Autonomous Vehicle Retrieval via Learned Path Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle communication systems lack the ability to autonomously retrieve a vehicle from a final destination back to a starting position without human intervention, limiting convenience and efficiency in scenarios like valet parking or retrieving a vehicle from public locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a wireless device to initiate a 'learn' mode, record a path from a starting position to a final destination, generate a return path, and autonomously operate the vehicle back to the starting position upon receiving a 'retrieve' command, using vehicle telematics units and GPS modules for navigation and obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a vehicle is parked at a final destination without autonomous retrieval capability, then the vehicle remains stationary at the parking location, but the user must manually travel to retrieve the vehicle, increasing loss of time and reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously retrieves itself to the starting position without human intervention. The system records the path from starting position to final destination, generates a return path, and automatically navigates the vehicle back, enabling the vehicle to serve itself rather than requiring the user to manually retrieve it
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by recording the path and generating the return path in advance during a learn mode. This pre-programming of the retrieval route enables the vehicle to automatically return when commanded, eliminating the need for real-time human navigation input
2Ease of operation
If traditional valet parking services are used for vehicle retrieval, then professional parking assistance is provided, but additional service costs are incurred and human intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously performs the retrieval function that would otherwise require a valet service. By enabling the vehicle to self-navigate back to the starting position using recorded path data and obstacle detection, the system eliminates the need for paid valet services while maintaining or improving convenience
3Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicle operation is implemented without path recording capability, then the vehicle cannot navigate back to the starting position, but the system would require complex real-time navigation infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system records the forward path from starting position to final destination during a learn mode, then generates the return path in advance. This pre-programming approach simplifies the autonomous navigation requirement by eliminating the need for complex real-time mapping and navigation infrastructure, as the return route is already determined
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the forward path data and generates a return path based on this recorded information. By using the previously recorded trajectory and environmental data, the vehicle can autonomously navigate back without requiring separate complex navigation systems, effectively copying and reversing the original route information
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of retrieving a vehicle includes generating a path from a final destination to a starting position, receiving a command to retrieve the vehicle, and autonomously operating the vehicle along the path from the final vehicle destination to the starting vehicle position.