Bimodal Vehicle Autonomous Mode Control via Geofencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous ground vehicles lack a flexible operating mode that allows them to seamlessly transition between autonomous and manual control, particularly in specific sites like campuses or car rental spaces, and do not efficiently manage maintenance and fleet distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and device enabling autonomous vehicles to operate in two modes: manual and autonomous, with autonomous mode activation restricted to specific sites, using GPS and sensor data for navigation, and incorporating a remote server to manage vehicle movements, reservations, and maintenance tasks, ensuring efficient fleet management and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If autonomous mode is activated in all locations, then vehicle automation capability is improved, but safety and control risks increase in uncontrolled environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting autonomous mode activation to specifically designated sites (geofenced areas) rather than allowing it universally. The vehicle determines whether it is within an authorized site using GPS coordinates compared against predefined site boundaries, and only permits autonomous operation when located within these designated zones. This resolves the contradiction by enabling automation locally where it is safe and controlled, while preventing autonomous mode in uncontrolled environments.
2Reliability
If autonomous mode is restricted to specific sites, then safety and control are improved, but vehicle operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the operational mode to dynamically switch between autonomous and manual based on the vehicle's location. When the vehicle enters a designated site, autonomous mode can be activated; when it leaves the site, the system automatically restricts to manual mode. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing operational flexibility through automatic mode transitions while maintaining safety through location-based constraints.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is required for all trips, then user control is improved, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to unnecessary driving tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vehicle operation into two distinct segments: trips within designated sites where autonomous mode is permitted, and trips outside designated sites where manual control is required. This segmentation allows users to benefit from autonomous automation for site-specific tasks (improving productivity) while maintaining manual control for external journeys (preserving user control), thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity.
4Productivity
If autonomous mode is permitted everywhere, then productivity is improved by reducing manual driving, but device complexity increases due to constant mode monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the boundaries and parameters of authorized sites before vehicle operation begins. The geofenced areas, their coordinates, and the conditions for autonomous mode activation are predetermined and stored in the system. This preliminary configuration reduces device complexity during operation, as the vehicle simply needs to compare its current location against the pre-established site definitions rather than continuously analyzing complex environmental factors to determine autonomous mode eligibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to the control of autonomous vehicles, and to a method for controlling at least one autonomous ground vehicle capable of adopting two operating modes, said modes including a manual mode in which the driving depends on driving instructions from the driver of the vehicle, and an autonomous mode, in which the driving depends on data received from sensors suitable for providing information on the surroundings of the vehicle, and on data received by a navigation system, wherein the method includes: authorizing the autonomous mode only when the vehicle is within an area determined by defined boundaries; receiving reservation data from a user interface; generating a set message to be transmitted to the vehicle in accordance with the received reservation data; and transmitting the set message to the vehicle such that said vehicle autonomously performs a movement corresponding to the transmitted set message.