Probabilistic Free Space Mapping for Predicted Road Occupancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current free space maps in autonomous driving systems lack information on predicted future occupancy of regions by road users, leading to late and aggressive interventions instead of early, comfortable reactions, as they do not account for uncertainties and predicted behaviors.

Innovation Solution

A probabilistic free space map is created by retrieving static and dynamic objects, predicting their trajectories, and merging them with confidence and uncertain regions, using sensor data fusion and Bayesian networks to anticipate future occupancy probabilities, allowing for anticipatory and comfortable driving maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current free space maps are used that only show current state occupancy, then the system is simple and fast, but the system cannot anticipate future road user behaviors leading to late emergency interventions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of drivingVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs trajectory predictions for multiple dynamic objects simultaneously, calculating probable future positions and confidence regions in advance. This preliminary action allows the driving function to plan ahead and execute gentle early reactions instead of waiting for certain collision risks, thereby improving safety while maintaining timely responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The free space map transitions from a static representation of current occupancy to a dynamic probabilistic model that continuously updates predicted trajectories and confidence regions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing road user behaviors and anticipate future states, enabling earlier and more comfortable driving interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If probabilistic predictions with confidence regions are calculated for all dynamic objects, then early and comfortable reactions become possible, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of drivingVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly processing all dynamic objects with the same level of detail, the system applies different prediction complexities based on local conditions. Objects closer to the ego vehicle or in critical positions receive more detailed trajectory predictions and confidence region calculations, while distant or less critical objects use simplified models. This local differentiation maintains comfort through adequate prediction where needed while reducing overall computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts prediction parameters such as prediction horizon, number of trajectory samples, and confidence region granularity based on the current driving situation. In calm traffic conditions, fewer predictions are performed with coarser resolution, while in complex or critical situations, the system increases prediction detail. This parameter adaptation enables comfortable driving when needed while managing computational resources efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11820404B2Method for creating a probabilistic free space map with static and dynamic objects
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
  • US11820404B2 patent drawing
  • US11820404B2 patent drawing
  • US11820404B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for creating a probabilistic free space map with static (2a, 2b, 3) and dynamic objects (V1-V7), having the following steps:retrieving (S1) static objects (2a, 2b, 3) as well as a perception area polygon (WP) from an existing environment model;collecting (S2) predicted trajectories (T1, T2) of dynamic objects (V1-V7);merging (S3) the static objects (2a, 2b, 3) of the perception area polygon (WP) and the predicted trajectories (T1, T2) in a first free space map;fixing (S4) a maximum prediction time;fixing (S5) prediction time steps;fixing (S6) a current prediction time and setting this current prediction time to the value 0 in order to fix the start of a fixed prediction time period;fixing (S7) confidence regions (K) around the static (2a, 2b, 3) and dynamic objects (V1-V7);fixing (S8) at least one uncertain region (U) around at least one static (2a, 2b, 3) or dynamic object (V1-V7);producing (S9) a first probabilistic free space map for the current prediction time;producing (S10) at least one further free space map for at least one prediction time step;evaluating (S11) the produced free space maps.