Autonomous Undercarriage Imaging for On-Site Vehicle Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle inspection methods are labor-intensive and costly, requiring manual processes that involve moving vehicles to inspection bays and using specialized equipment, leading to increased costs and delays.
Innovation Solution
The use of remotely-controlled or autonomously operated inspection devices, such as drones or ground vehicles equipped with imaging units, to capture and analyze imaging data for identifying vehicle damages and defects, allowing for on-site inspections without the need for physical relocation or specialized machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection processes are used, then inspection accuracy can be maintained through human judgment, but labor costs and inspection time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated inspection device that uses sensors, cameras, and image processing algorithms to detect vehicle damages and defects. The system captures images of the vehicle exterior and uses computer vision technology to automatically identify dents, scratches, and other damages, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection while maintaining high accuracy and significantly reducing inspection time.
2Measurement precision
If specialized inspection equipment and vehicle relocation are used, then comprehensive inspection coverage is achieved, but equipment costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device is designed as a multi-functional portable system that can perform comprehensive vehicle inspections without requiring specialized fixed equipment or vehicle relocation. The device includes multiple sensors and cameras that can inspect various parts of the vehicle exterior, and it can be deployed at different locations (dealerships, repair shops, customer premises) to provide universal inspection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the inspection functionality from fixed, specialized inspection bays and equipment, creating a portable self-contained inspection device. This extracted system includes all necessary sensors, processors, and power sources in one unit that can be moved to the vehicle location, eliminating the need for complex fixed infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage.
3Loss of information
If manual damage identification is performed, then detailed assessment can be made, but labor costs and potential for human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual damage assessment with automated image processing and analysis algorithms that objectively identify and characterize vehicle damages. The device captures high-resolution images and uses computer vision to detect, classify, and measure damages such as dents, scratches, and panel misalignments, providing consistent accurate results without human error or fatigue while reducing labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device incorporates feedback mechanisms where the captured images are immediately processed and analyzed, providing real-time damage identification results. The system compares detected features against known damage patterns and provides feedback on damage severity and location, enabling immediate assessment without manual intervention and ensuring consistent accurate evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely-controlled (RC) and/or autonomously operated inspection device, such as a ground vehicle or drone, may capture one or more sets of imaging data indicative of at least a portion of an automotive vehicle, such as all or a portion of the undercarriage. The one or more sets of imaging data may be analyzed based upon data indicative of at least one of vehicle damage or a vehicle defect being shown in the one or more sets of imaging data. Based upon the analyzing of the one or more sets of imaging data, damage to the vehicle or a defect of the vehicle may be identified and corrected.