Autonomous Vehicle Door Actuation via Smart Node Hazard Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack human intuition to assess potential collisions with cyclists or pedestrians when opening doors for passenger ingress/egress, leading to safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A ride-share system that includes a vehicle with onboard processors and smart nodes communicating to determine safe door operation, using sensors and light sources to assess and mitigate collision risks, and providing passenger notifications for manual door operation when hazards are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles use computer control to operate doors without human drivers, then automation level is improved, but safety against collision with cyclists or pedestrians deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces smart nodes as intermediary devices installed at curbsides that act as mediators between the autonomous vehicle's computer system and the external environment. These smart nodes detect cyclists and pedestrians using sensors and communicate hazard information to the vehicle's computer, enabling the automated door operation system to make safe decisions without human intuition. The smart node serves as an external sensory extension that compensates for the vehicle's limited perception capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where smart nodes continuously monitor the environment around the vehicle and provide real-time hazard information to the computer system. The computer system processes this feedback and adjusts door operation accordingly - delaying door opening when hazards are detected and permitting door opening when the area is clear. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the automated system to adapt to dynamic environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If drivers wait to open doors until collision hazards pass, then safety is improved, but passenger boarding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart nodes perform preliminary detection of cyclists and pedestrians in advance of when the vehicle would need to open its doors. By detecting hazards beforehand and communicating this information to the vehicle's computer system, the system can make informed decisions about door timing. This preliminary action allows the system to minimize waiting time while maintaining safety by only delaying door opening when actual hazards are present.
Data Source
AI summary
A ride-share system is disclosed. The system may comprise: one or more processors and memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors, the instructions comprising: while operating a vehicle in an autonomous mode, determine a transit stop; based on the determination, attempt to establish communication with a smart node; when communication is established with the smart node, query the smart node regarding whether to actuate a vehicle door to an open position; and when communication is not established with the smart node, determine whether to actuate the vehicle door to the open position.