Off-Road Obstacle Detection and Mapping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS systems do not effectively depict off-road obstacles such as hills, rocks, and streams, which can pose challenges for drivers of off-roading vehicles, as they lack information on obstacle locations and vehicle performance during traversal.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising processors, location sensors, off-road obstacle detection sensors, and a display that determines if a vehicle is off-road, detects obstacles using sensors, generates map indicators for obstacle locations, and records telematics data, with the option to share this information with remote servers or other vehicles for improved navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If GPS map information only depicts road networks, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but off-road obstacles are not detected or displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems (LIDAR, cameras, radar) with existing GPS navigation systems to create an integrated obstacle detection and mapping system. This merging allows the system to maintain the simplicity of standard GPS interfaces while adding comprehensive obstacle detection capabilities through sensor fusion and integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensors that can detect various types of off-road obstacles (rocks, hills, streams, vegetation) and provide multiple outputs including real-time obstacle detection, map updates, and vehicle performance monitoring. This multi-functionality addresses the information loss problem without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection sensors are added to detect off-road obstacles, then obstacle location information is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection system is segmented into multiple specialized sensors (LIDAR for distance measurement, cameras for visual identification, radar for penetration through vegetation), each optimized for specific detection tasks. This segmentation improves detection accuracy for different obstacle types while allowing modular integration that manages overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing systems that fuse data from multiple sensor sources and translate complex sensor outputs into simplified obstacle information. This intermediary processing layer manages the complexity of multiple sensors by consolidating their outputs into unified obstacle detection results that can be easily displayed and interpreted.
3Reliability
If real-time obstacle detection and mapping is implemented, then navigation safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic scanning and detection cycles rather than continuous operation, adjusting the frequency of obstacle detection based on vehicle speed, terrain type, and detected obstacle density. This periodic action maintains navigation safety by regularly updating obstacle information while reducing energy consumption during low-risk periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle detection system dynamically adjusts its operational parameters including scan frequency, sensor activation, and processing intensity based on real-time conditions such as vehicle speed, terrain complexity, and detected obstacle proximity. This dynamic operation optimizes the balance between navigation safety and energy consumption by intensifying detection only when necessary.
4Loss of information
If telematics sensors record vehicle performance data during obstacle traversal, then performance information is available, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the most relevant vehicle performance parameters (suspension compression, engine load, speed changes) during obstacle traversal rather than recording all available telematics data. This extraction approach provides sufficient performance information for analysis while minimizing data processing complexity and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards redundant or low-value performance data during obstacle traversal while retaining critical information that provides insight into vehicle performance and obstacle characteristics. This selective data retention strategy reduces processing complexity while maintaining the essential performance information needed for navigation improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting and mapping off-road obstacles within a vicinity of a vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more location sensors, a display, one or more off-road obstacle detection sensors, and one or more memory modules. The one or more location sensors output a location signal indicative of the location of the vehicle. The display displays map data of the location of the vehicle. The one or more off-road obstacle detection sensors output an obstacle signal indicative of a location of an obstacle. The one or more memory modules store logic that when executed by the one or more processors cause the system to determine whether the vehicle is off-road, detect the obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle in response to determining that the vehicle is off-road, and generate and display a map indicator on the display corresponding to the location of the obstacle.