Vehicle Sensor Emission Mapping for Unobstructed Area Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in accurately determining unobstructed areas within their environment to safely navigate, as existing methods may not effectively utilize unobstructed sensor emissions to verify object locations and orientations.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle uses sensor data, including lidar and other sensors, to analyze potential object locations and characteristics, emitting pulses that reflect off objects, and determines unobstructed areas by comparing distances and emission patterns to verify object presence and orientation, generating a heatmap for navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle uses sensor data to determine object locations and characteristics, then navigation safety is improved, but the complexity of the detection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the environment into obstructed and unobstructed areas by analyzing sensor emissions. Each area is independently evaluated based on whether sensor emissions reach it directly or are blocked by objects, allowing complex spatial analysis to be broken down into manageable detection units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensor emissions (lidar, radar, or camera data) as an intermediary to indirectly detect object characteristics. Instead of directly measuring all object properties, the system analyzes how sensor emissions interact with objects (reflection, transmission, blockage) to infer characteristics like orientation, transparency, and material properties
2Reliability
If the vehicle analyzes sensor emissions to determine unobstructed areas, then collision risk is reduced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis by continuously maintaining an updated model of obstructed and unobstructed areas based on sensor emissions. This pre-computed environmental understanding is readily available when navigation decisions are needed, eliminating the need for time-consuming analysis at the moment of decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different analysis methods to different spatial regions. Areas determined to be unobstructed require minimal processing, while areas with potential obstructions receive more detailed analysis. This localized approach focuses computational resources on critical regions, reducing overall processing time while maintaining collision detection accuracy
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
This approach enhances the vehicle's ability to safely navigate by accurately identifying unobstructed areas and object characteristics, reducing the risk of collisions and improving route planning.
Implementation Method 1
sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, the one or more sensor emissions including a first portion that reflected off of the object and a second portion that passed through the object
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining occupancy using unobstructed sensor emissions. For instance, a vehicle may receive sensor data from one or more sensors. The sensor data may represent at least locations to points within an environment. Using the sensor data, the vehicle may determine areas within the environment that are obstructed by objects (e.g., locations where objects are located). The vehicle may also use the sensor data to determine areas within the environment that are unobstructed by objects (e.g., locations where objects are not located). In some examples, the vehicle determines the unobstructed areas as including areas that are between the vehicle and the identified objects. This is because sensor emissions from the sensor(s) passed through these areas and then reflected off of objects located farther distances from the vehicle. The vehicle may then generate a map indicating at least the obstructed areas and the unobstructed areas within the environment.