Intersection Complexity Assessment for Autonomous Driving Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating complex intersections due to varying traffic conditions, turning possibilities, pedestrian crossings, and traffic flow patterns, which existing systems struggle to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

An intersection navigation system that determines a complexity value for intersections, allowing for adaptive control of vehicle steering, braking, and acceleration, and can selectively disable autonomous driving in favor of manual or remote control when complexity exceeds predetermined thresholds, adjusting sensor fusion and route planning accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If autonomous driving systems navigate complex intersections using existing control methods, then the vehicle can maintain automated operation, but the system reliability and safety decrease due to inability to effectively handle varying traffic conditions, turning possibilities, pedestrian crossings, and traffic flow patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation safetyVSAvoidintersection complexity adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts autonomous driving behavior based on real-time intersection complexity assessment. The complexity assessment module continuously evaluates intersection characteristics and modifies control strategies accordingly, transitioning between different operational modes (autonomous vs. manual/remote) based on assessed complexity levels, thereby adapting to varying traffic conditions and intersection types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the level of automation based on intersection complexity. When complexity exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system transitions from fully autonomous operation to manual or remote control modes. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliability by recognizing its limitations in handling highly complex intersections while preserving adaptability through flexible mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the system disables autonomous driving for complex intersections, then safety improves, but productivity and efficiency decrease due to reduced automated operation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidautonomous driving efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial automation selectively rather than universally. Instead of maintaining full autonomous operation in all conditions, the system applies autonomous control only to intersections within its capability thresholds, while transitioning to manual/remote control for complex intersections. This partial application of autonomous driving preserves safety while maintaining efficiency for suitable intersections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the complexity assessment module to dynamically determine when to switch between autonomous and manual/remote control modes. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from intersection complexity evaluations and adjust its operational strategy, maintaining safety by disabling autonomous mode when complexity thresholds are exceeded while preserving productivity by keeping autonomous mode active for manageable intersections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system maintains full autonomous operation for all intersections, then productivity is maintained, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring complex traffic conditions increases beyond system capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation continuityVSAvoidintersection complexity assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the decision-making process into distinct modules: a complexity assessment module that evaluates intersection characteristics and a control module that executes appropriate actions. This segmentation allows the system to handle complexity assessment separately from autonomous control execution, making the overall system more manageable and capable of handling diverse intersection types by processing complexity information through dedicated assessment algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11453417B2Automated driving control systems and methods based on intersection complexity

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An intersection navigation system includes: a complexity module configured to determine a complexity value for an intersection of two or more roads, where the complexity value for the intersection corresponds to a level of complexity for a vehicle to navigate the intersection during autonomous driving; and a driving control module configured to: during autonomous driving of a vehicle, control at least one of: steering of the vehicle; braking of the vehicle; and acceleration of the vehicle; and based on the complexity value of the intersection, selectively adjust at least one aspect of the autonomous driving.