Autonomous Vehicle Path Optimization for Passenger Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle systems lack an efficient method to generate a smooth and optimized target path that accounts for road boundaries and obstacles, leading to potentially jarring vehicle movements that reduce passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a target path for a vehicle by using a cost function to optimize smoothness, length, and proximity to road boundaries, while avoiding obstacles, utilizing a processor and vehicle control device to iteratively refine the path within defined constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a target path is generated for autonomous vehicle navigation, then the vehicle can travel between locations autonomously, but the path may be jarring or uncomfortable for passengers if not optimized for smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes path parameters including smoothness, length, and proximity to road boundaries by adjusting cost function weights and constraints. The system iteratively refines path coordinates to minimize curvature changes and ensure comfortable acceleration profiles, transforming a basic navigation path into a passenger-comfort-optimized trajectory
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the target path based on real-time vehicle state and environmental constraints. The cost function continuously evaluates and optimizes path smoothness metrics, allowing the navigation system to adapt path characteristics for comfort while maintaining autonomous operation
2Reliability
If the vehicle avoids all obstacles and stays within road boundaries, then safety is improved, but the path length and travel time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial avoidance by defining constrained zones around obstacles rather than complete exclusion. The cost function penalizes paths too close to boundaries or obstacles, but allows optimal proximity that minimizes detour while ensuring safety margins are maintained, achieving balance between safety and efficiency
3Reliability
If the target path follows the center of the road, then visibility and safety are improved, but the path length increases compared to hugging the boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the lateral position parameter by adjusting the weight of the center-proximity cost function component. This allows the path to deviate from exact centerline when beneficial for length, while maintaining sufficient visibility and safety margins through constraint-based optimization
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating a target path for a vehicle and controlling the movement of the vehicle includes a processor and a control system in communication with the processor. The control system is configured to control the movement of the vehicle. The processor is configured to determine a target path, determine a cost of the target path using a cost function, wherein the cost function utilizes a criteria that comprises a smoothness of the target path, determine a constraint that the target path is allowed to exist within, and optimize the target path for the vehicle by reducing the cost of the target path using the cost function and the constraint in which the target path is allowed to exist within.