Autonomous Vehicle Navigation in Manufacturing Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Efficiently moving vehicles from one post-production location to another in a manufacturing environment is labor and infrastructure intensive, lacking autonomous navigation solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for autonomously navigating vehicles using transportation scheduling data, location data from GNSS, V2X communication, indoor, or laser positioning systems, and imaging sensors to determine and instruct vehicle paths, enabling vehicles to travel independently to designated post-production locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual labor and infrastructure are used to move vehicles between post-production locations, then vehicles can be transported, but significant amounts of labor and infrastructure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously navigates and transports itself between post-production locations using self-driven capability, eliminating the need for external towing infrastructure and manual labor. The navigation system enables the vehicle to independently determine routes and execute movement without human intervention or complex supporting infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical towing systems with an autonomous electronic navigation and self-driven system. The vehicle uses electronic navigation data, processors, and self-propulsion mechanisms instead of mechanical tow trucks and manual operations, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining transportation capability.
2Productivity
If manual labor is used to move vehicles, then vehicles can be transported, but significant labor is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs its own transportation task autonomously without human intervention. The onboard navigation system processes transportation data, determines optimal routes, and controls the vehicle's movement automatically, eliminating the need for manual labor while improving transportation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system receives and processes transportation data in advance before the vehicle needs to move. This preliminary processing of route information and navigation data enables the vehicle to execute autonomous movement efficiently without requiring manual intervention during the actual transportation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for autonomously navigating a subject vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles in an environment includes determining whether the subject vehicle is to be moved from a first post-production location to a second post-production location within the environment based on transportation scheduling data associated with the subject vehicle. The method includes executing a navigation routine in response to the transportation scheduling data indicating the subject vehicle is to be moved. The navigation routine includes obtaining location data associated with the plurality of vehicles, identifying a vehicle path for the subject vehicle based on the location data of the plurality of vehicles, the first post-production location, the second post-production location, or a combination thereof, and instructing the subject vehicle to autonomously travel along the vehicle path to the second post-production location.