Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining clear sensor fields of view due to weather conditions like ice, snow, and humidity, which can degrade the performance of sensors such as Lidar, image, and radar sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect obstructions using sensors, retrieve real-time weather data, estimate obstruction features, propose cleaning plans based on this data and user input, and execute selected cleaning plans to ensure clear sensor views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning systems are activated to remove obstructions from sensors, then sensor field of view clarity is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the sensor's own performance data and weather information to automatically determine when cleaning is needed, eliminating the need for manual monitoring or complex external control systems. The processing circuitry autonomously evaluates obstruction likelihood and triggers cleaning only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively retrieves weather data and estimates obstruction features before actual obstructions significantly degrade sensor performance. By predicting potential obstructions based on weather conditions, the system can initiate cleaning plans in advance, preventing performance degradation rather than reacting to it.
2Measurement precision
If real-time weather data retrieval and obstruction estimation are implemented, then cleaning plan accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system retrieves and processes only the specific weather data parameters relevant to obstruction formation (temperature, precipitation, humidity) rather than comprehensive weather information. This selective data processing maintains estimation accuracy while minimizing processing time and computational overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cleaning plans are proposed based on user input and weather data, then user satisfaction and system adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically generates cleaning plans by combining weather data, sensor obstruction estimates, and user preferences. The processing circuitry adapts the cleaning plan parameters (timing, method, intensity) based on real-time conditions and user input, providing customized solutions without requiring a fixed complex menu structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for cleaning obstructions for the sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes: detecting, via a sensor, obstructions that block the field of views for the sensors; retrieving real-time weather data outside the autonomous vehicle; estimating, based on the real-time weather data, the features of the obstructions; proposing, based on the estimation of the features of the obstructions and, one or more cleaning plans; querying, via a user interface, a selection by a user regarding the proposed cleaning plans; and executing, via a cleaning system for the sensors of the autonomous vehicle, the proposed cleaning plan selected by the user. User interaction may be vehicle-driven or user-driven.