Obstacle Map Updates for Autonomous Pile Driving Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current earthwork operations, such as pile driving, are costly and labor-intensive due to the need for manual operation of heavy equipment, leading to increased project durations and risks of human error, and are limited by a shortage of skilled labor, restricting operations to daytime hours.
Innovation Solution
Autonomous off-road vehicles (AOVs) are employed to access pile plan maps, navigate to installation locations, load and drive piles autonomously, and perform quality control, reducing the reliance on manual labor and minimizing errors through autonomous navigation, obstacle mapping, and sensor-driven quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operators are used to operate heavy equipment, then the operation can be performed with current technology, but the cost increases and project duration extends
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous off-road vehicle performs pile driving operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle autonomously navigates to pile locations, operates the pile driver, and returns to the storage area for replenishment, eliminating the need for manual operators and significantly reducing project duration
Solution Approach 2:
Piles are pre-stored in the autonomous vehicle's storage area before deployment. The vehicle loads piles in advance and can immediately begin driving operations upon reaching the site, eliminating waiting time for material delivery and accelerating the overall operation
2Reliability
If manual operators are required, then operation control is simple, but the risk of human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle incorporates sensors and detection devices that continuously monitor the pile driving process, vehicle position, and operational parameters. This feedback system enables real-time adjustments and ensures precise operation while maintaining detailed records for quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an autonomous control system that integrates sensors, processors, and automated actuators. This substitution eliminates human error while managing complexity through modular system design and standardized interfaces
3Productivity
If skilled labor is limited, then current operations can continue, but operation hours are restricted to daytime
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle independently performs all pile driving operations without human operators, enabling continuous operation during day and night. The vehicle autonomously navigates, operates equipment, and manages its own replenishment cycle, eliminating labor constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's storage area is pre-loaded with multiple piles before deployment, allowing the vehicle to perform multiple driving cycles autonomously without external intervention. This preliminary preparation enables extended operation periods and reduces the need for frequent human replenishment
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous off-road vehicle (AOV) accesses a pile plan map indicating a plurality of locations within a geographic area at which piles are to be installed. The AOV generates an obstacle map indicating locations of obstacles within the geographic area. The AOV autonomously navigates to a first location of the plurality of locations using the pile plan map. In response to driving a pile into the ground at the first location, the AOV modifies the obstacle map to include a representation of the pile at the first location. The AOV autonomously navigates to a second location of the plurality of locations using the pile plan map. In response to driving a pile into ground at the second location, the AOV modifies the obstacle map that includes the representation of the pile at the first location to further include a representation of the pile at the second location.