Splash Condition Detection for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face reduced operational performance due to environmental conditions interfering with sensors, particularly in situations where a splash condition is present and another object is passing, potentially leading to reduced visibility and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect a splash condition and an object passing nearby, allowing for the presentation of warnings to occupants and adjusting vehicle distance from other objects to mitigate splash effects, thereby enhancing safety and operational performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle operates in autonomous mode with sensors to detect environmental information, then the vehicle can navigate with reduced or no driver input, but environmental conditions such as splash conditions can interfere with sensor operation and reduce operational performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of splash conditions and passing objects before they significantly impact sensor performance. By detecting the splash condition and identifying passing vehicles in advance, the system can prepare mitigation actions (such as adjusting vehicle position or activating warnings) before the splash reaches the sensors, thereby maintaining reliable sensor operation throughout the autonomous navigation process
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection and warning mechanism between the environmental splash condition and the sensors. The splash condition detection system acts as an intermediary that identifies harmful environmental conditions and triggers protective responses (warnings to occupants, distance adjustments) before the splash directly interferes with sensor function, thus protecting the reliability of the autonomous navigation system
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle maintains a fixed distance from other objects, then the vehicle operation is simple and stable, but in splash conditions with passing objects, the fixed distance may expose the vehicle to splash impact and reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed-distance approach to a dynamic distance adjustment mechanism. When a splash condition is detected and a passing object is identified, the system dynamically modifies the vehicle's distance from other objects by adjusting the distance to the forward and/or rearward objects, thereby adapting the vehicle positioning to avoid splash impact while maintaining operational stability
3Device complexity
If no warning system is implemented, then the vehicle system is simpler, but occupants are not alerted to splash conditions that may affect safety and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection of splash conditions and passing objects triggers a warning response to occupants. The system continuously monitors the environment, provides feedback about detected hazards (splash conditions with passing vehicles), and elicits occupant awareness or action, thereby creating a closed-loop safety system that addresses visibility and safety concerns
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements relate to the operation of a vehicle, which can be an autonomous vehicle. A splash condition in a surrounding environment of the vehicle can be detected. An object near the vehicle can be detected. Further, it can be determined whether the detected object is passing the vehicle. Responsive to detecting a splash condition and determining that the object is passing the vehicle, a warning can be presented to an occupant of the vehicle.