LIDAR Sensor Periscope Using Reflection for Nearfield Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR sensors in autonomous vehicles often have blind spots, particularly in the ultra nearfield area adjacent to the vehicle, leading to potential safety hazards due to undetected objects.
Innovation Solution
A reflective object, such as a mirror, is appended to the LIDAR sensor to extend its field of view into blind spots by reflecting emitted signals towards undetected areas, allowing the sensor to capture data from these regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a LIDAR sensor is mounted on the autonomous vehicle to detect objects, then object detection capability is improved, but blind spots in the ultra nearfield area remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective object is introduced as an intermediary between the LIDAR sensor and the blind spot area. The reflective object reflects LIDAR signals into the blind spot region and returns reflected signals from objects in that region back to the sensor, enabling indirect detection of areas that would otherwise be invisible to the direct sensor beam path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends detection into a new spatial dimension by using the reflective object to redirect LIDAR beams at different angles. This allows the sensor to cover areas outside its original direct field of view, effectively adding a new detection dimension through optical path manipulation rather than physically moving the sensor.
2Loss of information
If the LIDAR sensor field of view is extended using a reflective object, then blind spot detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective object is implemented as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Rather than using complex mechanical systems or expensive specialized sensors, the invention employs a basic reflective surface that achieves the desired functionality at minimal cost and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces potential complex mechanical scanning systems with a static reflective object. Instead of mechanically moving the LIDAR sensor to cover blind spots, the system uses optical reflection from a fixed reflective surface to redirect beams, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuation mechanisms.
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
Enhances the LIDAR sensor's capability to detect objects in previously blind spots, improving safety and navigation accuracy by ensuring complete environmental awareness.
Implementation Method 1
A reflective object, such as a mirror, is appended to the LIDAR sensor to extend its field of view into blind spots by reflecting emitted signals towards undetected areas
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to autonomous vehicles, and, more specifically, to systems and techniques for extending a sensor's capabilities by extending the field of view into one or more blind spots located in the environment of an autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, a method of the disclosed technology includes: determining a location of a first blind spot that is within range of a LIDAR sensor; positioning the reflective object according to a first pose; triggering the LIDAR sensor to collect sensor data during a scan cycle performed by the LIDAR sensor, wherein at least one portion of a light beam emitted from the LIDAR sensor is reflected off the reflective object at the first pose toward the location of the first blind spot. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.