Autonomous Vehicle Follow Mode Using a Dynamic Activity Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles operating in follow mode face limitations in tracking users with non-linear or unidirectional motion, as existing systems require a rigid tracking relationship that may not be suitable for various tasks or user scenarios.

Innovation Solution

An exterior monitoring system with sensors detects the user's location and activity zone, allowing the vehicle to interactively map and adjust its position to maintain a relative location within a customizable activity zone, enabling the vehicle to reposition autonomously and follow the user episodically, while performing auxiliary functions like path lighting and wireless charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the vehicle continuously adjusts its position to keep the user at the side of the vehicle, then the vehicle can track the user along a linear path, but the vehicle cannot adapt to non-linear or unidirectional user motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidmotion pattern adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the activity zone based on user motion characteristics. The controller monitors user location continuously and modifies the activity zone parameters (position, size, orientation) in real-time to match the user's movement patterns, allowing adaptation from linear to non-linear motion without rigid tracking constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the activity zone (location, dimensions, orientation) based on detected user relocation events. When user motion exceeds a predetermined deviation threshold, the controller updates the activity zone parameters to accommodate the new user position and motion pattern, enabling versatility across different motion types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the vehicle repositions autonomously whenever the user moves outside the activity zone, then the vehicle maintains continuous tracking, but unnecessary vehicle movement occurs during normal user activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser location monitoring accuracyVSAvoidvehicle movement energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system preemptively defines an activity zone around the user's current position before relocation occurs. This zone acts as a buffer that prevents unnecessary vehicle repositioning by accommodating normal user movements within the zone, only triggering vehicle movement when the user genuinely relocates beyond the predetermined deviation threshold

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors user location relative to the activity zone and uses this feedback to determine when repositioning is necessary. By comparing real-time user position data against the activity zone boundaries and deviation thresholds, the system intelligently triggers vehicle movement only when required, reducing energy consumption from unnecessary repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the activity zone is fixed relative to the vehicle, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to various tasks and user scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidtask adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The activity zone is implemented as a dynamic virtual boundary rather than a fixed physical structure. The controller continuously updates the zone's position, size, and orientation based on user location and detected motion patterns, providing task adaptability without adding complex mechanical components to the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds the dimension of virtual spatial definition by creating an activity zone in the monitoring space rather than requiring physical structural changes. This virtual zone can be dynamically adjusted in position, dimensions, and orientation to accommodate various tasks and user scenarios without increasing physical vehicle complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11988525B2Autonomous vehicle with automated following of person outside vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An autonomous vehicle operates in a Follow Mode, wherein an apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle includes an exterior monitoring system comprising at least one sensor to monitor an exterior region and to detect a location of a target user. A controller is configured to A) interactively map an activity zone having a selected expanse in the exterior region relative to the vehicle, B) compare a monitored location of the target user to the activity zone, C) detect a relocation event when the comparison of the monitored location of the target user to the activity zone exceeds a predetermined deviation, and D) send a navigation command in response to detecting the relocation event in order to autonomously reposition the vehicle so that a relative location of the target user is restored to the activity zone.