External Sensor Planning for Autonomous Driving Zone Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving systems face challenges in obtaining reliable data for controlling vehicle operations, especially in adverse weather conditions and when detecting sudden events, due to limitations in data collection from internal sensors, which can lead to delayed reaction times and increased risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
A central planning platform that aggregates data from external sensors and multiple vehicles to provide direct, reliable information to autonomous vehicles, combined with a multi-access edge computing environment for enhanced processing and communication, enabling faster and more accurate control commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous driving systems rely solely on internal sensors for data collection, then the system complexity remains manageable, but the reliability of data and reaction time deteriorate in adverse weather conditions and sudden events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central planning platform as an intermediary that aggregates sensor data from multiple external sources (weather sensors, traffic sensors, other vehicles) and processes this information centrally. This mediator provides refined, context-enriched data to the autonomous vehicle, improving data reliability without requiring the vehicle itself to manage the complexity of multiple external sensor connections and data fusion algorithms.
2Speed
If autonomous driving systems use only internal sensors, then the device complexity is lower, but the reaction time to sudden events increases and collision risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The central planning platform performs preliminary data aggregation and processing from multiple external sensors before the autonomous vehicle needs the information. Environmental data, traffic conditions, and potential hazards are pre-processed and made available to the vehicle in advance, enabling faster reaction times without the vehicle carrying the computational burden of real-time multi-source data fusion.
3Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles collect data from multiple external sources, then the measurement precision and situational awareness improve, but the loss of time for data processing and communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data collection and initial processing functions of multiple external sensors into a single central planning platform. Instead of each autonomous vehicle independently collecting and processing data from weather sensors, traffic sensors, and other sources, the system combines these functions centrally, reducing redundant processing and communication overhead while maintaining high measurement precision through aggregated multi-source data.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include one or more processors configured to receive sensor data from an external sensor associated with an autonomous driving zone; generate a map of the autonomous driving zone based on the sensor data; determine that a vehicle is entering the autonomous driving zone; and transmit a signal to the vehicle based on the vehicle entering the autonomous driving zone. The signal may cause the vehicle to begin operating in a full autonomous mode. The one or more processors may be configured further to determine an objective associated with the vehicle; receive first data obtained by one or more first sensors associated with the vehicle and second data obtained by the external sensor; determine a route based on the objective, the first data, and the second data; and transmit information identifying the route to the vehicle. The route may allow the vehicle to satisfy the objective.