Autonomous Vehicle Sensor FOV Adaptation Under Environmental Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in accurately detecting objects in varying environmental conditions due to degradation in sensor data parameters, leading to reduced confidence in object detection and navigation.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the operating field of view volume of sensors based on detected degradations in sensor data parameters between different environmental conditions, using a method that compares current sensor data with past data to dynamically adapt and maintain accurate object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor operates in a fixed field of view volume, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of object detection degrades in varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sensor's field of view volume adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the operating field of view volume based on environmental conditions detected by sensors. When environmental degradation is detected (such as adverse weather or lighting conditions), the system adjusts the field of view parameters to maintain reliable object detection, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor adjusts field of view volume dynamically, then the adaptability to environmental conditions improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring environmental conditions using sensors and using this information to adjust the operating field of view volume. The system receives sensor data about the environment, determines degradation in detection parameters, and automatically adjusts the field of view volume in response. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables adaptability to varying environmental conditions while keeping the adjustment mechanism relatively simple and automated.
3Area of stationary object
If the sensor maintains a large field of view volume, then the coverage area increases, but the measurement precision of detected objects decreases in degraded conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the field of view volume adjustable based on environmental conditions. In normal conditions, the system maintains a larger field of view volume for broader coverage. When environmental degradation is detected (such as poor weather or lighting), the system dynamically reduces the field of view volume to concentrate sensing resources and improve measurement precision for objects within the reduced coverage area, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.