Autonomous Vehicle Driving Path Generation Using Lateral Constraints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle navigation systems face inefficiencies due to inaccuracies in nominal driving paths, which can restrict vehicle movement and processing efficiency, and do not adequately account for lane structures and features, leading to reduced operating options and increased processing demands.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines driving paths for autonomous vehicles by receiving map data, identifying trajectory points, and generating path information based on traversals, including lateral constraints and feature information, to provide more accurate and efficient routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nominal driving paths are used for autonomous vehicle navigation, then the vehicle can follow a predefined route, but the paths contain inaccuracies that restrict vehicle movement and reduce processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nominal driving path into multiple trajectory points and divides the path into intervals. By processing the path in discrete segments rather than as a continuous whole, the system can efficiently calculate lateral distances to roadway features at each interval while maintaining flexibility for vehicle movement adjustments between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral dimension by calculating lateral distances from trajectory points to roadway features (shoulders, curbs, barriers) perpendicular to the driving path. This adds a lateral constraint dimension to the traditional longitudinal path following, enabling more accurate and flexible vehicle navigation that accounts for roadside features.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional path generation methods are used, then the navigation system is simple, but lane structures and roadway features are not adequately accounted for, reducing operating options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by determining lateral distances from trajectory points to roadway features before the vehicle reaches those points. By pre-calculating lateral constraints and feature information along the driving path, the system prepares navigation data in advance, enabling more operating options without increasing real-time processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces trajectory points as intermediary elements between the nominal driving path and roadway features. These trajectory points serve as calculation anchors for determining lateral distances to shoulders, curbs, and barriers, mediating the relationship between the vehicle path and roadside features to enhance adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If detailed feature information is incorporated into driving paths, then navigation accuracy improves, but processing demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by calculating lateral distances and feature information only at specific trajectory points and intervals along the driving path, rather than continuously throughout. This localized approach maintains high navigation accuracy at critical points while reducing overall processing energy requirements compared to continuous detailed analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving autonomous vehicle (AV) driving path data associated with a driving path in a roadway of a geographic location. The driving path data associated with a trajectory for an AV in a roadway and trajectory points in a trajectory of the driving path in the roadway for determining at least one feature of the roadway positioned a lateral distance from a first trajectory of the one or more trajectories of the driving path of an AV based on the map data. The method includes receiving map data associated with a map of a geographic location, determining a driving path for an AV in a roadway, generating driving path information based on a trajectory point in a trajectory of the driving path, and providing driving path data associated with the driving path to an AV for controlling the AV on the roadway.