Autonomous Freight Vehicle Scheduling With Checkpoint Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current goods transportation systems rely heavily on human drivers, leading to high costs and security risks due to driver fatigue, as they often travel long distances, necessitating a more efficient and safer method for transporting goods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomous vehicle transportation, which includes an operation system and vehicle controller that generate and execute transportation plans, allowing vehicles to autonomously navigate to checkpoints and loading/unloading positions, interact with controllers and loading/unloading apparatuses, thereby eliminating the need for human drivers and management personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human drivers are used for goods transportation, then the system can handle complex decision-making and adaptability, but transportation costs increase and security risks arise due to driver fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle controller enables the vehicle to autonomously perform transportation tasks including self-navigation to checkpoints, self-interaction with checkpoint controllers, and self-navigation to loading/unloading positions, eliminating the need for human drivers and their associated safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human driver's biological system with an automated vehicle controller that uses sensors, processors, and communication modules to perceive the environment, make decisions, and control vehicle operations, thereby improving reliability while maintaining high automation
2Productivity
If human drivers and management personnel are deployed for goods transportation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but transportation costs increase due to salaries and management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle controller autonomously manages the entire transportation process including route planning, checkpoint interaction, and coordination with loading/unloading apparatuses, eliminating the need for drivers, management personnel, and support staff thereby reducing transportation costs
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle controller integrates multiple functions including navigation, communication with infrastructure, vehicle control, and coordination with loading/unloading systems into a single automated unit, replacing multiple human roles with one multi-functional automated system
3Adaptability or versatility
If trucks travel long distances between highway ports, then goods transportation coverage is expanded, but driver fatigue increases leading to security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human driver's physiological limitations with an automated vehicle controller that can operate indefinitely without fatigue, maintaining high reliability while providing extensive transportation coverage between highway ports and other locations
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle controller autonomously manages long-distance transportation tasks including route planning, navigation, and interaction with checkpoint controllers at highway ports, enabling extended transportation coverage without the security risks associated with driver fatigue
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an operation system (11), method and associated apparatus for autonomous vehicle transportation. The system includes: a vehicle scheduling unit configured to generate a transportation plan for a vehicle, transmit the transportation plan to a vehicle controller (12) of the vehicle, and adjust the transportation plan for the vehicle based on a transportation plan execution progress for the vehicle; and a control unit configured to obtain the transportation plan execution progress for the vehicle executing the transportation plan and transmit the transportation plan execution progress to the vehicle scheduling unit.