In-Cabin Command Module for Autonomous Fleet Disturbance Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in autonomously mitigating disturbance conditions, such as a plugged seed tube, which can disrupt their operation, and existing remote control systems are limited by the need for extensive sensor data and increased costs with more sensors, while also being less effective due to remote operation limitations.
Innovation Solution
A control system is implemented where a command module is located within one of the autonomous vehicles, allowing for direct monitoring and control of both vehicles, enabling operators to manually intervene and supplement sensor data with visual perception, reducing the need for extensive sensor arrays and improving operational efficiency by dynamically adjusting the command module's location based on the operator's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If remote control systems use extensive sensor arrays to monitor autonomous vehicles, then monitoring capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A camera positioned in the operator's cabin serves as an intermediary device to monitor autonomous vehicles. Instead of equipping each vehicle with extensive sensor arrays, the camera captures video feeds that are processed by image processing algorithms to extract operational data, thereby reducing hardware costs while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical sensor arrays on vehicles with an optical system (camera) located in the cabin. The camera system uses image processing and computer vision techniques to substitute for traditional mechanical sensors, reducing the need for multiple expensive sensor devices while achieving comparable or superior monitoring capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If operators remotely control autonomous vehicles from a distance, then operator safety is improved, but response time to disturbance conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system acts as an intermediary that extends the operator's sensory capabilities to the autonomous vehicles. The video feed and processed images allow the operator to perceive vehicle conditions and disturbance events in real-time, enabling rapid response without physical proximity to the vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces physical presence with optical and computational systems. High-resolution cameras and image processing algorithms substitute for the operator's physical senses, allowing remote detection and response to disturbance conditions with minimal time delay while maintaining operator safety.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment describes a control system in an automation system including a first portion located at a first vehicle, which includes a first autonomous module that autonomously controls operation of the first vehicle to perform operations in a first area based at least in part on a first target operation result while the first portion is in an autonomous mode; and a second portion located at a second vehicle, in which the second portion includes a second autonomous module that autonomously controls operation of the second vehicle to perform operations in a second area based at least in part on a second target operation result while the second portion is in the autonomous mode and a first command module that determines the first target operation result and the second target operation result based at least in part on a global plan that indicates a total target operation result.