Hybrid Autonomous Vehicle Simulation for Real Hardware Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional simulation systems struggle to accurately simulate the performance of autonomous vehicle hardware, particularly for complex systems like semi-trailer trucks, leading to potential failures in real-world scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid simulation system that tests autonomous vehicles in real-world conditions using a vehicle simulation computer to execute pre-configured scenarios, integrating actual vehicle operations with simulated environments, allowing both software and hardware testing on real vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional simulation systems are used to test autonomous vehicle hardware, then testing can be performed in controlled environments, but the simulation accuracy for complex systems like semi-trailer trucks deteriorates leading to potential failures in real-world scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines virtual simulation environments with real physical autonomous vehicles to create a hybrid testing system. The vehicle simulation computer executes pre-configured scenarios that integrate both virtual simulated objects and the actual physical vehicle, allowing accurate simulation of complex hardware systems while maintaining real-world testing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle simulation computer acts as an intermediary between the virtual simulation environment and the real autonomous vehicle. It receives sensor data from the physical vehicle, processes it through virtual scenarios with simulated objects, and generates control signals back to the vehicle, enabling accurate simulation of complex systems without requiring full physical replicas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-configured scenarios are executed on actual autonomous vehicles in real-world test facilities, then both software and hardware can be tested simultaneously, but the complexity of coordinating vehicle operations with simulation parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle simulation computer is designed to perform multiple functions: executing pre-configured scenarios, generating simulated objects, processing real sensor data from the autonomous vehicle, and providing control signals. This multi-functional approach enables both software and hardware testing within a single integrated system without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the autonomous vehicle operates at specific operative conditions during simulation, then accurate performance testing can be performed, but the difficulty of maintaining precise operating conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the autonomous vehicle's operating conditions through sensor data and provides feedback to the vehicle simulation computer. The computer compares actual operating conditions with required conditions and adjusts control signals accordingly, enabling precise maintenance of operating conditions during simulation while automatically detecting and correcting deviations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for performing hybrid simulation operations with an autonomous vehicle. A method of testing autonomous vehicle operations includes receiving, by a computer, a pre-configured scenario that includes one or more simulation parameters and one or more initial condition parameters, sending, to the autonomous vehicle and based on the one or more initial condition parameters, control signals that instruct the autonomous vehicle to operate at an operative condition, and in response to determining that the autonomous vehicle is operating at the operative condition, performing a simulation with the one or more simulated objects and the autonomous vehicle to test a response of the autonomous vehicle.