Modular Mapping System for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mapping systems for autonomous vehicles require extensive recalibration and are not easily adaptable to different vehicles, limiting their flexibility and efficiency in generating three-dimensional maps.
Innovation Solution
A modular mapping system comprising a sensor assembly, server rack assembly, encoder assembly, and user interface, designed to be removably coupled to various vehicle components, ensuring precise positioning and efficient data collection without extensive recalibration, utilizing a sensor mount with keying features for precise sensor placement and a server rack assembly for data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are permanently mounted on dedicated mapping vehicles, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to different vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping system is divided into separate modular components: sensor assemblies, server rack assemblies, and encoder assemblies. Each component can be independently mounted on different vehicle types using standardized interfaces, enabling the same sensor package to be segmented and reconfigured across multiple vehicle platforms while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assemblies are designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow them to function on various vehicle types (autonomous vehicles, mapping vehicles, test vehicles). The standardized mounting interfaces and configurable sensor configurations enable a single sensor assembly to serve multiple vehicle platforms without requiring vehicle-specific customization, thus improving adaptability while maintaining data quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sensors are permanently mounted on a specific vehicle, then sensor positioning stability is improved, but recalibration time when changing vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assemblies are pre-configured with standardized mounting interfaces and pre-calibrated positioning systems that can be quickly installed on different vehicles. The encoder assemblies are pre-programmed with vehicle parameters, and the server rack assemblies are pre-configured with data processing pipelines. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment and minimal recalibration time when transitioning between vehicles, as the modular components are designed to work together without extensive reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If dedicated mapping vehicles with fixed sensor mounts are used, then data collection reliability is improved, but system flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular assemblies allow for parameter changes in vehicle configuration while maintaining data collection reliability. The encoder assemblies can be reprogrammed with different vehicle parameters (wheelbase, track width, sensor positions), and the server rack assemblies can be reconfigured to process data from different sensor arrangements. This parameter-based adaptability enables the same hardware to reliably collect data across multiple vehicle types by changing software parameters rather than physical configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology provides solutions for generating three-dimensional maps for use by autonomous vehicles. A system of the disclosed technology may utilize a sensor assembly for supporting a plurality of sensors that is configured to be removably coupled to a roof of a vehicle, a server rack assembly that is configured to be removably coupled within a trunk of the vehicle, an encoder assembly that is configured to be removably coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, and a user interface that is configured to be removably coupled to a dash of the vehicle. The sensor assembly utilizes an integrally formed tubular member for supporting the plurality of sensors such that the sensors are fixed at precise predetermined distances from each other regardless of the type of vehicle used for generating the three-dimensional maps.