Camera-Radar Cross-Traffic Braking at Intersections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle vision systems lack effective collision avoidance capabilities, particularly at intersections, where cross-path collisions can occur due to limitations in sensor fusion and timely braking responses.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular driving assist system that combines camera and radar sensor data to detect lane markers and objects, calculates a time to collision (TTC), and generates a braking command when TTC falls below a threshold, using an electronic control unit (ECU) to process image and sensor data for predictive collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera and radar sensor data are combined for cross traffic detection, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines camera and radar sensor data processing within the ECU to create a unified cross-traffic detection system. The ECU receives image data from the camera and sensor data from the radar, processes both data streams simultaneously, and integrates the information to detect cross-path threats and calculate time-to-collision, thereby improving collision avoidance capability through multi-sensor fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU is designed to perform multiple functions: processing camera image data for lane marker detection, processing radar sensor data for object detection, fusing both data streams for cross-traffic detection, calculating time-to-collision, and generating braking commands. This multi-functional approach consolidates complex operations into a single control unit, managing system complexity while enhancing reliability.
2Loss of time
If real-time sensor data processing is performed to calculate time to collision, then braking response time is improved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously processes sensor data and maintains readiness to calculate time-to-collision by monitoring relative positions and velocities of detected objects. This preliminary processing ensures that when a cross-traffic threat is identified, the ECU can immediately compute TTC and generate braking commands without delay, improving response time while distributing computational load over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU implements a feedback loop that continuously monitors sensor data, updates object positions and velocities, recalculates time-to-collision, and adjusts braking commands as needed. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures rapid response to changing conditions while optimizing computational resource usage by processing only relevant data changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances safety by accurately detecting cross-path threats and automatically braking to prevent collisions, improving driver and occupant safety by minimizing the risk of cross-path collisions at intersections.
Implementation Method 1
a radar sensor disposed at the vehicle. The radar sensor senses at least forward of the vehicle and is operable to capture sensor data
Implementation Method 2
The camera views at least forward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driving assist system includes a camera and a radar sensor disposed at a vehicle. The system, via processing at the ECU of captured image data and captured sensor data, detects an object and determines that the detected object is traveling along a lane that intersects with a lane the vehicle is traveling along. The system, responsive to processing of captured image data and captured sensor data and responsive to determining that the detected object is traveling along the lane that intersects with the lane the vehicle is traveling along, determines a time to collision (TTC) between the vehicle and the detected object at the intersection. The system, responsive to determining that the TTC is below a threshold amount of time, generates a braking command to slow the vehicle prior to reaching the intersection.