Autonomous Driving Simulation Data Generation via Sensor Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collecting complete and accurate data for simulating the performance of autonomous vehicles in diverse real-world scenarios is challenging due to the high cost and limitations of using sophisticated sensors, and data collected by vehicles with low-sensitivity sensors is often incomplete and inaccurate, leading to unreliable simulation tests.

Innovation Solution

A computing system generates simulation test data by processing parameter distributions from low-sensitivity sensor data, adjusting parameters to cover more scenarios, and creating smooth trajectories that respect position, velocity, and collision constraints, thereby enhancing the accuracy and coverage of simulation tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sophisticated sensors are used to collect accurate driving data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor accuracyVSAvoidsensor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of real-world driving scenarios through simulation environments. Instead of using sophisticated sensors in physical vehicles, the system generates synthetic sensor data that replicates realistic driving conditions, thereby achieving accurate measurement data without the complexity of high-end physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs low-cost sensors in physical vehicles to collect raw driving data, which is then used to train simulation models. The expensive sophisticated sensors are replaced by inexpensive simulation-generated data that can be produced in large quantities without physical hardware constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If low-sensitivity sensors are used to reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor complexityVSAvoidsensor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a simulation environment as an intermediary between low-sensitivity physical sensors and the required high-precision measurement data. The simulation system processes and enhances the crude sensor data, generating realistic driving scenarios with accurate measurements without requiring sophisticated physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the parameter quality from low-precision physical sensor readings to high-precision simulation-generated data by changing the data source and processing methodology. The simulation adjusts parameters such as position, velocity, and environmental conditions to achieve measurement precision unattainable with low-sensitivity sensors alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If more diverse driving scenarios are simulated, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases due to data incompleteness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescenario coverageVSAvoiddata completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary data collection and analysis from real-world low-sensitivity sensor data to understand actual driving scenario distributions. This preliminary action informs the simulation model to generate diverse scenarios that accurately reflect real-world conditions, preventing information loss by ensuring relevant scenarios are covered.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback loops where simulation results are continuously refined based on comparisons with real-world data patterns. The system uses feedback from actual driving scenarios to adjust and improve the diversity and accuracy of simulated scenarios, thereby maintaining data completeness while expanding scenario coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If simulation data is generated from incomplete sensor data, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata generation efficiencyVSAvoidsimulation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms incomplete sensor data into reliable simulation data by changing the parameters of the data generation process. The simulation system adjusts parameters such as noise levels, sensor characteristics, and environmental conditions to compensate for the incompleteness of source data, generating reliable synthetic data that maintains statistical properties of real-world scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates accurate virtual copies of complete driving scenarios from incomplete sensor data by inferring missing information through simulation models. The system generates comprehensive scenario data including elements not captured by low-sensitivity sensors, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity through efficient virtual data generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12014126B2Generating accurate and diverse simulations for evaluation of autonomous-driving systems
Publication Date: 2024.06.18 WOVEN BY TOYOTA U S INC
  • US12014126B2 patent drawing
  • US12014126B2 patent drawing
  • US12014126B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving parameter data associated with trajectories captured using at least one sensor associated with one or more vehicles, determining a parameter distribution associated with movement parameters for the parameter data based on the trajectories, adjusting the parameter distribution for the parameter data associated with the movement parameters up to a respective threshold constraint, wherein the respective threshold constraint is based on at least one of the parameter data, generating driving simulations that are based on the adjusted parameter distribution for the parameter data, and evaluating an autonomous-driving system using the driving simulations.