Autonomous Vehicle Navigation Data Switching for Construction Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating specific areas like construction zones, private property, and state parks due to outdated or insufficient navigation data from their onboard systems, which can lead to suboptimal operation and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The system switches to using navigation data from a second data source once an autonomous vehicle enters a specific area, providing more current and detailed information, and can alter sensor usage and control schemes as needed, such as disabling ABS in certain terrains or changing sensor priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles use onboard navigation data systems, then they can navigate roadways autonomously, but the navigation data becomes outdated or insufficient in specific areas like construction zones and private property
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by identifying specific areas (construction zones, private property, state parks) in advance and preparing to access secondary navigation data sources before entering these areas. The autonomous vehicle proactively switches data sources based on predicted entry into zones where onboard data may be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary navigation data source acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's onboard system and the external environment. This secondary source provides specialized navigation data for specific areas, mediating the information gap between general onboard navigation data and area-specific requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous vehicles use a single navigation data source, then the system complexity is reduced, but the vehicle cannot adapt to unique conditions in specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation data source is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically switches between primary onboard navigation data and secondary area-specific navigation data based on the vehicle's location and the characteristics of the area it is entering or traversing. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle diverse conditions without requiring permanently active complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system achieves multi-functionality by using a single unified system that can access multiple data sources. The same autonomous vehicle navigation system serves both general roadway navigation (using onboard data) and area-specific navigation (using secondary data sources), eliminating the need for separate specialized systems.
3Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles switch to secondary navigation data sources in specific areas, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the system requires more complex data management
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different navigation data qualities in different spatial locations. General onboard navigation data is used for most areas, while high-precision secondary navigation data is specifically applied only in areas where it is needed (construction zones, private property, state parks). This localized approach optimizes accuracy where required without unnecessarily complicating the system throughout the entire vehicle operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product is provided including computer readable program code for controlling the operation of an autonomous vehicle. The computer program product includes computer readable program code for using navigation data from a first data source until the autonomous vehicle reaches a specific area for which a second data source has navigation data for the specific area, and computer readable program code for using navigation data from the second data source to control operation of the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is within the specific area. Non-limiting examples of a specific area include construction zones, private property, secure areas, and state parks. When the autonomous vehicle reaches these specific areas, navigation data specific to this area may be downloaded from a second data source.