Autonomous Vehicle Shielding via Favorable Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face safety issues when operating in environments where occupant views and sensor detection areas are obstructed, leading to blind spots that may result in unsafe navigation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying critical areas outside occupant and sensor detection zones, determining if an obstructing object is moving favorably relative to the vehicle's planned maneuver, and adjusting the vehicle's path to use the obstructing object as a shield from potential hazards within these blind spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the autonomous vehicle proceeds with navigation in obstructed environments, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to blind spots from obstructed occupant views and sensor detection areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the obstructing object itself as an intermediary shield. The system detects that the obstructing object is moving favorably (e.g., moving away or laterally), which creates a protective effect by blocking potential hazards from reaching the vehicle. This transforms the obstructing object from a harmful element into a beneficial protective barrier, allowing the vehicle to safely navigate through areas that would otherwise be undetectable blind spots.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle uses sensors to detect the environment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information occurs in areas outside sensor detection ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of obstructing objects (which create blind spots) into a beneficial protective mechanism. By detecting that the obstructing object is moving favorably, the system determines that the object itself is providing a protective shield, blocking potential hazards from the information-critical area. This transforms the information loss problem into a safety benefit, as the vehicle can rely on the moving obstructing object to protect it from unseen threats.
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements related to mitigating risk for autonomous vehicles in occupant view and vehicle sensor obstructed environments are presented. An information critical area in an external environment can be identified relative to a future planned driving maneuver of the autonomous vehicle. If at least a portion of the information critical area is outside of a determined occupant viewable area and a determined sensor detection area due to the presence of an obstructing object, it can be determined whether the obstructing object is moving favorably relative to the future planned driving maneuver. If the obstructing object is moving favorably relative to the future planned driving maneuver, the autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the future planned driving maneuver while moving relative to the obstructing object so as to be shielded by the detected obstructing object from any potential objects located in the at least a portion of the information critical area.