Proactive Roadside Assistance via Mobile Sensor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roadside assistance systems struggle to distinguish between urgent and non-urgent vehicle stop situations, often requiring user input which can be difficult and dangerous, especially in unfamiliar areas, and rely on specialized hardware that limits accessibility and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a mobile device to collect location, road type, and ambient noise data, employing machine learning algorithms to determine if roadside assistance is needed, and proactively contacts the user or alerts others if assistance is required, without the need for dedicated vehicle hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional roadside assistance systems are used, then roadside assistance can be provided, but the system cannot distinguish between urgent and non-urgent situations and requires user input which is difficult and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects roadside events and determines whether they are urgent or non-urgent without requiring user input. The mobile device autonomously monitors vehicle operations, detects stops, analyzes ambient noise, and initiates appropriate responses, making the system self-serve the user's needs for roadside assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual user input with automated sensor-based detection. Instead of requiring users to manually report issues, the system uses mobile device sensors (microphone for ambient noise, GPS for location, accelerometer for vehicle motion) to automatically detect and classify roadside events, substituting mechanical/user interaction with electronic sensing and processing.
2Reliability
If specialized vehicle hardware is used for roadside assistance, then assistance can be provided, but accessibility is limited and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mobile device that serves multiple functions: it acts as a roadside assistance detector, a communication device, and a processing unit. By leveraging the multi-functionality of existing mobile devices, the system eliminates the need for specialized single-purpose hardware, thereby increasing accessibility while maintaining reliable roadside assistance provision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring specialized hardware installed in each vehicle, the patent uses the mobile device's existing sensors and processing capabilities to replicate the functionality of dedicated roadside assistance systems. The mobile device copies the necessary detection and communication functions, making the system accessible to any vehicle owner with a smartphone without requiring additional hardware installation.
3Loss of time
If conventional systems are used, then roadside assistance is available, but response time is delayed due to lack of proactive detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle operations and detects roadside events as they occur, before the driver realizes they need assistance. By performing preliminary detection and automatically initiating the assistance process, the system eliminates delays associated with manual recognition and reporting, providing faster response times through proactive intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes continuous feedback loops where mobile device sensors monitor vehicle status and environmental conditions in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to immediately detect when a roadside event occurs and automatically respond, eliminating the time loss associated with conventional systems that wait for user initiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, and/or ambient noise. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.