Local Vector Map Updates for Low-Latency AV Road Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) face challenges in efficiently updating their digital maps to reflect small but significant changes in road conditions, such as the installation of a stop sign, which are not substantial enough to warrant a full map update, yet critical for safe navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a cloud computing service to transmit targeted map updates to AVs based on vehicle identification, allowing incremental and real-time or scheduled overlays of map changes, leveraging on-board sensors for additional data, and prioritizing updates for efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full map updates are generated and pushed to AVs, then map accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the map update process by dividing the geographic area into multiple map zones and generating updates only for specific zones where changes have occurred, rather than generating a complete full-map update. This allows selective transmission of only necessary map portion data to AVs, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining accuracy for affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different update frequencies and detail levels to different AVs based on their specific locations and the changes in their local map zones. AVs in areas with significant changes receive updated map portions, while AVs in unchanged areas continue using existing maps, optimizing resource usage while maintaining necessary accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If full map updates are generated and pushed to AVs, then map accuracy is improved, but processing costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments map updates into discrete map zone portions that can be independently processed and transmitted. This allows parallel processing of multiple zone updates and enables AVs to process only the specific map portions relevant to their operational areas, significantly improving update efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by generating and transmitting only the necessary portion of map updates rather than complete full-map updates. The system determines the minimum required update scope based on detected changes, processing and transmitting only those specific map zone portions that contain relevant changes, thereby improving productivity while maintaining necessary accuracy.
3Reliability
If frequent map updates are transmitted to AVs, then map currency is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through scheduled map update transmissions combined with change-detection triggers. Map updates are transmitted periodically or when specific changes are detected in map zones, allowing the system to maintain map currency while avoiding unnecessary frequent transmissions of unchanged map data, thus reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides differentiated update frequencies to different AVs based on their locations and the currency needs of their respective map zones. AVs in areas with frequent changes receive more frequent updates, while AVs in stable areas receive updates less frequently, optimizing the balance between map currency and bandwidth usage across the fleet.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product aspects for enabling providing map updates to an autonomous vehicle (AV). The system can has four features that can (1) provide live map updates, (2) provide a mechanism to optimize map updates, (3) utilize AV sensors to provide local map updates and integrate into the broader map update system, and (4) provide a mechanism to provide low latency updates.