Vehicle-Connected UAV Pose Tracking for Undercarriage Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide clear visual information about vehicle surroundings, particularly the undercarriage, while navigating challenging terrain, risking damage to the vehicle and potential injury to passengers or bystanders.
Innovation Solution
A UAV control system that operates in conjunction with a vehicle to capture images of the vehicle's exterior based on its pose, allowing for precise positioning and orientation of the UAV to provide clear views of vulnerable areas like the undercarriage, using sensors and machine learning algorithms to navigate obstacles and adjust flight parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a UAV is used to capture images of the vehicle exterior, then visual information about vehicle surroundings is obtained, but the UAV positioning and orientation precision is insufficient to capture clear images of vulnerable areas like the undercarriage
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives real-time data from vehicle sensors (GPS, IMU, odometry) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust UAV positioning and orientation commands, ensuring the UAV maintains precise alignment with the target vehicle feature despite movements or environmental disturbances
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV control system integrates multiple functions including autonomous navigation, real-time pose estimation, dynamic trajectory adjustment, and coordinated camera control within a single integrated platform, allowing the system to handle various vehicle types and target features through a unified control architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV positions itself to capture images of the vehicle, then visual feedback is provided, but the system cannot adapt to vehicle pose changes in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously tracks vehicle pose changes through real-time sensor data fusion and maintains uninterrupted UAV positioning and orientation adjustments, ensuring continuous adaptive tracking of the vehicle without interruption or delay in response to pose changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates optimal UAV trajectories and orientation adjustments based on predicted vehicle pose changes, allowing the UAV to proactively position itself for upcoming capture opportunities rather than reactively responding after pose changes occur
3Ease of operation
If the UAV captures images without considering vehicle pose, then image capture is simplified, but clear visual information of the target feature cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV control system automatically determines optimal positioning and orientation commands based on real-time vehicle pose data without requiring manual intervention, and autonomously adjusts camera parameters to ensure the target vehicle feature remains centered and properly framed in captured images
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to capturing images of a vehicle from a vehicle-connected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on the pose of the vehicle. A method includes receiving a selection of a predetermined position around the vehicle for the UAV operatively connected to the vehicle. The method also includes positioning the UAV at the predetermined position to capture images of a target feature of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a pose of the vehicle and orienting the UAV relative to the vehicle based on the pose of the vehicle. The method also includes setting an operating parameter of a camera of the UAV based on the pose of the vehicle.