Surrogate Vehicle Sensors via UAV Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face operational challenges when one of their sensors fails, as they lack the necessary data to operate critical subsystems, particularly in autonomous modes, leading to potential safety issues and the need for immediate sensor repair.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a surrogate sensor that collects and transmits data to the vehicle's computing device via a vehicle-to-vehicle network, allowing the vehicle to operate even with failed sensors and navigate to a repair location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor fails in the vehicle, then the vehicle loses the ability to collect data from that sensor, but deploying a UAV with a surrogate sensor adds system complexity and requires additional coordination infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
A UAV acts as an intermediary carrier for the surrogate sensor, flying between the repair facility and the vehicle to deliver sensor data when the vehicle's own sensor has failed. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliable sensor functionality through an external intermediate system rather than requiring permanent redundant sensors on the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The surrogate sensor is pre-installed on the UAV at the repair facility before the UAV departs to service the vehicle. This preliminary preparation allows the UAV to immediately begin collecting and transmitting sensor data upon reaching the vehicle, minimizing the time the vehicle operates without functional sensing capabilities.
2Productivity
If the vehicle operates with a failed sensor, then the vehicle can continue moving to a repair location, but the vehicle lacks accurate data for safe autonomous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The surrogate sensor on the UAV creates a copy of the failed sensor's functionality by collecting the same type of data (visual, LIDAR, radar, etc.) from the UAV's perspective and transmitting it to the vehicle. This data copying allows the vehicle to maintain autonomous operation with accurate environmental information even though its original sensor is non-functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The surrogate sensor on the UAV collects data from a different spatial dimension (aerial perspective) compared to the vehicle's original sensor (ground-level perspective). This dimensional change provides alternative viewing angles and can compensate for the failed sensor's limitations, maintaining sufficient information for safe autonomous operation while the vehicle travels to repair.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle stops immediately when a sensor fails, then safety is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to unnecessary interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by having the surrogate sensor on the UAV ready to immediately take over data collection when the vehicle's sensor fails. This pre-prepared backup capability cushions the blow of sensor failure, allowing the vehicle to continue operating safely without abrupt stops while the surrogate sensor provides the necessary environmental data.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon detecting a failure in a sensor in a vehicle, a request for a surrogate sensor is sent. Communications are established with an unmanned aerial vehicle carrying the surrogate sensor. A vehicle subsystem is actuated based at least in part on data from the surrogate sensor.