Hidden Markov Model Road User Behavior Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing approaches for predicting road user behavior in automated driving systems face a trade-off between accuracy and resource requirements, often requiring high computational complexity and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a hidden Markov model with two hidden states to predict road user behavior, where the model provides hypotheses and characterizes features such as distance from the traffic lane center and orientation deviation, allowing for efficient prediction with reduced resource requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If artificial intelligence and neural networks are used for predicting road user behavior, then prediction accuracy is improved, but resource requirements and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prediction task is segmented into multiple hypotheses, each representing a possible behavior scenario. Instead of using a single complex neural network to predict all behaviors, the system divides the problem into separate hypothesis evaluations, where each hypothesis is assessed independently using simplified models. This segmentation reduces the computational burden of each individual prediction task while maintaining overall prediction accuracy through the combination of multiple hypotheses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of model complexity by using hidden Markov models with a limited number of states instead of full neural networks for the actual prediction calculations. By parameterizing the behavior prediction through a small set of discrete states and transition probabilities, the system achieves reasonable prediction accuracy with significantly reduced computational requirements compared to continuous neural network approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If artificial intelligence and neural networks are used for predicting road user behavior, then prediction accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The prediction system is segmented into hypothesis generation and hypothesis evaluation components. Each hypothesis is evaluated using computationally lightweight hidden Markov models rather than resource-intensive neural networks. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple behavior scenarios in parallel with minimal resource consumption per scenario, reducing overall energy and computational resource usage while maintaining comprehensive prediction coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simplified, disposable hypothesis models that can be quickly created and discarded. Each hypothesis represents a temporary, low-cost prediction model that is evaluated and then replaced as new data becomes available. This approach avoids the high resource cost of maintaining and updating complex neural networks, using instead lightweight models that consume minimal computational resources and can be rapidly regenerated based on changing traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS20230169373A1Predicting a Behavior of a Road User
Publication Date: 2023.06.01 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • US20230169373A1 patent drawing
  • US20230169373A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A device and method predict a behavior of a road user. The device is configured to provide at least one hypothesis for the behavior of the road user, to provide, for each hypothesis, a hidden Markov model, the hidden Markov model including, for the particular hypothesis, two hidden states, with one of these hidden states representing the road user following the hypothesis and the other of these states representing the road user not following the hypothesis, and possible observations of the hidden Markov model characterizing, for the particular hypothesis, at least one feature of the road user, and to predict the behavior of the road user depending on the hidden states of the hidden Markov model for the at least one hypothesis.