Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Handoffs for Battery-Limited Long Trips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle systems are limited by the maximum distance they can travel on a single charge, making long-distance trips unfeasible due to high costs and inefficiencies, as drivers are disincentivized by the need for lengthy return journeys and lack of flexibility in destination choices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows users to choose between recharging or switching to a fully charged vehicle at a designated waypoint, utilizing a central computing system to coordinate autonomous vehicle fleets and optimize routes for long-distance trips, including the option for multiple vehicles and charging stations along the route.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If autonomous vehicles are used for long distance trips, then passenger mobility is improved, but vehicle battery charge becomes insufficient before reaching destination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a long-distance trip into multiple segments, each handled by a different autonomous vehicle. The first vehicle transports the passenger from origin to an intermediate waypoint, then a second vehicle continues from the waypoint to the final destination. This segmentation allows each vehicle to operate within its battery range while collectively covering long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central routing coordinator as an intermediary system that manages the handoff between vehicles. This coordinator receives trip requests, determines optimal waypoints, assigns vehicles to segments, and coordinates the transfer process, enabling seamless multi-vehicle long-distance trips without requiring direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
2Productivity
If autonomous vehicles perform lengthy return journeys to base, then fleet availability is improved, but driver time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having vehicles return to base or charge locations during off-peak times or when no passengers are requesting service. The routing coordinator proactively manages vehicle positioning and charging schedules to ensure vehicles are available for new trips without requiring drivers to make lengthy return journeys during operational hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing where vehicles can change their base locations and operational zones based on demand patterns. Instead of fixed return journeys to a single base, vehicles dynamically adjust their home locations to high-demand areas, reducing unnecessary travel time and improving availability for productive trips.
3Device complexity
If fixed base locations are used for autonomous vehicles, then fleet management is simplified, but flexibility in destination choices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the routing coordinator a universal system that handles multiple functions: trip request reception, vehicle assignment, waypoint determination, handoff coordination, and dynamic base location management. This multi-functional coordinator enables the fleet to serve diverse destinations while maintaining centralized management, eliminating the trade-off between simplified management and destination flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for long distance trips in an autonomous vehicle fleet. In particular, systems and methods are provided for autonomous vehicle trips that are a longer distance than a vehicle can travel without recharging. In some implementations, a user is provided an option between stopping to recharge the autonomous vehicle and switching from a first autonomous vehicle to a second autonomous vehicle at a selected stopping location.