Car Wash Actuator Control Using Vehicle Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicle service facilities face challenges in accurately adjusting control of actuation components to different vehicle configurations, leading to potential vehicle damage, operational inefficiencies, and reduced customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an image capture and recognition system to identify vehicle features and license plates, enabling selective deployment of actuation components based on vehicle-specific data to ensure accurate and automated service provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If automated car wash systems use fixed actuation components for all vehicles, then system simplicity is maintained, but vehicle damage risk increases due to inability to accommodate different vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The car wash system transitions from fixed, static actuation components to dynamic, adjustable components that can move and reposition based on detected vehicle features. The actuation components are controlled to adapt their positions and movements according to the specific configuration of each vehicle, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and vehicle damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the actuation components (position, speed, force) based on vehicle detection data. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to vehicle type and configuration, the system maintains simplicity while preventing damage to vehicles with protruding or customized components.
2Measurement precision
If image recognition systems are implemented to identify vehicle features, then service accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual vehicle inspection and configuration assessment with automated image recognition technology. Cameras and processing systems capture vehicle images and automatically identify features such as protruding components, eliminating the need for manual assessment and reducing operational complexity despite adding detection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The image recognition system enables the car wash system to automatically identify and adapt to vehicle configurations without human intervention. The system self-adjusts actuation component positions based on detected vehicle features, improving service accuracy while the automation ultimately simplifies operational complexity.
3Productivity
If actuation components are deployed without vehicle-specific adjustments, then operational speed is maintained, but resource waste increases due to incorrect service provision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification of vehicle features using image recognition before the vehicle enters the wash area. This advance information allows the control system to pre-position actuation components and plan the washing sequence, enabling fast operation without resource waste from incorrect service provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image recognition data as feedback to continuously adjust actuation component positions and washing parameters. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains high operational speed while avoiding resource waste by adapting to the actual vehicle configuration throughout the washing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include one or more processors, coupled with memory. The one or more processors can receive first images of a vehicle and a license plate of the vehicle and identify, from the first images, license plate information of the vehicle and one more vehicle features of the vehicle and identify a type of car wash service to be performed on the vehicle. The one or more processors can generate a car wash service request and receive one or more second images of the license plate of the vehicle. The one or more processors can identify an identity of the vehicle entering into the car wash system, generate a car wash routine using the car wash service request, and transmit instructions to cause the car wash system to execute the car wash routine by selectively controlling deployment of car wash actuation components based on the vehicle features.