Autonomous Robot Route Mapping With Delta-Based Anomaly Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining safe and traversable routes for autonomous vehicles in urban environments are inefficient due to reliance on outdated GIS data, which requires frequent manual re-evaluation and installation of costly sensor systems, and struggle with distinguishing features in satellite imagery.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous delivery vehicle equipped with a sensor array including GPS, sonar, laser, video camera, and other sensors to manually or semi-manually map and re-map safe routes, using delta values to detect changes and trigger alerts or contingency plans, with human intervention when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If GIS data is used for route determination, then navigation capability is provided, but the data becomes outdated and requires frequent manual re-evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-mapping and self-updating of route data using its own sensors and GPS, eliminating the need for manual re-evaluation of GIS data. The vehicle continuously collects and stores environmental data, automatically keeping route information current without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static GIS data to dynamic, real-time environmental data collected by vehicle sensors. This changes the parameter of data freshness from outdated to current, and enables automatic updates without manual re-evaluation cycles.
2Measurement precision
If sensor systems are installed along safe routes to locate and track features, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes expensive and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle's sensor array serves multiple functions: it maps the environment, locates the vehicle, tracks features, and determines safe routes. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated sensor systems installed along routes, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle acts as a mobile intermediary that collects and processes environmental data, replacing the need for fixed sensor infrastructure. The vehicle's sensors and processing capabilities mediate between the environment and the navigation system, providing accurate feature detection without permanent installations.
3Area of stationary object
If satellite imagery is used to identify features, then broad area coverage is achieved, but it is difficult to distinguish features automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces satellite-based optical imaging with active sensing technologies including GPS for positioning, sonar for depth and obstacle detection, and laser rangefinders for precise distance measurement. These technologies provide unambiguous data about environmental features without relying on visual interpretation of satellite imagery.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping process is segmented into multiple specialized sensing functions: GPS for location, sonar for underwater or obscured features, laser for precise ranging, and video for visual confirmation. Each sensor type addresses specific detection challenges, making feature identification easier than with single broad-coverage satellite imagery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, real-time mapping and re-mapping of safe routes, reducing reliance on outdated data and minimizing human intervention costs, while ensuring safe navigation through dynamic urban conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor array includes a GPS, sonar, laser, video camera, and other sensors
Implementation Method 2
The sensor array includes a GPS, sonar, laser, video camera, and other sensors
Implementation Method 3
The sensor array includes a GPS, sonar, laser, video camera, and other sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for mapping safe and traversable routes for robot vehicles comprise using a deviation to create an operating range threshold that is to be included in a stored path and used by a robot vehicle as a threshold for normal operating conditions when the robot vehicle traverses a safe and traversable route. Methods for responding to unsafe conditions detected by a robot vehicle during operations comprise executing a contingency plan when a variance exceeds an operating delta and does not exceed an intervention delta. Methods for responding to anomalous conditions encountered by a robot vehicle comprise contacting a human controller when a variance exceeds an operating delta and an intervention delta.