Immersive VR Vehicle Teleoperation Beyond 2D Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating unknown environments or situations safely without direct human control, particularly at higher autonomy levels where remote control systems using 2D visualizations and generic computer components are insufficient for intuitive and natural control.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of virtual reality (VR) technology to generate an immersive virtual environment for remote operators, allowing them to control autonomous vehicles or objects through a VR headset with calibrated control components that mimic the vehicle's controls, enabling more effective navigation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 2D visualization on 2D displays is used for remote control, then device complexity is reduced, but immersion and control safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D display visualizations to immersive virtual reality environments that provide three-dimensional spatial representation. This dimensional change allows remote operators to perceive depth, distance, and spatial relationships more accurately, thereby improving control safety while maintaining reasonable system complexity through software-based VR rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the vehicle's control environment that mirrors the physical controls (steering wheel, pedals, etc.). This virtual replication allows operators to interact with familiar control interfaces in a immersive setting, improving both safety and naturalness of operation without requiring duplicate physical hardware at the remote location.
2Ease of operation
If generic computer components (keyboard, mouse, joystick) are used for control, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and natural control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replicates the vehicle's physical control interface (steering wheel, accelerator, brake pedals) in the virtual environment. This allows the remote operator to use familiar, natural driving controls rather than generic computer peripherals, significantly improving ease of operation and control intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical controls with their virtual equivalents in the VR environment. The virtual steering wheel, pedals, and other controls are rendered visually and interacted with through haptic feedback or motion tracking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while maintaining natural control characteristics.
3Loss of information
If 2D visualization is used, then information presentation is simplified, but immersion and situational awareness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional virtual reality visualization instead of two-dimensional flat displays. This dimensional enhancement provides operators with depth perception, spatial awareness, and a more comprehensive view of the vehicle's environment and control state, reducing information loss while managing complexity through software rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual replica of the vehicle's sensor data and control state that is displayed in an immersive VR environment. This virtual copy presents information in a more intuitive and complete manner, allowing operators to understand spatial relationships and vehicle status better than with 2D displays, without requiring additional physical sensors or hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
In various examples, at least partial control of a vehicle may be transferred to a control system remote from the vehicle. Sensor data may be received from a sensor(s) of the vehicle and the sensor data may be encoded to generate encoded sensor data. The encoded sensor data may be transmitted to the control system for display on a virtual reality headset of the control system. Control data may be received by the vehicle and from the control system that may be representative of a control input(s) from the control system, and actuation by an actuation component(s) of the vehicle may be caused based on the control input.