Road Merge Detection Using Map Data for ADAS Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle collision prevention systems at road merges are inadequate for vehicles without vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems, necessitating a solution that can reliably detect road merges and adjust vehicle speed to prevent collisions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using map data to identify road connections and lane configurations, combined with sensor data to detect road merges and generate control commands for deceleration, implemented in an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems are used to coordinate traffic at road merges, then collision prevention capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision prevention capabilityVSAvoidcommunication system requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces map data as an intermediary that mediates between vehicles and the road merge environment. Instead of requiring direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the system uses pre-stored map data containing road geometry and lane configuration information to detect road merges and guide vehicle behavior, thereby eliminating the need for complex communication systems while maintaining collision prevention capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables vehicles to self-detect road merges and self-regulate their speed based on map data without requiring external communication or coordination with other vehicles. Each vehicle independently processes map data to identify upcoming merges and adjusts its speed accordingly, making the system accessible to all vehicles regardless of communication equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems are deployed for road merge coordination, then safety at merge points is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to equipment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety at road merge pointsVSAvoidequipment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the road merge detection system universal by using map data that can be accessed by any vehicle regardless of its communication capabilities. The map data serves multiple functions: providing road geometry information, identifying merge locations, and enabling speed regulation guidance, making the system broadly applicable to all vehicles without requiring specialized communication equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4644836A1Method for detecting a road merge, method for controlling a vehicle, and advanced driver assistance system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 AUMOVIO AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
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  • EP4644836A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for detecting a road merge includes identifying a road connection connecting a current segment and one or more next segment ahead of the current segment, based on map data. The method further includes determining number of lanes in the current segment based on the map data, determining whether the one or more next segment comprises only one next segment based on the map data and determining number of lanes in the next segment based on the map data, upon determining that the one or more next segment comprises only one next segment. The method further includes detecting a road merge at the road connection based on determining that the number of lanes in the next segment is less than the number of lanes in the current segment.