Autonomous Vehicle Construction Zone Sign Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating through construction zones as existing maps may not reflect recent changes, leading to potential safety issues during autonomous operation.
Innovation Solution
A computing device equipped with image-capture and LIDAR sensors detects construction zone signs and objects, determines their type, and modifies the vehicle's control strategy to ensure safe navigation through the zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles rely on existing maps for navigation, then navigation efficiency is maintained, but safety is compromised due to outdated information about construction zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of construction zone signs using image-capture devices and LIDAR sensors before navigation decisions are made. By提前 identifying construction zones and storing this information, the system ensures safety-critical data is available before it is needed for routing decisions, resolving the conflict between using outdated maps and ensuring safety.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle uses multiple sensors (image-capture and LIDAR) for construction zone detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines image-capture devices and LIDAR sensors into an integrated detection system that processes data from multiple sources simultaneously. This merging approach improves detection accuracy by cross-validating information from different sensor types while managing complexity through unified processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting construction zone signs, identifying construction objects, determining their types, and providing this information to navigation systems. This multi-functionality justifies the use of multiple sensors by consolidating their purposes into a single comprehensive system.
3Reliability
If the system processes images to detect construction zone signs and objects, then detection capability is enhanced, but computational energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for safe navigation—construction zone sign presence, object types, and their locations—from the full image and LIDAR data sets. By extracting only critical data rather than processing all information, the system maintains detection capability while reducing computational energy consumption.
4Reliability
If the vehicle modifies control strategy based on construction zone sign type, then driving safety is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts its strategy based on the detected construction zone sign type and associated risks. Rather than using a fixed control approach, the system modifies its behavior in real-time according to the specific construction scenario, improving safety while managing complexity through adaptive rather than exhaustive control logic.
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
Enables autonomous vehicles to safely traverse construction zones by accurately detecting signs and objects, adapting driving behavior based on the type of construction zone, thereby enhancing safety and navigation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A computing device equipped with image-capture and LIDAR sensors detects construction zone signs and objects
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detection of a construction zone sign are described. A computing device, configured to control the vehicle, may be configured to receive, from an image-capture device coupled to the computing device, images of a vicinity of the road on which the vehicle is travelling. Also, the computing device may be configured to determine image portions in the images that may depict sides of the road at a predetermined height range. Further, the computing device may be configured to detect a construction zone sign in the image portions, and determine a type of the construction zone sign. Accordingly, the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy.