Remote Waypoint Assistance for Autonomous Vehicles in Extended Obstacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote assistance techniques for autonomous vehicles often require the vehicle to stop, leading to passenger inconvenience and delivery delays, as they typically involve providing a single augmented trajectory that may not suffice for complex or extended obstacles, and operators may struggle to see far enough ahead to provide complete trajectories.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of incremental remote assistance using waypoints, where a computing device receives location information from the vehicle, displays the environment, and allows a remote operator to input and limit waypoints based on the vehicle's location and obstacles, enabling the vehicle to navigate through complex situations without unnecessary stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single augmented trajectory is provided to the vehicle, then the vehicle can receive remote assistance, but the vehicle must stop which causes passenger inconvenience and delivery delays
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory is divided into multiple waypoints instead of providing a single augmented trajectory. Each waypoint represents a discrete navigation target that guides the vehicle through complex obstacles incrementally, allowing continuous motion while receiving remote assistance
Solution Approach 2:
The remote assistance system transitions from static single-trajectory provision to dynamic incremental waypoint updates. Waypoints are provided sequentially as the vehicle progresses, enabling the vehicle to adapt its path in real-time without stopping
2Measurement precision
If operators provide complete trajectories for complex obstacles, then navigation accuracy improves, but operators cannot see far enough ahead to provide complete trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The complete trajectory is segmented into multiple waypoints that extend beyond the operator's visible range. Each waypoint is positioned at a distance the operator can verify, creating a chain of navigable points that collectively form a complete path through obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
Waypoints are pre-positioned at strategic locations beyond current visibility based on map data and environmental representations. This allows the operator to plan ahead incrementally, placing waypoints where they anticipate obstacles or navigation challenges will occur
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle stops to receive remote assistance, then the vehicle can obtain navigation guidance, but passenger experience and delivery efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle maintains continuous motion while receiving incremental waypoint guidance. The system enables uninterrupted navigation through obstacles by providing navigation updates that allow the vehicle to proceed without stopping, maintaining both operational safety and delivery efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to techniques for providing incremental remote assistance to a vehicle. A computing device initially receives location information from a vehicle that is autonomously navigating to a destination. Based on the location information, the computing device displays a representation of an environment of the vehicle and receives a first input specifying a first waypoint and a second input specifying a second waypoint positioned on the representation of the environment. The computing device is configured to limit a location of the first waypoint based on a first location of the vehicle, and a location of the second waypoint based on a second location of the vehicle or the location of the first waypoint. The computing device can then provide route instructions to the vehicle based on at least the first waypoint or the second waypoint.