Map Element Certification for Automated Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of vehicle-externally created digital maps for safety-critical automated driving functions is problematic due to potential errors and inaccuracies that can lead to hazardous traffic situations, as these maps may contain errors during creation.
Innovation Solution
A method for certifying map elements by a control unit or server unit, where observation variables from mapping steps are monitored and compared to setpoint values, ensuring accurate map creation through graph modeling and validation, and a certificate is issued only if the map elements meet predefined accuracy and quality standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If digital maps are created vehicle-externally using higher computing power, then processing capability and data volume are improved, but reliability and accuracy deteriorate due to potential errors and inaccuracies in map creation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing comprehensive validation of map elements before they are used in automated driving functions. The control unit checks observation variables (position, orientation, accuracy) against setpoint values and only accepts map elements that meet predefined accuracy standards, thereby preventing erroneous maps from compromising safety while utilizing the computational benefits of external map creation.
2Reliability
If map elements are validated through multiple monitoring steps, then reliability and accuracy are improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the validation process into distinct monitoring steps, each validating specific observation variables (position accuracy, orientation accuracy, etc.) separately. This modular approach makes the complex validation process manageable and systematic, with each step focusing on a specific aspect of map element quality while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors observation variables against setpoint values and adjusts the validation process accordingly. If map elements fail to meet accuracy standards, the system provides feedback to reject them, ensuring that only validated map elements proceed to automated driving functions, thereby maintaining high reliability despite the complexity of the validation process.
3Reliability
If strict accuracy standards are enforced for map elements, then safety and reliability are improved, but productivity and map creation speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing and communicating predefined accuracy standards and setpoint values before the map creation process begins. This allows mapping vehicles to target specific accuracy levels during data collection and processing, enabling efficient validation while maintaining safety-critical accuracy standards, thus balancing productivity with reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for the certification by a control unit of map elements for safety-critical driving functions. At least one observation variable of at least one mapping step of at least one map element is ascertained after an implementation of the mapping step via a monitoring function and is compared with a setpoint value of the observation variable. At least one result value is calculated based on a comparison of the observation variable with the setpoint value of the observation variable for the at least one mapping step via the monitoring function. The at least one result value is stored as a certificate and is linked to the at least one map element. A control unit, a computer program and a machine-readable memory medium are also described.