Autonomous Vehicle Alignment Using Onboard Camera Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle alignment issues when entering automated car washes or oil change bays often require manual guidance to avoid damage, necessitating the presence of an attendant.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with cameras and sensors that process images to identify and locate fixed objects, allowing for autonomous vehicle movement, steering, and braking to align the vehicle without driver intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual guidance by an attendant is used to align the vehicle, then the risk of vehicle damage is reduced, but the operational efficiency and productivity decrease due to the need for human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle alignment system performs the alignment function autonomously using onboard cameras and controllers to detect the fixed object and adjust vehicle position, eliminating the need for external attendant intervention while maintaining safety and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical guidance process is replaced with an automated optical detection and control system that uses cameras to capture images, processes them to identify the fixed object, and automatically controls vehicle movement and steering for precise alignment
2Measurement precision
If an attendant manually guides the vehicle into position, then accurate alignment is achieved, but the device complexity and operational cost increase due to additional personnel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The onboard camera system and controller serve multiple functions including detecting the fixed object, determining vehicle position and orientation, calculating alignment adjustments, and controlling vehicle movement, replacing multiple specialized devices with an integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital representation of the physical environment by capturing images with cameras and processing them to identify the fixed object's position and characteristics, allowing the controller to plan and execute precise alignment maneuvers based on this visual information
3Ease of operation
If the driver manually operates the vehicle into the bay, then the system is simple to operate, but the alignment precision and safety decrease due to driver difficulty in judging position
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs self-alignment by autonomously detecting the fixed object using onboard cameras and automatically controlling its own movement and steering, eliminating the need for the driver to manually judge position and make alignment adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images with onboard cameras, processes them to determine the vehicle's relative position and orientation to the fixed object, calculates required alignment adjustments, and controls vehicle movement accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system for precise alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A system for autonomously moving and aligning a vehicle with respect to an object fixed to a traveling surface in front of the vehicle includes at least one camera packaged within the vehicle to obtain images of the fixed object. A controller packaged within the vehicle receives the images from the camera and processes the images so as to identify and locate the fixed object with respect to the vehicle. A drive system, connected with the controller, is constructed and arranged to cause autonomous movement, steering and braking of the vehicle. A user input device is constructed and arranged to activate the controller 1) to identify and locate the fixed object relative to the vehicle, and 2) to command the drive system to autonomously move the vehicle towards the fixed object and to stop the vehicle so as to be aligned relative to the fixed object.