Adaptive Obstacle Detection Modes for Automated Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicles in confined areas require multiple sensors for comprehensive obstacle detection, leading to inefficiencies and potential deadlocks due to high obstacle detection accuracy needs, especially during missions with limited sensor fields or unknown ground surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A control system that selects from predefined obstacle detection modes with varying accuracy levels based on specific driving missions and areas of operation, allowing for reduced sensor usage and preventing deadlocks by disabling obstacle detection in uncovered areas or lowering accuracy when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to cover all areas around the vehicle, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the obstacle detection system adaptive through multiple predefined modes (safe mode, standard mode, aggressive mode) that dynamically adjust detection accuracy based on operational context. The control system switches between modes depending on the driving mission and area of operation, allowing the sensor system to be highly accurate when needed and less restrictive when operational requirements demand faster or more aggressive maneuvers that would be blocked by overly sensitive detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by defining different obstacle detection modes with varying accuracy thresholds and reaction criteria. Each mode adjusts parameters such as detection sensitivity, stopping distance, and obstacle type classification. This allows the same sensor hardware to operate at different effectiveness levels depending on the operational context, reducing the need for additional sensors while maintaining appropriate safety margins.
2Reliability
If high obstacle detection accuracy is maintained for all driving missions, then safety is improved, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to deadlocks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts safety parameters based on the operational context by implementing multiple detection modes. In safe mode, high detection accuracy is maintained for maximum safety. In standard mode, balanced detection is applied for normal operations. In aggressive mode, reduced detection sensitivity allows operations that would otherwise be blocked, such as driving over unknown ground surfaces or in areas with limited sensor coverage, thereby improving productivity without completely sacrificing safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operational space into different areas (known areas, unknown areas, confined areas, open areas) and applies different detection accuracy levels to each segment. This segmentation allows high safety standards in known, controlled environments while permitting more flexible, productive operations in unknown or challenging terrains where perfect detection accuracy is not feasible or necessary.
3Measurement precision
If obstacle detection is enabled in all areas, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and potential for false detections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different obstacle detection modes for different areas and operational contexts. Rather than uniformly applying high detection precision everywhere, the system applies appropriate detection stringency locally - high precision in known, safe areas and reduced precision in unknown or challenging areas where perfect detection is not feasible. This local differentiation reduces false detections and simplifies control while maintaining safety where critical.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a control system for manoeuvring an automated vehicle, wherein the control system comprises one or more obstacle detection sensors which are configured to detect if an intended travelling path of the automated vehicle is free from obstacles or not during manoeuvring of the automated vehicle, and wherein the control system is further configured to utilize a plurality of predefined obstacle detection modes during manoeuvring of the automated vehicle, wherein the plurality of predefined obstacle detection modes have different levels of obstacle detection accuracy, wherein, the control system is further configured to select a specific obstacle detection mode from the plurality of predefined obstacle detection modes based on a specific driving mission and/or based on a specific area of operation for the automated vehicle so that the specific obstacle detection mode is used during the specific driving mission and/or in the specific area of operation.