Autonomous Vehicle Marker Deployment for Emergency Stop Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, there is a need for a system to deploy emergency markers when an emergency stop is made, as there is no human driver to manually place the markers.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle equipped with a marker deployment system, including a support frame, a marker deployment device (such as a drone or mechanical arm), and an autonomy system to determine the need for and locate emergency markers based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a human driver manually places emergency markers, then the markers can be correctly positioned, but this requires human intervention which is unavailable in autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs the marker deployment task itself without external human assistance. The system uses its own sensors to detect the emergency stop condition, calculates the required marker positions, and executes the deployment through the marker deployment device, making the entire process self-service and eliminating the need for human driver intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of a human driver placing markers with an automated marker deployment device. This device can be a mechanical arm, drone, or other automated mechanism that is controlled by the vehicle's computer system, substituting the mechanical skill and judgment of a human driver with an automated control system.
2Productivity
If emergency markers are manually placed by exiting the vehicle, then proper placement is achieved, but this process is time-consuming and delays safety measures
Solution Approach 1:
The marker deployment device is pre-positioned on or near the vehicle, and the system is pre-programmed with the knowledge of where markers should be placed relative to the vehicle's position and orientation. When an emergency stop is detected, the system immediately executes the pre-planned deployment sequence, eliminating the time required for a driver to exit the vehicle, assess the situation, and manually place markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated marker deployment device replaces the slow manual process of exiting the vehicle and placing markers. Whether using a mechanical arm that extends from the vehicle or a drone that launches and returns, the automated system can deploy multiple markers in rapid succession, dramatically increasing deployment speed and reducing the time loss associated with emergency marker placement.
3Reliability
If the vehicle stops in the lane, then emergency stop is executed, but proper marker placement becomes more difficult without a human driver to assess the situation
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomy system continuously receives feedback from sensors about the vehicle's position, orientation, and the surrounding environment. After an emergency stop, the system uses this real-time feedback to calculate the precise locations where markers should be placed, taking into account the vehicle's final position and any relevant road conditions detected by the sensors. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate marker placement even when the vehicle stops in the lane.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex autonomy system replaces the human driver's situational assessment and judgment. The system integrates data from multiple sensors, processes the information through algorithms, and determines the optimal marker placement locations without human intervention. This substitution of human cognitive and mechanical functions with an automated system maintains placement accuracy while enabling operation in scenarios where a human driver would need to exit the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle comprises a frame including a support frame. At least one marker is supported on the support frame. A marker deployment system includes a drone placement device for locating each of the at least one markers from the support base to a desired location relative to the vehicle. An autonomy system includes a processing system, comprises a processor, and a memory device, the memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor transmit signals to the device causing the device to locate each of the at least one markers at the desired location relative to the autonomous vehicle.