Vehicle Projector Light Patterns for Moving Door and Ramp Hazards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and partially autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely indicating the movement of objects associated with them, such as doors or ramps, to pedestrians and passengers, as these objects can pose hazards when moving or about to move, especially in environments where attention is diverted from the ground.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a projector system that projects light patterns onto a surface to indicate the future position and state of moving objects, using sensors to determine the object's state and modify the light pattern accordingly, providing advance warning to pedestrians and ensuring safety by projecting the footprint of the object's future position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a projector system is implemented to project light patterns indicating future position of moving objects, then safety and awareness of pedestrians is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projector system performs preliminary action by projecting light patterns that indicate the future position of moving objects before the actual movement occurs. This advance visualization allows pedestrians to anticipate and react to upcoming movements, improving safety without requiring complex real-time tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the object's future position through light patterns projected on the ground. This optical copy conveys essential spatial information about where the object will be, enabling pedestrians to understand potential hazards without directly observing the complex mechanical movement.
2Measurement precision
If light patterns are modified in real-time to match the footprint of moving objects, then accuracy of hazard indication is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the state and position of moving objects and using this information to dynamically modify the projected light patterns. This closed-loop approach ensures the visual indication accurately reflects the actual footprint and future position of objects, improving hazard indication accuracy while distributing measurement requirements across the feedback cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a vehicle and method for projecting a light pattern. The method comprises: projecting a light pattern to match a footprint of an object, wherein the object is associated with a vehicle and is moveable relative to the vehicle, and wherein the footprint is indicative of an area that the object is or will be occupying. The method further comprises modifying the projected light pattern based on a state of the object.