Autonomous Vehicle LIDAR Site Setup for Dynamic Obstacle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The initial setup for autonomous vehicles to navigate and perform tasks on operating sites, such as solar farms, is burdensome and time-consuming due to the need for manual programming and obstacle detection, especially in environments with dynamic obstacles and limited visibility from vegetation growth.
Innovation Solution
Autonomous vehicles are equipped with LIDAR technology to iteratively sense recognizable objects, determine fixed reference locations, and develop operational path plans for navigation, allowing them to traverse and perform tasks efficiently even in dynamic environments with changing obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual programming and deployment of navigational checkpoints devices are used for initial setup, then the autonomous vehicle can navigate the operating site, but the setup process becomes burdensome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-positioning and self-mapping by using its own sensors to detect landmarks and create a map of the operating site, eliminating the need for manual programming and deployment of navigational checkpoints. The vehicle autonomously determines its position relative to detected landmarks and generates a map that can be used for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment of navigational checkpoints with an automated optical/electronic system using LIDAR or camera sensors to detect natural or existing landmarks in the environment. This substitution eliminates the need for physical checkpoint devices and manual programming, significantly reducing setup time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating site has dynamic obstacles that change location or orientation, then the navigation environment becomes more complex, but path development becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path planning that continuously updates the vehicle's position relative to detected landmarks and adjusts the navigation path in real-time. The system can handle dynamic obstacles by re-calculating paths based on current landmark positions and environmental changes, making the navigation system adaptable to dynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle performs preliminary mapping and landmark detection during the initial setup phase, creating a baseline map before actual navigation begins. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to pre-identify potential obstacles and plan initial paths, reducing the complexity of real-time path planning during operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vegetation growth obscures obstacles and hazards, then the operating site benefits from natural ground cover, but visibility problems complicate obstacle detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional sensing capabilities that can detect both natural landmarks (for navigation) and obstacles (for safety). The sensor system is designed to penetrate or work around vegetation cover by detecting various types of landmarks including those partially obscured by vegetation, allowing the vehicle to navigate while maintaining obstacle detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses detected landmarks as intermediary reference points that are not obscured by vegetation. By establishing a navigation system based on these visible landmarks, the vehicle can indirectly detect and navigate around obscured obstacles, using the landmarks as mediators for position determination and path planning.
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 solution enables autonomous vehicles to perform initial site setup and navigation autonomously, reducing setup time and improving efficiency in obstacle-rich environments by using LIDAR for obstacle detection and path planning, ensuring safe and effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing may be performed using light detection and ranging (LIDAR)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are solutions for an autonomous vehicle to perform an initial navigational setup at an operating site by: receiving initial location and orientation data pertaining to the autonomous vehicle; iteratively sensing a plurality of recognizable objects and determining a plurality of fixed reference locations corresponding to each of the plurality of recognizable objects relative to the initial location and orientation data; and developing an operational path plan for the autonomous vehicle to traverse the operating site based on the plurality of fixed reference locations. The autonomous vehicle may be an autonomous mower, the dynamic object may be a solar panel and/or solar panel post, and the sensing may be performed using light detection and ranging (LIDAR).