Autonomous Vehicle Convoy Control for Remote Compliance Actions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack efficient methods for controlling autonomous vehicles to respond to communications from third-party entities and providing remote inspection information across diverse jurisdictions and environments, leading to operational inefficiencies and compliance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that enables autonomous vehicles to receive and execute instructions from remote computing systems, including vehicle actions such as stopping or providing inspection information, using a Vehicle API platform for secure communication and data processing, allowing for real-time analysis and compliance with various regulatory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If autonomous vehicles operate independently without centralized coordination, then vehicle autonomy and operational independence are improved, but compliance with third-party regulations and coordination across jurisdictions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle autonomyVSAvoidcompliance with third-party regulations
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A remote computing system acts as an intermediary between autonomous vehicles and third-party entities. The system receives instructions from third-party entities, processes them through coordination with other vehicles in the convoy, and transmits appropriate commands to the autonomous vehicles. This mediator architecture enables vehicles to maintain autonomy while complying with external regulations without direct vehicle-to-third-party communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote computing system provides multi-functional capabilities by handling multiple types of third-party instructions (law enforcement, toll collection, regulatory compliance), coordinating multiple vehicles in a convoy, and adapting to various jurisdictional requirements. This universal system serves as a centralized brain that manages diverse compliance scenarios across different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If autonomous vehicles in a convoy operate independently, then individual vehicle performance is improved, but coordinated response to third-party instructions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual vehicle performanceVSAvoidcoordinated response to instructions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the decision-making capabilities of multiple vehicles into a coordinated response mechanism. When a third-party instruction is received, the remote computing system coordinates with other vehicles in the convoy to determine appropriate actions, ensuring consistent and reliable coordinated responses while allowing individual vehicles to maintain their operational performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If real-time communication with third-party entities is implemented, then operational compliance is improved, but communication security and data processing complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational complianceVSAvoidcommunication and data processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication and data processing functions are extracted from the individual autonomous vehicles and centralized in a remote computing system. This extraction reduces the communication burden and data processing complexity on each vehicle while maintaining reliable real-time compliance through centralized handling of all third-party communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3989032B1Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 UATC LLC
  • EP3989032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3989032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3989032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle in response to vehicle instructions from a remote computing system are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes controlling a first autonomous vehicle to provide a vehicle service, the first autonomous vehicle being associated with a first convoy that includes one or more second autonomous vehicles. The method includes receiving one or more communications from a remote computing system associated with a third-party entity, the one or more communications including one or more vehicle instructions. The method includes coordinating with the one or more second autonomous vehicles to determine one or more vehicle actions to perform in response to receiving the one or more vehicle instructions from the third-party entity. The method includes controlling the first autonomous vehicle to implement the one or more vehicle actions.