Multi-Level Roadgraph Navigation Across Overpass Warp Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in accurately determining their location and navigating through complex 3D environments, particularly when traveling under overpasses, as they rely on 2D maps and struggle to transition between different levels or 'warp zones' effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a processor to determine the current location and level of a vehicle, accessing roadgraph data to maneuver within identified warp zones, and switching between map levels to accurately navigate through transitions, employing geographic position components and roadgraph data to manage vehicle movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If autonomous vehicles use 2D maps for navigation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the vehicle cannot accurately determine its location when traveling underneath overpasses or in complex 3D environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D map representation to a multi-level 3D roadgraph structure that incorporates vertical dimension information. The roadgraph divides the environment into multiple levels (e.g., ground level, overpass level, underground level) and uses warp zones to represent transitions between these levels, enabling accurate location determination in complex 3D environments while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle uses simple 2D map navigation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vehicle struggles to navigate through complex environments with multiple levels and warp zones
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system segments the complex 3D environment into manageable components: multiple discrete levels, warp zones for transitions, and roadgraph data structures. This segmentation allows the vehicle to handle complex environments systematically while maintaining operational simplicity through modular processing of location data and level transitions.
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle implements multi-level roadgraph data with warp zones, then the location determination precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds vertical dimension information to the navigation structure by implementing multi-level roadgraph data. Each level represents a distinct vertical stratum (ground level, overpasses, underground passages), and warp zones manage transitions between levels. This dimensional enhancement improves location precision without excessive complexity through structured organization of spatial data.
4Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle relies on traditional 2D mapping, then the manufacturing precision of the navigation system is reduced, but the ease of manufacture is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is manufactured with segmented multi-level roadgraph data structures that divide the environment into discrete levels and warp zones. This segmentation approach enables systematic implementation and testing while achieving high navigation accuracy through precise representation of 3D spatial relationships and transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle may access portions of a map to maneuver a roadway. The map may be split into one or more levels that represent different regions in space. For example, an overpass may be represented by one level while the road below the overpass may be on a separate level. A vehicle traveling on a particular level may use map data that is associated with that level. Furthermore, if the vehicle travels through a warp zone, it may transition from the current level to a destination level and thus begin to use map data associated with the destination level.