Autonomous Vehicle Route Planning for In-Service Map Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining up-to-date map data due to changing road conditions, leading to inefficiencies in navigation and resource utilization, as conventional methods for updating map data often require dedicated vehicles that could be generating revenue.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines a route for an autonomous vehicle based on travel times and benefit information, allowing it to collect updated map data while performing revenue-generating tasks, such as transporting passengers, by adjusting driving parameters and behaviors to prioritize map data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If dedicated vehicles are used to update map data, then map data freshness is improved, but vehicle utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling autonomous vehicles to simultaneously perform their primary revenue-generating transportation function and the secondary map data collection function. The vehicle operates as a multi-functional system that updates map data during normal operations without requiring dedicated map-updating vehicles, thus resolving the contradiction between map data freshness and vehicle utilization efficiency
2Loss of information
If autonomous vehicles deviate from optimal routes to collect map data, then map data coverage is improved, but travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the autonomous vehicle collect map data only at specific segments along its route where map data is determined to be outdated or insufficient, rather than deviating to collect data everywhere. The system selectively updates map data based on identified needs, thus improving map data coverage without significant travel time penalties
3Measurement precision
If map data is frequently updated, then navigation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the autonomous vehicle to automatically identify when map data updates are needed, collect the necessary data during normal operations, and integrate it into the navigation system without requiring complex external update mechanisms. The vehicle's navigation system autonomously manages its own map data freshness, improving navigation accuracy while minimizing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a computer system and techniques for updating map data used for navigating an autonomous vehicle. In some embodiments, the computer system is configured to obtain map data including a starting location and a destination location; obtain a plurality of travel times corresponding to a plurality of respective possible routes for traveling from the starting location to the destination location; obtain benefit information for at least a first respective possible route; and determine a selected route based on the travel times and the benefit information. In some embodiments, the computer system is configured to obtain a route between a starting location and a destination location; obtain map-age information for the route; determine a first set of driving parameters for the autonomous vehicle based on the map-age information; and navigate the autonomous vehicle along the route using the first set of driving parameters.