LiDAR-Assisted Ship Docking with Preparatory Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic docking devices face accuracy issues in measuring distance to a docking position from a long distance, affecting the precision of ship maneuvering during automatic docking.
Innovation Solution
An automatic docking device equipped with an optical sensor, such as LiDAR, that performs preparatory measurements by adjusting the ship's orientation and position to ensure accurate distance measurement, combined with satellite positioning and image recognition for obstacle detection and route generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a distance sensor is used to measure distance from a long distance, then the measurement range is extended, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preparatory measurements by adjusting the ship's orientation and position before the actual docking measurement. This preliminary action of repositioning the ship allows the optical sensor to achieve accurate measurements at longer distances by optimizing the geometric relationship between the sensor and the target object.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the ship's orientation and position based on real-time measurement data. By making the measurement process dynamic rather than static, the system can maintain high measurement precision across varying distances by continuously optimizing the sensor-target geometry through ship maneuvering.
2Measurement precision
If the ship is repositioned to optimize measurement conditions, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time required for docking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preparatory measurements and repositioning actions before the critical docking phase. By completing orientation adjustments and preliminary measurements in advance, the system ensures that when the actual docking maneuver begins, all measurement conditions are already optimized, preventing time loss during the critical docking sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from preliminary measurements to determine optimal ship positioning. The measurement results guide subsequent repositioning actions, creating an efficient closed-loop process that minimizes unnecessary maneuvers and reduces the time required to achieve precise measurement conditions.
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
Enables precise and efficient automatic navigation and docking by accurately measuring distances and detecting obstacles, improving the accuracy and reliability of the docking process.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and receives, at the light receiving part, light from the light emitting part reflected by an object, to thereby measure a distance to a surrounding object
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR included in this automatic docking device measures the distance to a surrounding object at each predetermined angle by irradiating the object with light and receiving the light reflected by the object. When a ship offshore is instructed to perform automatic docking, the ship navigates to some extent by automatic navigation based on satellite positioning, and is then switched to automatic navigation based on the LiDAR. Before switching to the automatic navigation based on the LiDAR, the LiDAR performs preparatory measurement for measuring the distance to an object around a docking position. In this preparatory measurement, a control unit controls to change, for example, the orientation of the ship such that light emitted from the LiDAR can be reflected by the object around the docking position and can be received by the LiDAR.