Autonomous Controller Programmable Interface for Vehicle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle systems face challenges in urban environments due to limitations in obstacle identification, navigation, and control, particularly with GPS data unavailability, presence of static and moving obstacles, and the need to obey traffic laws, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A navigation and control system that includes position sensors, operation control mechanisms, and a self-contained autonomous controller with a programmable interface, capable of normalizing inputs from various sensors and control mechanisms to generate operation control signals for an updated travel path, utilizing laser scanner systems and optical imaging for obstacle detection and path planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a self-contained autonomous controller with programmable interface is used to normalize inputs from various sensors and control mechanisms, then the adaptability and versatility of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous controller incorporates a programmable interface that can normalize inputs from multiple different sensor types and control mechanisms, allowing a single controller design to work with various sensor configurations and vehicle control systems, thereby achieving universality without requiring multiple specialized controllers
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable interface acts as an intermediary layer between diverse sensors/control mechanisms and the autonomous controller processor, translating and normalizing different input formats into a unified processing format, which simplifies the overall system architecture despite the diversity of connected components
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and control mechanisms are integrated for robust obstacle avoidance, then the reliability of navigation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple sensors (laser scanners, optical imaging sensors, position sensors) and control mechanisms into a single coordinated navigation and control system, where all components work together through the autonomous controller to achieve reliable obstacle avoidance and path following in urban environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor inputs regarding vehicle position, obstacles, and path deviation, and the autonomous controller dynamically adjusts control signals to maintain accurate path following, providing real-time feedback control that enhances navigation reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If the system maintains high precision path following with standard deviation under 25 cm, then the manufacturing precision of navigation is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies control adjustments only when path deviation exceeds acceptable thresholds, rather than continuously maximizing control activity, thereby maintaining the required 25 cm path following precision while reducing unnecessary energy consumption from constant full-intensity control operations
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
The system effectively maintains a standard deviation of under 25 cm from a planned path in urban environments, even during advanced maneuvers, and ensures safe navigation through complex conditions by integrating multiple sensors and control mechanisms for robust obstacle avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
The processor is configured to determine the existence and location of the objects in the three dimensional field of view based on a position of the vehicle and a time between an emittance of the beam and a reception of the reflection of the emitted beam from one of the objects
Implementation Method 2
one or more laser scanner systems configured to emit laser beams
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to detect a reflection of the emitted beam from one of the objects
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A navigation and control system including position sensors configured to generate position signals indicative of the location and heading of a vehicle. The system includes one or more operation control mechanisms having inputs and producing outputs which control operation of the vehicle and includes a self-contained autonomous controller remote from the operation control mechanisms. The autonomous controller includes a processor configured to receive position signals from the position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining updated travel path for the vehicle, and programmable interface providing communication among position sensors, operation control mechanisms, and processor. The programmable interface is configured to normalize inputs to the processor from the position sensors and to generate compatible operation control signals applied as the inputs to the operation control mechanisms, whereby the self-contained autonomous controller is configurable for operation with a variety of different sensors and different operation control mechanisms.