Autonomous Vehicle Control Using Pre-characterized Sensor and Maneuverability Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for controlling partially or fully autonomously operated motor vehicles fail to adapt movement information to individual properties of the vehicle and sensor devices, leading to suboptimal trajectory following and potential collisions due to unaccounted obstacles or limited detection capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The method incorporates information on the maneuverability and detection capability of the motor vehicle and sensor devices, including safety distances and sensor technology, to determine and transmit movement information that ensures collision-free navigation, considering the vehicle's performance and sensor latency times, thereby adapting the trajectory to the specific vehicle and environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods determine movement information without considering individual vehicle properties and sensor capabilities, then the control system is simple and generic, but the movement information quality is poor and collisions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of vehicle maneuverability properties (steering angle limits, braking distance, acceleration capabilities) and sensor detection capabilities (detection ranges, latency times, spatial arrangements) before autonomous operation. This pre-characterization data is stored and retrieved during movement information determination, enabling tailored control without real-time complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines movement information as a function of specific vehicle parameters including maneuverability characteristics (steering device performance, braking device performance, drive device performance) and sensor device parameters (detection capability, latency times, spatial arrangement). By adapting movement information to these specific parameters, the system achieves reliable collision avoidance while maintaining manageable complexity through parameter-based customization rather than structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If movement information is determined without accounting for sensor detection capability and latency times, then the control process is faster and simpler, but objects may not be detected in time leading to collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimely obstacle detectionVSAvoidsensor evaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system preliminarily determines and stores characteristic values for sensor detection capabilities, including detection ranges, latency times, and spatial arrangements of sensors. During autonomous operation, these pre-characterized parameters are directly used to calculate safe movement information, eliminating the need for real-time sensor capability analysis and reducing computational time while ensuring timely obstacle detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensor latency times and detection capabilities into the movement information calculation in advance, creating built-in safety margins and cushioning time buffers. This ensures that even with sensor evaluation delays, the vehicle maintains safe distances and can respond to obstacles before collisions occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3365739B1Method for driving a motor vehicle at least partially autonomously and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 AUDI AG
  • EP3365739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3365739B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for driving a motor vehicle (1) at least partially autonomously. Said motor vehicle (1) and/or the surroundings thereof are detected by at least one sensor device (2, 18, 19) and the movement information controlling the movement of the motor vehicle (1) are determined by a calculation device (7) which is on the outside of the motor vehicle and transmits to the motor vehicle (1). The movement information is determined in accordance with at least one item of information relating to the manouevering capacity of the motor vehicle (1) and/or the detection capability of the sensor device (2, 18, 19).