Autonomous Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles require manual maintenance scheduling, which disrupts their operation and limits the time-saving benefits of autonomy, as they need to be taken to maintenance stations, causing downtime when most needed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatic maintenance that includes autonomous vehicles, maintenance coordinators, and maintenance entities (stations or vehicles) that utilize sensing capabilities to detect maintenance needs and schedule maintenance sessions efficiently, reducing disruption and increasing utilization by allowing maintenance to be performed on-site or during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual maintenance scheduling is used for autonomous vehicles, then maintenance can be performed at dedicated stations, but vehicle downtime increases and availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs maintenance operations on itself using onboard robotic systems, sensors, and tools. The vehicle can autonomously diagnose issues, retrieve parts from storage compartments, and execute repair procedures without human intervention, thereby eliminating the need to travel to external maintenance stations and reducing downtime significantly
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance system transitions from static, scheduled maintenance at fixed locations to dynamic, on-demand maintenance that can occur anywhere the vehicle operates. The system adapts maintenance timing and location based on real-time vehicle condition monitoring, allowing maintenance to be performed during idle periods or low-traffic times without disrupting service
2Ease of repair
If autonomous vehicles are taken to maintenance stations, then proper maintenance can be performed, but operational efficiency decreases due to scheduling disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance system is divided into modular functional units that can be independently deployed. Critical maintenance functions such as diagnostics, part retrieval, and basic repairs are segmented and can be performed autonomously at the vehicle, while more complex maintenance tasks can be handled by external specialists when needed, optimizing the balance between autonomy and professional service
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle is equipped with universal maintenance capabilities that can handle multiple types of maintenance tasks across different vehicle systems. The onboard maintenance system is designed to perform diverse functions including sensor calibration, mechanical repairs, software updates, and diagnostic testing, reducing dependency on specialized external maintenance facilities
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatic maintenance of an autonomous vehicle include: identifying a maintenance requirement for an autonomous vehicle, wherein identifying a maintenance requirement includes using one or more sensors to obtain vehicle maintenance data; in response to identifying the maintenance requirement, generating a maintenance request comprising a description or data relating to the maintenance requirement; transmitting the maintenance request; receiving maintenance instructions comprising maintenance routing instructions and a maintenance schedule for a maintenance session for resolving the maintenance requirement; and implementing the maintenance instructions.