Vehicle Localization Using Map Feature Change Probabilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle localization systems rely on digital maps that may become outdated, leading to inaccurate vehicle positioning, especially in autonomous driving modes where timely and accurate location information is crucial.

Innovation Solution

The method enhances vehicle localization by assigning attributes such as cycle duration and time of last change to features in the digital map, allowing for probability calculations of changes, which helps identify and address outdated data, thereby increasing localization robustness and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If digital map data is used for vehicle localization, then localization can be achieved by comparing sensor-detected features with map features, but the map data may become outdated leading to inaccurate vehicle positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidmap data currency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring feature change probabilities and detecting outdated map data before it significantly degrades localization accuracy. The probabilistic model predicts when map features may become obsolete, allowing the system to proactively identify and flag outdated data rather than waiting for localization errors to manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously comparing sensor-detected features with map features, calculating change probabilities, and using this information to assess map data currency. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and maintain localization accuracy despite map data aging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If more features are included in localization to improve precision, then localization accuracy increases, but the probability that features are no longer entirely up-to-date increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization precisionVSAvoidfeature currency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning different change probability characteristics to different map features based on their specific properties and environmental contexts. Rather than treating all features uniformly, the system evaluates each feature's likelihood of change individually, allowing high-precision localization using multiple features while accounting for their varying currency through probabilistic assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If digital map data is used for localization, then vehicle positioning can be achieved, but the system cannot quickly detect faulty or outdated maps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization capabilityVSAvoidmap data quality assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by autonomously assessing the quality and currency of its own map data through probabilistic analysis of feature changes. The localization system itself generates the information needed to detect outdated maps, eliminating the need for external validation systems and enabling rapid self-diagnosis of map data quality issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3526546B1Method and system for the localisation of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3526546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526546B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and an associated system for vehicle localisation using a digital map (12). According to the method, the digital map (12) allocates at least one pre-determined attribute (13) to the features (4), said attributes characterising any actual changes (A) to the features (4) that may occur in comparison with the currently present digital map (12). Furthermore, respective probabilities (P) for the changes (A) are determined on the basis of the allocated attributes (13) and the vehicle is localised taking into account the determined probabilities (P).