Mobile Offload Station for AV Log Data Beyond Nominal Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) face challenges with finite onboard storage capacity, leading to constrained operational ranges and potential data loss when operating outside nominal operating areas, as they generate massive amounts of log data from sensors.
Innovation Solution
Deploy a mobile offload station that travels to AVs operating outside nominal ranges to perform data ingest and offload log data onto a central server, expanding the operational range by providing significantly larger storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If AVs use onboard storage devices to store log data, then data collection capability is improved, but operational range is constrained due to finite storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile offload station is introduced as an intermediary between AVs and central servers. The station travels to AVs operating outside nominal ranges, performs data offloading through direct communication links, and then returns data to central servers, thereby enabling extended operational range without increasing onboard storage capacity of AVs
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves storage capacity from a single-dimension constraint (onboard AV storage) to a multi-dimension system by introducing mobile offload stations that provide external storage resources. This allows AVs to access additional storage capacity dynamically without being constrained by their onboard storage limits
2Adaptability or versatility
If AVs operate outside nominal operating areas, then operational flexibility is improved, but data loss risk increases due to insufficient onboard storage
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile offload station acts as a mediator that enables AVs to maintain data retention reliability while operating outside nominal areas. The station periodically visits AVs to offload accumulated log data, ensuring that even when AVs operate beyond their usual ranges, data is securely transferred before onboard storage is exhausted
3Quantity of substance
If AVs return to central servers frequently to offload data, then storage capacity is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile offload station performs preliminary data offloading actions by visiting AVs before their onboard storage is completely full. This proactive approach allows AVs to continue operations without interruption while ensuring data is transferred in advance, maintaining both storage capacity and operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile offload station intermediates the data transfer process, allowing AVs to offload data on-demand rather than following fixed schedules. This flexible arrangement optimizes operational efficiency by enabling data transfer at convenient times while maintaining adequate storage capacity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a mobile offload station for disconnected terminal operation. For example, the method includes deploying at least one autonomous vehicle (AV) to within a predetermined proximity of a mobile offload station responsive to log data stored on a data storage device onboard the AV exceeding a data storage threshold. The method further includes establishing, by the at least one AV, a data communication link with the mobile offload station responsive to entry into the predetermined proximity. The method further includes transmitting, by the at least one AV, to a storage device onboard the mobile offload station, at least a portion of the log data via the data communication link.