AV Sensor Calibration Facility with Self-Service Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) face challenges in maintaining accurate sensor calibration, which is time-consuming and requires specialized labor, leading to reduced utilization and increased operational costs due to the need for frequent recalibration of multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
A service facility and mobile platform that enable AVs to self-calibrate their sensors using calibration targets, allowing for concurrent calibration of multiple types of sensors during routine downtime or in the field, minimizing downtime and the need for dedicated calibration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sensor recalibration is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous vehicles to perform self-calibration of their sensors using onboard sensors and pre-stored calibration data, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The computing system automatically processes sensor data, compares it against reference values, and adjusts calibration parameters without human operators, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Calibration targets and reference data are pre-configured and stored in the system before actual calibration is needed. The computing system has calibration algorithms and reference measurements ready in advance, allowing immediate execution of calibration procedures when required, thus minimizing the time loss during actual calibration events.
2Measurement precision
If manual sensor recalibration is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle independently performs its own sensor calibration using automated algorithms and pre-stored reference data. This self-service capability eliminates the need to take vehicles offline for manual calibration by specialized personnel, allowing continuous operation and maximizing fleet utilization while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical calibration processes with automated computational methods. Instead of physical adjustment by technicians, the computing system uses algorithmic processing of sensor data against reference models to automatically correct calibration parameters, enabling calibration to occur during normal operation without reducing productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are calibrated sequentially, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple sensor calibration operations into a single integrated process. The computing system simultaneously processes data from multiple sensors and performs coordinated calibration adjustments, rather than calibrating each sensor separately. This merging of calibration tasks maintains precision while significantly reducing the total time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is designed to occur continuously during normal vehicle operation rather than requiring dedicated calibration time. Sensors are calibrated in real-time as the vehicle operates, with the computing system continuously processing sensor data and making adjustments without interrupting the vehicle's useful work, thereby eliminating idle calibration time.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a facility for calibrating sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a camera calibration target configured to be measured by and used for calibrating an optical camera of the AV; a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) calibration target configured to be measured by and used for calibrating a LiDAR transceiver of the AV; and a platform configured to allow the AV to drive onto and park on the platform. The camera calibration target and the LiDAR calibration target are positioned to be detectable by the optical camera and the LiDAR transceiver while the AV is parked on the platform. The platform is further configured to modify a lateral position, height, or orientation of the optical camera and the LiDAR transceiver relative to the camera calibration target and the LiDAR calibration target while the AV is parked on the platform.