Remote Vehicle Positioning via Footprint Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely navigating situations that require pulling over or reversing to avoid obstacles or create space, especially in emergency situations, as existing systems lack precision and efficiency in identifying and executing safe maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A remote assistance system that communicates with vehicles to identify and specify safe pull-over or reverse locations, using graphical user interfaces to select valid footprints with x, y coordinates and pose information, allowing vehicles to accurately position themselves and plan paths to execute these maneuvers autonomously or with user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles use existing navigation systems to identify pull-over or reverse locations, then the vehicles can navigate basic situations, but the systems lack precision and efficiency in identifying safe maneuver locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote operator as an intermediary who receives vehicle sensor data, determines safe locations using a graphical user interface, and communicates instructions back to the vehicle. This intermediary human element enhances precision in identifying safe maneuver locations while managing the complexity through a dedicated assistance system rather than requiring full autonomous decision-making capability.
2Productivity
If vehicles execute maneuvers without precise positioning, then the maneuvers can be completed, but repositioning is required reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by determining the precise target footprint and location before the vehicle executes the maneuver. The remote operator identifies the exact safe location and communicates positioning instructions in advance, allowing the vehicle to position itself correctly on the first attempt rather than requiring corrective repositioning operations after the maneuver.
3Measurement precision
If remote assistance systems provide detailed positioning instructions, then vehicles can position accurately at safe locations, but the system requires more instructions and communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a graphical user interface that displays a visual copy or representation of the environment with the target footprint marked. The remote operator interacts with this graphical copy to determine precise positioning, which then translates to actual vehicle positioning instructions. This copying approach simplifies the communication by providing visual rather than purely numerical instructions.
4Reliability
If vehicles request remote assistance for emergency situations, then safety is improved, but the response time may be delayed due to communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by having the remote operator continuously monitor vehicle sensor data and environment information while the vehicle is navigating toward the determined target footprint. This continuous monitoring and readiness to provide additional instructions ensures safety without requiring complete interruption of the maneuver for communication exchanges.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for requesting remote assistance from a vehicle are discussed. The techniques include receiving, from a remote computing device, coordinates of a footprint in which the vehicle is capable of stopping. The techniques further include receiving, from the remote computing device, a target orientation associated with the footprint. The techniques may determine a path to the footprint based to achieve target orientation associated with the footprint.