Autonomous Vehicle Pullover Relocation for Passenger Disembarkation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles often pullover at inconvenient locations, such as near puddles or crowded areas, making it difficult for passengers to embark or disembark, and existing systems fail to consider passenger needs when changing pullover locations, leading to unnecessary delays and inconveniences.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows passengers to opt for a new pullover location by providing an option on the vehicle's display or client device, with the vehicle's computing devices determining feasibility and selecting a new location based on factors like roadway features and potential pullover spots, ensuring a safer and more convenient stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the autonomous vehicle stops at the initially selected pullover location, then the vehicle follows the planned route efficiently, but the passenger may face inconvenience due to unfavorable conditions (puddles, crowds, objects) making embarkation or disembarkation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pullover location based on real-time conditions. When the vehicle arrives at the initially selected location, the system evaluates environmental factors (puddles, crowds, objects) and automatically determines whether to relocate the pullover point, transforming a static route plan into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the conditions at the pullover location and using this information to make decisions about relocation. The system receives feedback about unfavorable conditions and adjusts the pullover location accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that improves passenger convenience
2Ease of operation
If the autonomous vehicle moves to a new pullover location to avoid unfavorable conditions, then passenger convenience is improved, but the vehicle deviates from the original route causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial relocation rather than complete route changes. When unfavorable conditions are detected, the system moves the vehicle to a nearby alternative location that is sufficient to avoid the problem (puddle, crowd, object) without requiring excessive deviation from the original route, thus minimizing time loss while achieving the goal of improved passenger convenience
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides real-time option to passenger to trigger vehicle movement, then passenger autonomy and satisfaction are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional communication and decision-making processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the passenger to autonomously decide whether to relocate the pullover location. The passenger receives information about unfavorable conditions and can independently make the decision to trigger vehicle movement, eliminating the need for complex human-operator communication systems and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide for pullover location changes for autonomous vehicles. For instance, an autonomous vehicle may be controlled in an autonomous driving mode to stop at a pullover location. Whether a passenger should be provided with an option to trigger the autonomous vehicle to move from the pullover location to a new pullover location may be determined. While the vehicle is stopped at the pullover location and based on the determination, a signal may be sent in order to provide the option to the passenger, and while the vehicle is stopped at the pullover location, an indication that the passenger has selected the option is received. In response to receiving the indication, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous driving mode to a new pullover location.