Removable LIDAR Pod for Vehicle-Agnostic Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomy-related technologies face challenges in collecting and interpreting environmental data to safely navigate vehicles in complex environments, particularly due to limited sensor diversity and vehicle-specific data collection methods.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-agnostic removable pod equipped with a sensor suite and computing device that collects and time-stamps data from various sensors, including IMU, GPS, and LIDAR, and connects to a vehicle's CAN bus for comprehensive data collection, allowing data aggregation and processing across multiple vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is collected using a single vehicle with fixed sensors, then the data collection system is simple to implement, but the diversity of environmental data measurements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pod is designed as a universal data collection device that can be mounted on any vehicle type. It interfaces with the vehicle's CAN bus through standard protocols and uses a standardized mounting system, allowing the same pod to collect data from diverse vehicles without modification. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different vehicle platforms while maintaining consistent data collection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The data collection system is divided into modular pods that can be independently mounted on different vehicles. Each pod is a self-contained unit with sensors, processing equipment, and power supply. This segmentation allows multiple vehicles to be equipped with identical pods, creating a fleet-wide data collection network that increases data diversity without requiring complex integrated systems in each vehicle.
2Ease of manufacture
If vehicle-specific data collection methods are used, then the data collection is tailored to each vehicle type, but the system complexity and implementation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pod employs universal interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms that work across different vehicle types. The CAN bus interface uses standard protocols that are widely adopted across the automotive industry, allowing the pod to connect to various vehicles without custom wiring or adaptation. This universality enables rapid deployment across diverse vehicle fleets while maintaining vehicle-specific data collection capabilities.
3Loss of information
If multiple sensors are integrated into each vehicle for comprehensive data collection, then the data completeness is improved, but the cost and complexity of equipping each vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors including LIDAR, cameras, IMU, and GPS are integrated into a single consolidated pod unit. This merging of sensors reduces the overall system complexity by providing a unified data collection platform rather than distributing individual sensors across the vehicle. The pod consolidates power supply, data processing, and communication interfaces into one location, simplifying installation while maintaining comprehensive environmental data collection capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle agnostic removable pod can be mounted on a vehicle using one or more legs of a pod mount. The removable pod can collect and time stamp a variety of environmental data as well as vehicle data. For example, environmental data can be collected using a sensor suite which can include an IMU, 3D positioning sensor, one or more cameras, and/or a LIDAR unit. As another example, vehicle data can be collected via a CAN bus attached to the vehicle. Environmental data and/or vehicle data can be time stamped and transmitted to a remote server for further processing by a computing device.