Mobile Body Path Control Using Split Costmaps for Stable Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Path generation based on costmaps that consider object movement can compromise the safety and comfort of mobile bodies, such as vehicles, due to unstable movement predictions.

Innovation Solution

A control system that generates a first costmap based on detected object positions and a second costmap based on predicted object movements, using these to stabilize path generation and incorporate stopping or deceleration when necessary, while also considering object attributes and lane predictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a path is generated based on a costmap that considers predicted movement of objects, then the path may avoid future collision risks, but the path becomes unstable and compromises safety and comfort due to prediction uncertainties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidpath stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The costmap is segmented into multiple layers: a first costmap layer representing current object positions and a second costmap layer representing predicted future positions. This segmentation allows the path planning system to separately handle static and dynamic cost components, reducing the impact of prediction uncertainties on overall path stability while maintaining collision avoidance capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the weight or influence of the second costmap layer based on prediction confidence levels. When movement predictions are highly uncertain, the system reduces their impact on path generation, thereby maintaining path stability. When predictions are confident, the system leverages them for better collision avoidance, achieving adaptive balance between stability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If movement predictions are reflected onto the costmap to avoid future collisions, then collision risk decreases, but path comfort deteriorates due to frequent path adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidmovement comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary path planning using the first costmap layer (current positions) to establish a stable base path. The second costmap layer (predicted positions) is then used to make incremental adjustments only where necessary, rather than completely re-planning the path. This preliminary action approach maintains comfort by minimizing frequent full path recalculations while still achieving collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies movement prediction adjustments locally only in regions where predicted object movements create potential collision risks, rather than globally adjusting the entire path. This localized adjustment maintains path comfort in stable regions while ensuring safety in dynamic risk zones, reducing unnecessary path fluctuations that would compromise comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4113477B1Control system and control method
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4113477B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4113477B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4113477B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A control system (10) includes an obtainer (11) that obtains sensing data output from a sensor that performs sensing of an outside of a mobile body, a detector (12) that detects a position of an object outside the mobile body based on the sensing data, a movement predictor (13) that predicts a movement of the object based on the sensing data, a costmap generator (14) that generates a first costmap based on the position detected of the object and a second costmap based on the movement predicted of the object, a path generator (15) that generates a path for the mobile body based on the first costmap, a determination generator (16) that generates a movement determination of the mobile body based on the second costmap and the path generated, and a controller (17) that controls the movement of the mobile body in accordance with the path generated and the movement determination.