Autonomous Vehicle Parking Guidance via Beacon Interactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large and crowded parking lots, autonomous driving vehicles spend excessive time searching for parking spaces, leading to traffic congestion and reduced parking lot efficiency, as they methodically search for open spaces without efficient direction systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensing system with beacon devices and a parking server that communicate to guide autonomous vehicles to available parking spaces through instruction messages and expected interactions, ensuring efficient navigation and real-time updates on space availability, even in complex lot layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles methodically search for parking spaces by driving up and down rows, then they can locate available spaces, but the dwell time increases significantly in large crowded parking lots
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-mapping the parking lot layout and pre-identifying available parking spaces before the vehicle arrives. The server creates a digital map of the parking lot including all rows and spaces, and proactively determines which spaces are available, so that when the vehicle enters, it can be directly guided to an open space without methodical searching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary element - a centralized server - that acts as a mediator between the vehicle and the parking spaces. The server receives vehicle location data, processes it against the pre-mapped parking lot layout, calculates optimal parking space recommendations, and communicates these back to the vehicle, eliminating the need for the vehicle to perform time-consuming methodical searches itself.
2Reliability
If autonomous vehicles spend more time searching for parking spaces, then they can ensure finding available spaces, but traffic flow in the parking lot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the parking lot status and vehicle locations, then using this information to dynamically update and communicate recommended parking spaces to vehicles. The server receives real-time data about vehicle positions and parking space availability, processes this feedback information, and adjusts routing recommendations accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-identifying multiple potential parking spaces and calculating optimal routes to them before vehicles arrive. The server proactively determines which spaces are available and prepares routing instructions in advance, so vehicles can navigate directly to designated spaces without unnecessary searching or congestion.
3Loss of time
If a centralized system directs autonomous vehicles to parking spaces, then dwell time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by designing a multi-functional server that handles multiple tasks: creating and maintaining the digital map of the parking lot, receiving and processing vehicle location data, identifying available parking spaces, calculating optimal routes, and communicating with vehicles. This single centralized component performs all necessary functions, avoiding the need for multiple separate systems and reducing overall complexity despite the sophisticated capabilities required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces dwell time for autonomous vehicles, enhances traffic flow, and optimizes parking lot usage by providing real-time guidance and remedial instructions for vehicles, ensuring they reach available spaces efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle sensing system includes a vehicle sensing device configured to detect entry of a vehicle into a given area, and in response, to send to the vehicle an instruction message
Implementation Method 2
The at least one beacon device is configured to perform the expected interactions with the vehicle if the vehicle is driving on a proper path toward the available parking space, with the proper path including the vehicle autonomously driving within wireless communication range of the at least one beacon device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle sensing system includes a vehicle sensing device configured to detect entry of a vehicle into a given area, and in response, to send to the vehicle an instruction message. At least one beacon device is disposed somewhere between a location of entry of the vehicle into the given area and an available parking space. A parking server communicates with the vehicle based on the instruction message, and sends parking instructions to the vehicle, the parking instructions instructing the vehicle to autonomously drive toward the available parking space, and informing the vehicle of expected interactions with the beacon device as it autonomously drives toward the available parking space. The beacon device performs the expected interactions with the vehicle if the vehicle is driving on a proper path toward the available parking space, with the proper path including the vehicle autonomously driving within wireless communication range of the beacon device.