Camera-Based Vehicle Navigation Using Warped Road-Feature Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating due to the vast amounts of data they need to process, analyze, and store, including visual information, GPS data, and sensor data, which can limit their navigation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of cameras to provide autonomous vehicle navigation features, where systems include one or more cameras that monitor the environment, and processors analyze images to generate warped images, identify road features, determine navigational actions, and implement these actions through actuator systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mapping technology is used to navigate, then navigation capability is provided, but the sheer volume of data needed to store and update the map poses daunting challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential navigational features from the environment (road markings, signs, signals, terrain features) rather than storing complete map data. This selective extraction of critical information reduces data volume while maintaining navigation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the environment into discrete navigational features (road markings, signs, signals, terrain elements) that can be independently identified and processed. This segmentation allows the system to focus on specific relevant elements rather than processing entire map datasets.
2Measurement precision
If vast volumes of information are collected and analyzed, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the sheer quantity of data limits or adversely affects autonomous navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing processing power on identifying and analyzing specific local features (road markings, signs, signals) rather than processing all collected data uniformly. This selective focus improves navigation accuracy while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of navigational features and their characteristics before making navigation decisions. This preliminary processing organizes data in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and cameras are used to monitor the environment, then navigation safety is improved, but the quantity of data to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges information from multiple sensors and cameras to identify navigational features, combining data sources to achieve comprehensive environmental awareness while reducing redundant data processing through integrated feature identification.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for vehicle navigation. In one implementation, at least one processor may be programmed to receive, from a camera, a captured image representative of features in an environment of the vehicle. The processor may generate a warped image based on the received captured image, which may simulate a view of the features in the environment of the vehicle from a simulated viewpoint elevated relative to an actual position of the camera. The processor may further identify a road feature represented in the warped image, which may be transformed in one or more respects relative to a representation of the road feature in the captured image. The processor may then determine a navigational action for the vehicle based on the identified feature represented in the warped image and cause at least one actuator system of the vehicle to implement the determined navigational action.