Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Control at Standstill Crosswalks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous vehicles may fail to identify pedestrians when accelerating from a standstill, leading to potential collisions due to inadequate acceleration rate control.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the acceleration rate of an autonomous vehicle when moving from a standstill, by setting an initial target acceleration rate to an adjusted rate based on specific conditions, including acceleration and speed thresholds, to reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians or other objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the autonomous vehicle accelerates at a rate equal to a human driver, then the productivity and efficiency of the vehicle is improved, but the reliability and safety of the vehicle deteriorates due to potential sensor failure to identify pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the acceleration rate adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between a first acceleration rate (lower, safer) and a second acceleration rate (higher, more efficient) based on real-time sensor detection of pedestrians. This allows the vehicle to adapt its acceleration behavior to changing environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the acceleration rate parameter based on detected conditions. When no pedestrian is detected, the vehicle uses a higher acceleration rate for efficiency. When a pedestrian is detected, the system switches to a lower acceleration rate for safety. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both productivity and reliability under different operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle reduces acceleration rate when moving from standstill, then the reliability and safety is improved by reducing collision possibility, but the productivity and efficiency deteriorates due to slower movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the acceleration rate based on real-time pedestrian detection. The vehicle operates at a lower acceleration rate only when necessary (when pedestrians are detected), and switches to higher acceleration rates when safe to do so. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the reduced acceleration rate conditional rather than constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically monitors the environment and switches between different acceleration rates based on detected conditions. The acceleration rate is adjusted in periodic cycles of monitoring and responding to environmental changes, allowing the vehicle to alternate between safe低速 operation and efficient high-speed operation as conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an acceleration rate of a vehicle includes monitoring a first current speed and a first acceleration rate of the vehicle based on the vehicle moving from a standstill. The method also includes setting an initial target acceleration rate to an adjusted target acceleration rate based on the first acceleration rate satisfying a first acceleration adjustment condition and the first current speed satisfying a second acceleration adjustment condition. The method further includes monitoring a second acceleration rate and a second current acceleration rate of the vehicle based on setting the initial target acceleration rate to the adjusted target acceleration rate. The method still further includes setting the adjusted target acceleration rate to the initial target acceleration rate based on the second acceleration rate satisfying a first target acceleration condition or the second current speed satisfying a second target acceleration condition.