Autopilot Demotion for Unmanned Vehicle Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned vehicle control algorithms can lead to dangerous situations when they commit errors or make inaccurate calculations, causing the autopilot process to become out of control.
Innovation Solution
A method that acquires monitoring information of the unmanned vehicle when it is determined to be out of control, determines a safety level based on predefined correspondences, and controls the vehicle accordingly to prevent hazards, such as decelerating or adjusting direction, by utilizing a predefined correspondence between monitoring information and safety levels to demote the autopilot process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a control algorithm is employed to control the unmanned vehicle, then the autopilot process can be accomplished, but the vehicle may become out of control when the algorithm commits an error or makes inaccurate calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring driving information (speed, acceleration, position) and comparing it against boundary values. When the monitoring information exceeds predefined boundaries, the system detects the out-of-control state and triggers corrective actions to restore safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes predefined boundary values for various driving parameters before operation begins. These boundaries serve as preliminary safety thresholds that guide the control system's decisions, allowing the vehicle to operate within safe limits and triggering preventive actions before dangerous conditions develop.
2Ease of operation
If the control algorithm is used for autonomous driving, then the unmanned vehicle can operate automatically, but safety hazards occur when the algorithm makes errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares safety boundary values and monitoring mechanisms in advance to cushion against potential algorithm errors. By establishing predefined safe operating boundaries before deployment, the system creates a safety buffer that protects against harmful outcomes when the control algorithm makes mistakes or encounters unexpected situations.
3Reliability
If monitoring and control mechanisms are added to prevent out-of-control situations, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent monitors critical driving parameters (speed, acceleration, position) and compares them against boundary values. By focusing monitoring efforts on key parameters rather than all possible vehicle states, the system achieves comprehensive safety monitoring with manageable complexity. The boundary value comparisons provide a simple yet effective mechanism for detecting out-of-control conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an unmanned vehicle includes: acquiring unmanned vehicle monitoring information of the unmanned vehicle when it is determined that a course of the unmanned vehicle will be out of control; determining a safety level corresponding to the unmanned monitoring information according to a predefined correspondence between unmanned vehicle monitoring information and a safety level; and controlling, according to the safety level corresponding to the unmanned monitoring information, the unmanned vehicle to drive. Thus, upon determining that the unmanned vehicle has gone beyond a boundary of the autopilot, the problem is identified that the unmanned vehicle will encounter a danger in driving. Then, the autopilot process of the unmanned vehicle is demoted according to the severity of the danger, e.g., decelerated or adjusted in its direction, to avoid safety hazards.