Mobile Vehicle Support Platform for Portable Sensor Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor calibration methods for autonomous vehicles are inefficient, requiring extensive resources and time, and are often performed in controlled environments, which can introduce inconsistencies and safety concerns, especially when transitioning between different calibration stages.
Innovation Solution
A mobile support platform equipped with a chassis, wheels, lift posts, and a controller that can raise and move a vehicle through a calibration sequence, allowing for more precise and portable calibration in various environments without the need for level ground or permanent installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional controlled environment calibration methods are used, then calibration precision can be maintained, but calibration time and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system transitions from static controlled environments to dynamic in-situ calibration. The vehicle is calibrated in its actual operating environment while moving through various positions and orientations, allowing calibration to occur during normal operations rather than requiring separate dedicated calibration time and facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own sensor array and processing capabilities to perform self-calibration. The multiple sensors on the vehicle calibrate each other by comparing measurements of the same environmental features, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and reducing resource requirements.
2Area of moving object
If multiple sensors of the same type are used to expand field of view, then coverage area increases, but measurement consistency deteriorates due to sensor variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple sensors of the same type by fusing their measurements through the calibration process. The calibration algorithm combines information from all sensors to create a unified, consistent measurement model that accounts for individual sensor characteristics while maintaining overall measurement consistency across the expanded field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process applies sensor-specific correction factors and parameters to each individual sensor while maintaining global consistency. Each sensor's unique characteristics (position, orientation, manufacturing variations) are accounted for through localized calibration parameters that adjust its measurements to match the overall system reference frame.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are exposed to environmental elements during operation, then operational versatility increases, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system continuously monitors sensor measurements and uses feedback to detect and correct environmental impacts. By comparing measurements from multiple sensors observing the same environmental features, the system can identify drift caused by temperature, humidity, or other environmental factors and apply real-time corrections to maintain measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration in controlled conditions before deployment, establishing baseline sensor characteristics. This preliminary calibration creates reference data that helps the system compensate for future environmental variations, allowing sensors to maintain reliability even when exposed to diverse operational conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If permanent calibration installations are used, then calibration stability is improved, but deployment flexibility and portability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system is designed to be universal and self-contained, using the vehicle's own sensors and computing resources to perform calibration. This eliminates the need for permanent external calibration installations, allowing the system to be deployed flexibly in various locations and environments while maintaining calibration stability through its autonomous calibration capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the subject technology relate to a mobile support platform for vehicle sensor calibration. The mobile support platform includes a chassis, lift posts on the chassis configured to interface with one or more lift points on a vehicle and raise the vehicle, and a set of wheels mounted to the chassis configured to carry the vehicle through a calibration sequence.