows the system to prepare and activate the FCA function at the appropriate time, preventing delayed response while maintaining low beam operation during the approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the radar sensor to continuously monitor pedestrian presence and distance. This feedback mechanism enables timely switching to high beam mode and appropriate FCA activation, ensuring optimal response time while coordinating multiple sensors and control functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances pedestrian recognition accuracy and allows for timely operation of forward collision-avoidance assist functions, improving driving stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, using a first sensor, an object located in front of the autonomous vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a front camera mounted on the vehicle is not able to recognize the pedestrian before the pedestrian is exposed to light
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an autonomous vehicle includes sensing, using a first sensor, an object located in front of the autonomous vehicle as the autonomous vehicle is driving on a driving path using a low beam of a headlight mounted on the autonomous vehicle. The method also includes, when a portion of the object is exposed by the low beam and is additionally sensed by a second sensor, switching, by a processor, the low beam to a high beam.