Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Fusion for Urban Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle navigation systems are inadequate for effectively detecting and navigating around varied and unknown obstacles in cluttered environments, particularly in low-altitude urban reconnaissance missions where both large and small, fixed or moving obstacles are encountered.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle navigation system that combines cameras and echolocation sensors with overlapping fields of view, working in conjunction with a global positioning system (GPS), to detect and avoid obstacles by determining a course, calculating revised paths, and executing dodging maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single sensor type is used for obstacle detection, then the system is simple, but the detection capability is insufficient for varied obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (cameras, echolocation sensors, GPS) into a single navigation system. The cameras detect visual obstacles while echolocation sensors detect obstacles through sound wave reflection, creating a complementary multi-sensor system that overcomes the limitations of single-sensor approaches and provides comprehensive obstacle detection capability.
2Reliability
If overlapping fields of view are implemented, then detection coverage is improved, but sensor array complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system divides the detection task among multiple sensors with specific field of view assignments. Cameras provide wide-angle visual detection while echolocation sensors provide focused acoustic detection in overlapping regions. This segmentation of detection functions across multiple sensors achieves comprehensive coverage while managing system complexity through functional specialization.
3Reliability
If multiple obstacle detection systems are integrated, then navigation reliability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an image processing module as an intermediary that receives data from both cameras and echolocation sensors, processes this multi-source information, and generates integrated navigation commands. This intermediary processing layer harmonizes the different data formats and detection methodologies, managing the complexity of integrating multiple sensor systems while maintaining high navigation reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the vehicle's ability to navigate through complex environments by providing comprehensive obstacle detection and avoidance, improving safety and efficiency in urban reconnaissance missions.
Implementation Method 1
an echolocation system having an array of echolocation sensors mounted within the housing. The echolocation sensors may have a second predetermined overlap in fields of view
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle is improved with a navigational system having both cameras and echolocation sensors. The cameras and echolocation sensors may be part of an optical and echolocation system, respectively, that may work in conjunction with, for example, a global positioning system to determine a course for the autonomous vehicle to reach an objective while detecting and avoid obstacles along the course.