Lidar Vehicle Length Estimation Using Front Wheel Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the length of a vehicle driving in front of an ego-vehicle are inaccurate due to reliance on side mirrors, which are not consistently mounted close to the front or rear sides, leading to significant uncertainty in length determination.
Innovation Solution
A lidar system on the ego-vehicle is used to detect distances to a front wheel or underbody component and the rear end of the vehicle, calculating the vehicle's length by subtracting these distances and potentially adding an offset value, improving accuracy by considering the vehicle's type and mounting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If side mirrors are used to estimate vehicle length, then the estimation can be performed, but the measurement precision is poor due to inconsistent mounting positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical detection method (side cameras detecting side mirrors) with a lidar-based detection system. The lidar system uses laser pulses to directly measure distances to the vehicle's rear end and reference components (front wheel or underbody), eliminating the need to detect side mirrors and their inconsistent mounting positions. This substitution of detection methodology resolves the measurement precision issue while maintaining system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If side cameras are used to detect vehicle length, then the detection can be performed in side-by-side scenarios, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the vehicle is driving in front
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal length estimation method that works across different driving scenarios (side-by-side and front-following) by using a lidar system capable of detecting both the rear end and reference components (front wheel or underbody) in any scenario. This multi-functional approach eliminates the scenario-specific limitations of side cameras while maintaining consistent measurement precision across all situations.
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 method provides a more accurate estimation of the vehicle's length, reducing uncertainty and enabling safer and more efficient automatic driving maneuvers, such as overtaking, by leveraging the lidar system's ability to detect road-level components.
Implementation Method 1
a lidar system of the ego-vehicle to detect a distance between the ego-vehicle and a reference component of the vehicle... by means of at least one computing unit
Implementation Method 2
a lidar system of the ego-vehicle to detect a distance between the ego-vehicle and a reference component of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
According to a method for estimating a length of a vehicle (1) driving in front of an ego-vehicle (8), a sensor dataset is generated by means of a lidar system (11) of the ego-vehicle (8), wherein the vehicle (1) is within a field of view (10) of the lidar system (11). A first distance (X0) between the ego-vehicle (8) and a rear end (2) of the vehicle (1) is determined depending on the sensor dataset. A second distance (X3) between the ego-vehicle (8) and a reference component, which is at least a part of a front wheel (5) of the vehicle (1) or an outer part of an underbody (6) of the vehicle (1), is determined depending on the sensor dataset, and the length of the vehicle (1) is estimated depending on the first distance (X0) and the second distance (X3).