Self-Driving Vehicle Navigation Mode Switching for Dynamic Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-driving vehicles face challenges in navigating environments with dynamic conditions, such as changes in guiding infrastructure and pedestrian traffic, requiring adaptive navigation modes and accurate localization to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a vehicle processor to monitor trigger conditions, adjust navigation modes between fixed path and free form operations, and update electronic maps based on sensor data, while also utilizing pre-defined zones for adjusting vehicle attributes like speed and detection range to accommodate varying traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle operates in free form mode with high detection range to handle dynamic conditions, then safety and adaptability improve, but energy consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the detection range based on the navigation mode. In fixed path mode, the detection range is reduced since the path is predetermined and safer. In free form mode, the detection range is increased to handle dynamic conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing energy consumption while maintaining safety requirements for each specific operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection range parameter according to the navigation mode. When switching from free form mode to fixed path mode, the system reduces the detection range parameter, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate safety levels appropriate for the more predictable fixed path operation.
2Productivity
If the vehicle increases travelling speed to improve productivity, then output increases, but safety and detection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts travelling speed based on the navigation mode. In fixed path mode, the vehicle can travel at higher speeds because the predetermined path is safer and more predictable. In free form mode, the speed is reduced to allow for better detection and response to dynamic obstacles. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing productivity while maintaining safety appropriate for each operation mode.
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle follows guiding infrastructure in fixed path mode to improve navigation accuracy, then position precision improves, but adaptability to dynamic conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both fixed path mode (for high precision navigation along predetermined routes) and free form mode (for adaptive navigation in dynamic conditions). The system can switch between these modes based on environmental conditions, thereby achieving both high position precision when applicable and adaptability when needed, resolving the contradiction through multi-functionality.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle decreases detection range to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but safety and obstacle detection capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The detection range is dynamically adjusted based on the navigation mode rather than maintaining a fixed high detection range at all times. In fixed path mode, the detection range is decreased to improve energy efficiency, while in free form mode, the detection range is increased to ensure safety. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by achieving energy efficiency when possible while maintaining safety when required.
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for operating one or more self-driving vehicles. In some embodiments, the self-driving vehicles may include a vehicle processor being operable to: control the vehicle to navigate an operating environment in an initial vehicle navigation mode; monitor for one or more trigger conditions indicating a possible change for the vehicle navigation mode; detect a trigger condition; determine a prospective vehicle navigation mode associated with the detected trigger condition; determine whether to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode; and in response to determining to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, adjust one or more vehicle attributes corresponding to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, otherwise continue to operate the vehicle in the initial vehicle navigation mode.