Safe Drivable Area Control Under Dynamic Sensor Coverage Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining safe operation under varying environmental conditions due to limitations in sensor performance and perception algorithms, which can lead to reduced effective sensor coverage and increased risk of accidents, especially in adverse weather or obstructed environments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method dynamically adjusts the effective sensor coverage area by using high-definition maps and multiple sensors to verify object locations, ensuring that critical objects are within the sensor's range, and implements a fail-operational navigation system to safely operate the vehicle by modifying navigation inputs based on safety monitors and sensor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If AI/machine learning technologies are used to process sensor data, then the autonomous system can perceive the surrounding environment, but the system is slow and does not adapt readily to real-time changes in environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of sensor coverage areas based on real-time environmental conditions. The system continuously monitors environmental factors (weather, lighting, obstacles) and adapts sensor coverage dynamically rather than using fixed AI models, enabling real-time response to changing conditions while maintaining perception accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously processed to update environmental condition assessments, which then feed back into adjusting sensor coverage and navigation decisions. This closed-loop feedback enables rapid adaptation without requiring complete reprocessing by slow AI/machine learning systems.
2Reliability
If redundant automated driving systems are designed to accomplish fail-operational, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full redundant automated driving systems, the patent applies partial redundancy by focusing specifically on sensor coverage verification and environmental monitoring functions. This selective approach provides fail-operational capability for critical safety functions without duplicating the entire complex automated driving system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary environmental condition monitoring system that acts as a mediator between sensors and the automated driving system. This intermediary layer provides safety verification and fail-operational monitoring without requiring full system redundancy, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If sensor coverage is expanded to monitor all areas around the vehicle, then safety monitoring improves, but the system cannot adapt to sensor limitations under adverse environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor coverage areas based on real-time environmental conditions and sensor performance verification. Rather than maintaining fixed maximum coverage, the system adapts coverage boundaries to match actual sensor capabilities under current conditions, ensuring reliable monitoring where sensors work effectively while acknowledging limitations in adverse environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by verifying sensor coverage on a localized basis rather than uniformly across all areas. The system identifies and monitors specific critical zones where sensor performance is verified, allowing high-quality safety monitoring in reliable areas while adapting to limitations in other areas affected by environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically adjusting effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor used to assist in navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) in response to environmental conditions that may affect the ideal operation of the sensor. An ADV includes a navigation system and a safety monitor system that monitors some, or all, of the navigation system, including monitoring: dynamic adjustment of effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor and localization of the ADV within a high-definition map. The ADV safety monitor system further determines safety-critical objects surrounding the ADV, determines safe areas to navigate the ADV, and ensures that the ADV navigates only to safe areas. An automated system performance monitor determines whether to pass-through ADV navigation control commands, limit one or more control commands, or perform a fail-operational behavior, based on the ADV safety monitor systems.