Multi-Orientation Vehicle Localization for Lateral Lane Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle localization systems face challenges in accurately determining the lateral position of a vehicle relative to the roadway, especially when forward-facing sensors fail or are degraded due to external conditions or technical issues, leading to errors in lane detection and vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing multiple sensor arrangements oriented differently to the primary sensor arrangement, allowing for the determination of the vehicle's lateral position using additional sensor information when primary sensor data is interrupted, and providing outputs for vehicle control or human-machine interface feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If forward-facing sensors are used to detect lane markings and localise the host vehicle, then lateral localisation accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to sensor failure and external conditions such as faded lane markings or sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the orientation parameter of sensor arrangements to overcome limitations. When forward-facing sensors are degraded or failed, the control system switches to using sensor arrangements at different orientations (side-facing, rear-facing) to determine lateral position, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving measurement precision through parameter variation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional spatial dimensions by deploying sensor arrangements at multiple orientations rather than relying solely on forward-facing sensors. This multi-dimensional sensing approach allows the system to determine lateral position from alternative geometric perspectives when the primary sensing dimension is compromised
2Reliability
If estimation from past data is used when forward-facing sensors fail, then lateral position can still be determined, but time delay is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having alternative sensor arrangements already in place and operational before primary sensor failure occurs. These additional sensors continuously gather data from different orientations, so when forward-facing sensors fail, the system can immediately switch to using the pre-collected data from alternative orientations without time delay
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining active sensing from multiple orientations simultaneously. Rather than switching to historical estimates that introduce delays, the system continuously receives and processes sensor information from alternative orientations, ensuring uninterrupted and real-time lateral position determination
3Ease of operation
If the host vehicle follows the path of the preceding vehicle, then lateral position can be maintained, but errors from the preceding vehicle's control are propagated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor arrangements at different orientations as intermediaries to independently determine lateral position. Rather than directly copying the preceding vehicle's path, the alternative sensors provide independent measurement data that serves as an intermediary reference, allowing the host vehicle to maintain lateral position accuracy without propagating control errors from the preceding vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system for a host vehicle, vehicle comprising the control system and a method for estimating a lateral position of a host vehicle. The host vehicle comprises a first sensor arrangement disposed at a first orientation relative to the host vehicle and at least one additional sensor arrangement, each additional sensor arrangement being disposed at an orientation relative to the host vehicle that is different to the first orientation. First sensor information is received from the first sensor arrangement and additional sensor information is received from each additional sensor arrangement. A lateral position of the vehicle relative to a roadway is determined using the additional sensor information if all or part of the first sensor information is interrupted and an output is provided in dependence on the determined lateral position.