Autonomous Engine Module Segmentation for Passenger Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles often operate inefficiently when not carrying passengers or cargo, wasting fuel and lacking the necessary engine and transmission capabilities for varying transportation needs, such as towing or long trips.
Innovation Solution
A computing system for an autonomous engine module that determines suitable engine module candidates based on user requests and selects an appropriate engine module to dock with a passenger module, optimizing propulsion for specific tasks and reducing vehicle ownership costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an autonomous vehicle operates without passengers or cargo, then the vehicle can be positioned at locations, but fuel is wasted and the vehicle lacks necessary engine capabilities for varying transportation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system is divided into separate functional modules: a passenger module and a propulsion module. The propulsion module can be detached and replaced based on transportation needs, allowing the system to adapt without moving entire underutilized vehicles. This segmentation enables energy efficiency by deploying only the necessary propulsion capacity for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures by attaching different propulsion modules to the passenger module based on real-time transportation requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to optimize fuel consumption by selecting appropriate engine capabilities for specific tasks rather than operating with fixed, oversized capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional passenger vehicle uses an engine and transmission engineered for heavy loads, then the vehicle can tow trailers or carry heavy cargo, but the vehicle is not optimal for long trips with light or moderate loads
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion module is separated from the passenger module, allowing independent selection of engine capabilities matched to specific tasks. Users can attach high-power propulsion modules for towing or heavy cargo, and fuel-efficient propulsion modules for long trips with light loads, optimizing energy use for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The passenger module serves as a universal platform that can work with multiple types of propulsion modules. This multi-functionality allows a single passenger module to adapt to various transportation needs by pairing with different propulsion modules, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated vehicles.
3Productivity
If an autonomous vehicle is designed with fixed engine and transmission capabilities, then the vehicle structure is simplified, but the vehicle cannot optimize performance for different transportation tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system is segmented into standardized modules with defined interfaces. This segmentation manages complexity by creating independent, well-defined components that can be combined in different configurations, improving transportation efficiency without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and attaches appropriate propulsion modules based on transportation tasks. This dynamic reconfiguration improves productivity by optimizing performance for each task while managing complexity through automated module selection and attachment processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system for an autonomous engine module stores a self-driving capability and is configured to determine, by communication between an autonomous engine module in which the computing system resides and other autonomous engine modules, and responsive to a user request for use of an autonomous engine module, at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also generate a notification directed to the user including information relating to the at least one suitable autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also receive a selection by the user of an autonomous engine module use candidate. The computing system may also, using the self-driving capability, autonomously drive the autonomous engine module to a designated pickup location responsive to selection by the user of the autonomous engine module as the autonomous engine module use candidate.