Unmanned Vehicle Cruising With Real-Time Map Updating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned vehicles in map-less mode lack stability, while those in map-dependent mode are insensitive to environmental changes, leading to inefficient operation and resource wastage due to inability to update maps timely.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method for unmanned vehicle cruising that involves starting a slow cruising function to collect and generate maps using various sensors, determining operating modes based on collected data, and updating map information in real-time through a cloud network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unmanned vehicles operate in map-less mode, then they can adapt to environmental changes, but driving paths are difficult to fully control and stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to environmental changesVSAvoiddriving path control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges map-less mode and map-dependent mode into a unified system. The unmanned vehicle uses sensors to collect real-time environmental data (map-less capability) while simultaneously building and updating maps based on this data (map-dependent capability). This combination allows the vehicle to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining stable, controllable driving paths through generated maps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between map-less and map-dependent operations. The system can transition between modes based on operational needs, environmental conditions, and map completion status. This dynamic approach allows the vehicle to leverage the adaptability of map-less mode when exploring new environments while maintaining the stability of map-dependent mode when operating in known areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If unmanned vehicles operate in map-dependent mode, then driving paths are controllable, but they are not sensitive to changes of information about roads and cannot adapt to surrounding complex environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving path control stabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to environmental changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback loops where sensors constantly collect real-time environmental data during vehicle operation. This data is processed to update maps and detect changes in roads, pedestrians, and other environmental elements. The feedback mechanism ensures the system remains sensitive to environmental changes while maintaining stable control through the map framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary map building and environmental analysis during idle periods before actual operational tasks. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-process environmental information, identify potential changes, and prepare updated maps in advance, making the vehicle more responsive and adaptive during actual working hours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If unmanned vehicles only run during working hours and stop during non-working hours, then operational costs are reduced, but resources are wasted and maps cannot be updated timely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational cost reductionVSAvoidmap update timeliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic slow cruising operations during non-working hours. Instead of complete idle periods, the vehicle performs periodic map updates and environmental scans at reduced speed during off-hours. This periodic action ensures maps remain current and the system stays responsive to environmental changes without requiring continuous full-speed operation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining information freshness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Loss of information

If unmanned vehicles perform slow cruising to collect data and generate maps, then map update timeliness improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap update timelinessVSAvoidenergy consumption during cruising

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing slow cruising only during non-working hours and only in areas where map updates are needed. The vehicle selectively cruises through specific zones rather than continuously scanning entire operational areas, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate map update timeliness for critical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11720118B2Method for unmanned vehicle cruising, unmanned vehicle and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 APOLLO INTELLIGENT DRIVING (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The embodiments provide a method for unmanned vehicle cruising, an unmanned vehicle and a storage medium, the method includes: in a state that a slow cruising function is started, cruising according to a preset cruising mode, and collecting running data through a sensing device, where the running data is data of an environment in which a vehicle locates, collected by the vehicle during a running process; and generating a map based on the collected running data. The embodiments of the present disclosure solve the problem that an unmanned vehicle in the prior art cannot update a map in time and, in particular, cannot develop a more suitable map according to different surrounding environments.