Autonomous Vehicle Loop Detection From Route-Path Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles often become stuck in loops due to failed pullover attempts, missed turns, or software issues, leading to wasted time and resources and a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method to detect whether a vehicle is in a loop by generating a route from its current location to a destination, tracking its locations, comparing the route to the tracked locations to determine an overlap value, and determining if the vehicle is in a loop based on this comparison, with mitigation responses such as setting a new destination or connecting with remote assistance if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle continuously re-attempts the same route after a failed maneuver, then the vehicle may eventually succeed in completing the maneuver, but the vehicle becomes stuck in an infinite loop and wastes time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tracking of visited locations and compares them against the planned route before fully executing maneuvers. By detecting potential loops in advance through location comparison and overlap analysis, the system prevents infinite re-attempts of failed maneuvers, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining maneuver reliability and avoiding time-wasting loops
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vehicle location, compares it with the planned route, and provides feedback to detect when the vehicle is repeating the same path. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify loops and trigger mitigation responses, balancing the need to retry maneuvers with the need to avoid endless cycling
2Reliability
If the vehicle implements loop detection by comparing tracked locations with route locations, then the vehicle can identify and exit loops, but the computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential elements needed for loop detection by comparing tracked locations with planned route locations using a simplified overlap analysis. By focusing on location coordinates and route geometry rather than comprehensive environmental analysis, the system achieves reliable loop detection while minimizing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified representation of the vehicle's path by tracking visited locations and comparing them against the planned route. This copying approach uses basic geometric comparison of location sequences rather than complex spatial reasoning, enabling effective loop detection with reduced computational burden
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide for determining whether a vehicle is in a loop for an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a route from a current location of the vehicle to a destination for a trip may be generated. Locations traversed by the vehicle during the trip may be tracked. Locations of the route may be compared to the tracked locations to determine an overlap value. Whether the vehicle is in a loop may be determined based on the overlap value.