Autonomous Vehicle Towing Coordination Using Sensor-Based Assistance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roadside assistance for vehicles, especially autonomous ones, relies on human intervention, which is time-consuming, error-prone, and dangerous, especially as autonomous vehicles enter roadways without human operators to provide or receive assistance.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous towing vehicle system that uses sensor data analysis to determine if a vehicle needs assistance and can autonomously initiate a towing mechanism without human intervention, using communication services to authenticate and negotiate with the vehicle for towing services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators are used for roadside assistance, then vehicles can receive help with towing and repair coordination, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs roadside assistance coordination itself through its communication service, which automatically detects assistance needs, contacts towing services, and coordinates the process without human intervention, eliminating both time delays and human errors in coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human operator system with an automated communication service that uses sensor data analysis and electronic communication to detect vehicle needs and coordinate assistance, achieving faster and more reliable coordination
2Ease of operation
If human operators are used for roadside assistance, then assistance can be provided, but the process becomes potentially dangerous for autonomous vehicles without human operators
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle independently manages its own safety by using its communication service to detect when assistance is needed and automatically coordinating with towing services, eliminating the need for vulnerable human operators to intervene in potentially dangerous situations
Solution Approach 2:
The communication service continuously monitors sensor data to detect assistance needs before critical failures occur, allowing the vehicle to proactively coordinate safety assistance rather than reacting to emergencies
3Productivity
If autonomous vehicles operate without human operators, then efficiency is improved, but the ability to request and receive assistance becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle's communication service automatically detects when assistance is needed through sensor data analysis and initiates coordination with towing services without requiring human operators, maintaining operational efficiency while ensuring assistance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The communication service continuously receives sensor data feedback from the autonomous vehicle to detect operational anomalies and assistance needs, enabling the vehicle to autonomously request help when required while maintaining high operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide for enabling an autonomous vehicle to provide road assistance to a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can analyze sensor data about the vehicle captured by one or more of its sensors as it navigates a route. Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle can determine that the vehicle needs maintenance. The autonomous vehicle can proactively send a request, based on the determination, to initiate a towing mechanism to tow the vehicle. Based on receiving an acceptance of the request from the vehicle, the autonomous vehicle can activate the towing mechanism.