Off-Road AR Navigation Portals for Geolocation Uncertainty

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation systems for off-road driving face challenges in accurately displaying route information due to inaccuracies in satellite-based geolocation data, particularly in terrain without roads, necessitating a robust and adaptive navigation method.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a central computing unit to generate and share a waypoint route based on satellite-based GEO position data, displaying waypoints via portals that adjust their appearance according to an uncertainty factor derived from the accuracy of the data, incorporating surface changes and vehicle settings, and using augmented reality to provide continuous directional guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If satellite-based GEO position data is used for navigation in off-road terrain, then route information can be provided, but inaccuracies in the position data reduce navigation reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute information availabilityVSAvoidnavigation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the portal width based on local uncertainty characteristics. Each portal's width is adjusted according to the uncertainty factor at that specific location, allowing the system to provide locally adapted visual information that reflects the actual data quality at each segment of the route.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the visual parameter (portal width) based on the uncertainty factor derived from GEO position data quality. This allows the navigation system to adapt its display characteristics to the actual reliability of the underlying position data, providing more visual emphasis in areas with higher uncertainty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If standard navigation displays are used, then route waypoints can be shown, but driver awareness of potential inaccuracies is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation display simplicityVSAvoiduncertainty information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual changes (analogous to color changes) by varying the portal width to encode uncertainty information. This provides an intuitive visual cue that communicates data quality without adding complex interfaces, maintaining ease of operation while conveying critical uncertainty information through the display itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If portal width is increased to indicate high uncertainty, then driver awareness is enhanced, but display clutter may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver awarenessVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the visual indication (portal width) specific to each location's uncertainty characteristics rather than applying a uniform display style throughout. This allows driver awareness to be enhanced locally where needed without creating unnecessary display clutter in areas with high data quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4569299B1Method for navigating a vehicle during an off-road journey
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4569299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4569299B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for navigating a vehicle during an off-road journey by means of augmented display, wherein, during driving over terrain, a waypoint route (W) comprising a plurality of waypoints is produced with respect to a route section traveled by a vehicle, at least on the basis of captured satellite-based geolocation data of the vehicle. According to the invention, - the produced waypoint route (W) is transmitted to a central computing unit coupled to the vehicle for data transmission, and is provided to other vehicles and - during subsequent driving on the terrain by another vehicle with activated navigation, the determined waypoint route (W) is displayed by means of successive portals (P) to be driven through by the vehicle, so as to be least partially overlaid on a detected real environment of the vehicle.