Autonomous Vehicle Pickup Zone Visualization for Flexible Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for autonomous vehicles and taxi services fail to provide real-time information about the vehicle's actions while en route to pick up a passenger, making it confusing for users when the vehicle cannot stop at the exact specified location, especially in situations like no parking or available space.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a client computing device to display a map with a marker for the vehicle's location, a pickup zone around the preferred pickup location, and a route that ends at the zone's edge, allowing the user to understand the flexible nature of the pickup location, with updates on the vehicle's progress and status indicators for finding a stopping spot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle stops at the exact specified pickup location, then the user's pickup requirement is precisely met, but the vehicle may be unable to stop due to lack of parking space or available area
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pickup location from a fixed point to a flexible zone. The pickup location is represented as a geographic area with multiple potential stopping spots rather than a single coordinate, allowing the vehicle to adapt its stopping position based on real-time conditions such as parking availability while remaining within the acceptable pickup zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of pickup location from a precise coordinate to a spatial zone with defined boundaries. By transforming the location specification from a point to an area with multiple valid stopping positions, the system enables both precision (within the zone) and flexibility (choice of specific spot).
2Loss of information
If the system provides real-time information about vehicle actions and status, then user understanding and communication are improved, but the device complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously providing the user with real-time information about the vehicle's status, location, and actions. The client device receives and displays updates about whether the vehicle is searching for a stopping spot, has found one, is approaching the pickup zone, or has arrived, keeping the user informed without requiring complex two-way communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device acts as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle and the user. It receives status information from the vehicle, processes it into meaningful updates, and presents it to the user in an understandable format, simplifying the information flow without requiring direct complex communication between the vehicle systems and user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing information about a vehicle dispatched to pick up the user. In one example, a request for the vehicle to stop at a particular location is sent. In response, information identifying a current location of the vehicle is received. A map is generated. The map includes a first marker identifying the received location of the vehicle, a second marker identifying the particular location, and a shape defining an area around the second marker at which the vehicle may stop. The shape has an edge at least a minimum distance greater than zero from the second area. A route is displayed on the map between the first marker and the shape such that the route ends at the shape and does not reach the second marker. Progress of the vehicle towards the area along the route is displayed based on received updated location information for the vehicle.