Ground Vehicle Route Planning Using Weighted Terrain Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing route planning techniques for unmanned vehicles in unfamiliar terrain require manual waypoint selection and rely on outdated or inaccurate base maps, making them time-consuming and unreliable, especially in evolving terrains like contested or construction sites.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes frequent and accurate UAV data to analyze geospatial data, weight terrain metrics based on vehicle constraints and mission priorities, and autonomously generate optimized routes using AI and machine learning to overcome the limitations of manual methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual waypoint selection and route generation techniques are used, then route planning can be performed with existing base maps and satellite data, but the process becomes time-consuming and manpower-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute planning accuracyVSAvoidroute planning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous route planning by having the ground vehicle independently process geospatial data, perform terrain analysis, and generate routes without manual intervention. The vehicle automatically weights terrain metrics based on its constraints and mission criteria, eliminating the need for human operators to manually select waypoints or generate routes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical route planning processes with automated computational systems. Instead of human operators manually analyzing maps and selecting waypoints, the system uses processing circuitry to automatically access geospatial data, perform terrain analysis, weight metrics, and generate optimized routes through algorithmic computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If pre-existing base maps and satellite data are used for route planning, then coverage area is extensive, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate in evolving terrains such as contested terrain, mine sites and construction sites

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain coverage areaVSAvoidterrain data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary terrain analysis by accessing and processing geospatial data before route generation. It pre-weights terrain metrics based on vehicle constraints and mission criteria, and pre-generates multiple candidate routes that can be quickly evaluated and adjusted as the vehicle moves through evolving terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to changing terrain conditions by continuously processing geospatial data and adjusting route generation in real-time. Instead of relying on static base maps, the vehicle performs ongoing terrain analysis and reweights metrics based on current conditions, allowing it to respond to evolving terrain such as construction sites or contested areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If satellite data is used for terrain analysis, then data collection coverage is broad, but accuracy is limited to 3 to 30 meters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection coverageVSAvoidterrain measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary processing layer that accesses and integrates multiple data sources including geospatial data, terrain data, and mission criteria. This intermediary system weights and synthesizes the data to produce optimized routes, bridging the gap between available data sources and the specific needs of the ground vehicle mission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual techniques are used for route planning, then flexibility in adapting to mission-specific criteria is maintained, but operational efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission criteria adaptabilityVSAvoidroute planning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system adapts to different mission criteria by dynamically changing the weights assigned to various terrain metrics. Based on vehicle constraints and mission priorities, the processing circuitry adjusts parameter weights to optimize route generation for specific mission requirements such as traversability, speed, or communication range, maintaining flexibility while improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12590816B2Route planning for a ground vehicle through unfamiliar terrain

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 INSITU INC

AI summary

A method is provided for supporting one or more ground vehicles on a mission that includes traversal of a ground region. The method includes accessing geospatial data produced from an aerial survey of the ground region, and performing an analysis of the geospatial data to produce terrain data that describes the ground region. The terrain data is weighted based on constraints of the one or more ground vehicles, and an order of priority of criteria of the mission. A map is constructed in which the ground region is expressed as a geospatially-mapped array of the weighted terrain data, and the map is searched for a path that meets the criteria of the mission. The path is described by a series of waypoints that define a route across the ground region, and an indication of the route is output for the one or more ground vehicles to traverse during the mission.