Multi-LIDAR Configuration for Autonomous Vehicle Blind Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving vehicles, especially larger ones like buses, face challenges in effectively capturing their driving environment due to larger blind spots, which existing LIDAR configurations struggle to cover efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR configuration for autonomous driving vehicles that includes multiple LIDAR devices mounted strategically on the frontend, sides, and rear of the vehicle frame, with specific field of view angles and overlap to minimize blind spots, allowing for comprehensive environmental perception and path planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single LIDAR device is used in conventional positions, then the device complexity is low, but the blind spot coverage is insufficient for larger vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LIDAR detection system into multiple independent LIDAR devices positioned at different locations (frontend, sides, rear) of the vehicle. Each LIDAR device covers a specific zone, and together they provide comprehensive coverage of the entire driving environment, eliminating blind spots that would exist with a single LIDAR device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point LIDAR detection (one dimension/location) to multi-point spatial distribution (three-dimensional arrangement). By positioning LIDAR devices at the frontend, sides, and rear of the vehicle, the system creates a three-dimensional detection network that covers all spatial zones around the vehicle.
2Reliability
If multiple LIDAR devices are added to cover larger vehicles, then the blind spot coverage improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the LIDAR configuration system to perform multiple functions: the same type of LIDAR device is used in multiple positions (frontend, sides, rear), and each device serves both its local detection function and contributes to the overall environmental mapping. This standardized multi-position deployment achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring fundamentally different device types for each location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables comprehensive environmental perception and efficient path planning for autonomous driving vehicles, reducing blind spots and enhancing navigation capabilities, particularly for larger vehicles like buses.
Implementation Method 1
a first LIDAR device mounted on a frontend of the vehicle frame, a second LIDAR device mounted on a left or first side of the vehicle frame, a third LIDAR device mounted on a right or second side of the vehicle frame
Data Source
AI summary
An ADV includes a vehicle frame housing the ADV, a first LIDAR, a second LIDAR, a third LIDAR devices, and an autonomous driving system responsible for autonomously driving the ADV. The first LIDAR device is mounted on a frontend of the vehicle frame. The second LIDAR device is mounted on a first side (e.g., left side) of the vehicle frame and the third LIDAR device is mounted on a second side (e.g., right side) of the vehicle frame. The autonomous driving system includes a perception module and a planning module. The perception module is configured to perceive a driving environment surrounding the ADV at least based on LIDAR data obtained from the first, second, and third LIDAR devices. The planning module is configured to plan a path to drive the ADV based on perception data from the perception module representing the driving environment. The ADV may be an autonomous driving bus.