Unmanned Vehicle Warning Placement for Emergency Stops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous driving systems lack an automated method for placing emergency signs in emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns, flat tires, or sensor failures, which are crucial for alerting other drivers and ensuring safety.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned vehicle system configured with processors and sensors that automatically determines target locations around a stopped vehicle and deploys warning signs or lights to alert other vehicles, using a combination of visual-inertial odometry and GPS for navigation, and can deploy multiple signs or lights at different locations to enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual emergency sign placement is used, then safety alert function is provided, but automation level is low and response time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system automatically detects emergency conditions through its sensors and autonomously deploys warning signs without requiring external manual intervention. The processor monitors vehicle status, determines when emergency signage is needed, and controls the deployment mechanism, enabling the system to serve itself in emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle carries warning signs stored in a compartment ready for deployment before an emergency occurs. The system pre-positiones multiple signs at different locations around the vehicle, so that when an emergency is detected, the signs can be immediately deployed without delay for manual placement.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple warning signs are deployed at different locations, then alert visibility is improved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The warning sign deployment is divided into multiple segments or locations around the vehicle (front, rear, sides). Each location has a designated target position for signs, allowing the system to segment the alert function across multiple positions to maximize visibility without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform multiple tasks: navigate to target locations, deploy warning signs, and potentially perform other safety functions. This universal design allows the same vehicle to handle various deployment scenarios without requiring specialized equipment for each function.
3Loss of time
If automatic emergency detection and sign deployment is implemented, then response time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring of vehicle status through existing sensors rather than continuous operation of the unmanned vehicle. The processor periodically checks for emergency conditions and only activates the unmanned vehicle when needed, converting continuous energy consumption into periodic, event-driven operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical deployment with automated electronic control. The processor electronically determines emergency conditions and automatically triggers the deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the time between emergency detection and sign deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an apparatus, comprises an unmanned vehicle configured to be disposed with a vehicle and a processor operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The processor is configured to receive a first signal indicating a stop of the vehicle without a user request and a second signal indicating a location of the vehicle. The processor is configured to determine, based on the location of the vehicle, a target location in a pre-defined area surrounding the vehicle. The processor is configured to send a third signal to the unmanned vehicle to instruct the unmanned vehicle to move to the target location to alert other vehicles via a warning regarding occurrence of the stop.