Roadside Sensor Network for Autonomous Navigation in Severe Weather
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle navigation systems are inefficient and prone to failure under severe weather and luminous conditions, as they rely on pre-mapped data that is costly to maintain and update, and existing technologies struggle to provide real-time road information in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of strategically placed sensor devices on autonomous vehicles that transmit discovery signals to active road devices, processing and communicating road information in real-time to the autonomous control system or 3D map navigation database, enabling accurate navigation through the conversion of passive signage to active devices powered by solar or batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pre-mapped road network systems are used for autonomous vehicle navigation, then detailed road information can be obtained, but the system becomes inefficient and impractical when continual changes occur on roadways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having autonomous vehicles proactively send discovery signals to roadside devices before reaching them, allowing road information to be obtained in advance. This enables the system to prepare navigation decisions ahead of time rather than reacting to changes after they occur, resolving the contradiction between information accuracy and navigation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a two-way communication system where roadside devices receive discovery signals from vehicles, provide road information in response, and update vehicles on roadway changes. This real-time feedback loop ensures vehicles have accurate current road information without requiring complete re-mapping, thus maintaining both information accuracy and navigation efficiency
2Measurement precision
If camera or LiDAR systems are used for road mapping, then detailed road network sign information can be captured, but the systems fail under severe weather conditions and certain luminous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system - roadside devices with active electronics - that mediates between the environment and autonomous vehicles. These devices actively transmit or display road information (such as stop signs, traffic conditions) to vehicles, eliminating the need for vehicles to passively detect signs through cameras or LiDAR. This intermediary approach ensures reliable information delivery regardless of weather or lighting conditions, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The roadside devices are self-powered through solar panels and/or batteries, making them self-service units that independently provide navigation information to vehicles. This self-contained design ensures continuous operation under various weather conditions without requiring external power infrastructure, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and reliability in severe environments
3Loss of information
If continuous re-mapping of road networks is performed to accommodate continual changes, then up-to-date road information can be maintained, but the cost and time required become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where roadside devices continuously monitor and detect changes in their environment (such as new road signs, construction zones, or traffic conditions) and automatically transmit this information to autonomous vehicles. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for time-consuming periodic re-mapping operations, as information updates occur dynamically and instantly, resolving the contradiction between information timeliness and time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The roadside devices perform self-service by autonomously detecting environmental changes and generating update information without requiring external re-mapping operations. Each device independently monitors its local area and communicates changes to approaching vehicles, enabling continuous information freshness without the time and resource expenditure of systematic re-mapping
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the guidance of autonomous vehicles and in particular, relates to guiding an autonomous vehicle along a roadway with active devices with a system which works during normal and inclement weather as well as under any luminous conditions. These active devices are embedded in the passive and/or active road details such as traffic signs, traffic lights, warning lights etc. These active devices provide data relating to road conditions, speed, road layout etc. as well as other information such as availability of parking spaces. Accordingly, through networks of sensors and devices the autonomous vehicle can obtain road details in real-time in severe weather conditions such as heavy snowstorm, ice, fog or other inclement weather.