Remote Vehicle Route Extension via Operator Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles often encounter situations where they arrive at a destination but are unable to reach the defined end point due to obstacles or inaccessible areas, limiting their utility and efficiency in transportation networks.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows remote operation of vehicles by receiving assistance requests, generating map displays and sensor data, and transmitting instruction data to extend the vehicle's route to an alternative end point at the destination, using a processor and memory to facilitate communication and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous vehicles operate with predefined routes and end points, then navigation efficiency is improved, but the ability to handle inaccessible destinations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A remote support system acts as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle and the operator. The system receives sensor data from the vehicle, generates map displays showing the vehicle's location and surrounding environment, and transmits operator instructions back to the vehicle. This intermediary system enables the vehicle to reach inaccessible destinations by allowing human operators to provide real-time guidance when predefined routes are insufficient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote support systems are implemented, then adaptability to inaccessible destinations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote support system is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, generating map displays, transmitting instructions to the vehicle, and handling communication protocols. By creating a universal remote support platform that can assist any autonomous vehicle regardless of the specific obstacle or destination type, the system manages complexity through standardized multi-functional architecture rather than requiring specialized systems for each scenario.
3Reliability
If real-time communication between vehicle and operator is enabled, then ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but communication requirements and system resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and processes only the essential information needed for obstacle resolution. It selectively receives specific sensor data from the vehicle, generates map displays focusing on relevant geographical features and vehicle position, and transmits only necessary instructional data back to the vehicle. This extraction approach reduces communication bandwidth requirements and system resource consumption while maintaining reliable obstacle-overcoming capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for remote support of autonomous operation of a vehicle includes a processor that is configured to perform a method including receiving, from a vehicle traversing a driving route from a start point to an end point at a destination, an assistance request signal identifying an inability of the vehicle at the destination to reach the end point, generating a first map display including a representation of a geographical area and the vehicle within the geographical area, receiving, from the vehicle, sensor data from one or more sensing devices of the vehicle, generating a remote support interface including the first map display and the sensor data, and transmitting instruction data to the vehicle that includes an alternative end point at the destination responsive to an input signal provided to the remote support interface.