Autonomous Trailer Signaling for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles, particularly large trucks, obscure the field of view for non-autonomous vehicles, leading to reduced visibility and distrust, necessitating improved communication of operational intentions.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors on the autonomous vehicle generates data about road conditions, processes it, and displays messages on a trailer's signaling display to inform surrounding vehicles of intended actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an autonomous vehicle uses a large size (truck), then it can transport more goods, but it obscures the field of view for non-autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual signaling systems (lights, displays, cameras) as intermediaries to communicate the autonomous vehicle's intentions to surrounding non-autonomous vehicles. These signaling devices act as mediators that bridge the information gap created by the autonomous vehicle's size and lack of human driver visibility, allowing other drivers to anticipate the autonomous vehicle's actions despite the visual obstruction.
2Extent of automation
If an autonomous vehicle operates without human intervention, then automation level increases, but non-autonomous drivers distrust its operational intentions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the autonomous vehicle continuously monitors its environment using sensors and cameras, processes this information, and communicates its perceived conditions and intended actions to surrounding vehicles through visual signaling systems. This closed-loop feedback system allows non-autonomous drivers to understand the autonomous vehicle's decision-making process, thereby building trust despite the lack of human driver visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays the autonomous vehicle's intended actions in advance before executing them. By showing upcoming maneuvers (such as lane changes, turns, or stops) through visual signaling before the actual actions occur, non-autonomous drivers have time to anticipate and react appropriately, reducing uncertainty and building trust in the autonomous system's predictability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the autonomous vehicle's size is reduced, then visibility for surrounding vehicles improves, but cargo capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the functions of cargo transport and intention communication by attaching independent visual signaling systems to the trailer portion of the autonomous vehicle. This segmentation allows the main vehicle body to maintain its large cargo-carrying capacity while the trailer-mounted signaling devices provide visibility and communication functions that would otherwise require modifications to the vehicle's primary structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for signaling intent of an autonomous vehicles. The system is comprised of a memory storing executable instructions representing a signaling display module on a trailer of an autonomous vehicle. The system also comprises a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the signaling display module. The processor is configured to receive data from an autonomy computing system descriptive of a condition near the autonomous vehicle, process the data to generate a message relating to the condition indicating a remedial action of the autonomous vehicle in response to the condition, and transmit the message to a signaling display on the trailer prior to executing the remedial action.