Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Formation and Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of autonomous vehicle fleets is complex due to varying user motivations and benefits, requiring a coordinated system to optimize energy efficiency and incentivize participation among all members.
Innovation Solution
A data processing unit and data transmission interface system that determines optimal vehicle itineraries and positions within a fleet, offering incentives and compensation to distribute energy efficiency benefits equitably, while allowing users to set value-based criteria for participation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If autonomous vehicles form a fleet to reduce energy consumption through aerodynamic drag reduction, then energy efficiency improves, but the complexity of coordinating fleet formation and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
A central coordinator system acts as an intermediary between autonomous vehicles, receiving itinerary data from multiple vehicles, processing fleet formation proposals, and distributing positioning instructions. This mediator manages the complexity of coordinating aerodynamic benefits while individual vehicles simply follow instructions, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency gains and coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating optimal fleet formations and positioning arrangements before vehicles execute their routes. The coordinator determines the optimal fleet configuration in advance based on shared itineraries, allowing vehicles to join the fleet without real-time negotiation, thus reducing coordination complexity while maintaining energy efficiency benefits.
2Productivity
If the system coordinates fleet formation to optimize energy efficiency for all members, then energy efficiency improves, but the complexity of determining optimal positioning and distributing benefits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles report their itinerary requirements and the coordinator provides feedback on fleet formation opportunities. The coordinator calculates energy efficiency benefits for each potential fleet member and communicates optimal positioning instructions, creating a feedback loop that optimizes operating efficiency while managing benefit distribution complexity through automated calculations and communications.
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
This system enables coordinated fleet formation and positioning, optimizing energy efficiency and operating costs for all vehicles, ensuring equitable benefits and improved range management within the fleet.
Implementation Method 1
A fleet of autonomously connected vehicles has been shown to provide the opportunity for smaller vehicle separation distance, mutually beneficial aerodynamic drag reduction, and therefore increased operating efficiency and less overall energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for forming a fleet and positioning vehicles in the fleet are disclosed. The system comprises a data transmission interface and a data processing unit. The data processing unit sends data to and receives data from the data transmission interface. The data processing unit determines an itinerary of each of a group of vehicles requesting to join a fleet. The data processing unit compares the itinerary of all vehicles of the group of vehicles. The data processing unit determines a second vehicle to form a fleet with a first vehicle from the group of vehicles. The data transmission interface communicates to the first vehicle a proposal to form a fleet with the second vehicle. The data processing unit determines if the first vehicle accepts the proposal, and if yes, determines instructions for the first vehicle how to join the fleet.