Autonomous Vehicle Radar Sensing Through Obscuring Vegetation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating through terrain obscured by vegetation, as existing sensors struggle to detect and avoid obstacles hidden by vegetation, leading to potential damage or obstruction.

Innovation Solution

The use of vegetation-penetrating sensors, such as radar and thermal camera imaging, combined with higher-resolution sensors like lidar and RGB imaging, to detect and navigate around obstacles obscured by vegetation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual sensing systems (lidar, RGB imaging) are used to detect obstacles, then detection precision is improved, but the ability to detect obstacles obscured by vegetation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidobstacle detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing systems (visual sensors like lidars and RGB cameras with penetrating sensors like radar and thermal cameras) into an integrated sensing apparatus. This merging allows the system to leverage the high precision of visual sensors for unobscured areas while using penetrating sensors to detect obstacles hidden by vegetation, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection precision and reliability in obscured conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces penetrating sensors (radar, thermal cameras) as intermediary detection means that can operate through vegetation. These sensors act as mediators between the visual sensing system and obscured obstacles, allowing the high-precision visual system to indirectly detect obstacles it cannot directly see by combining data from the penetrating sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single sensing system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect both visible and obscured obstacles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing system complexityVSAvoidobstacle detection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional sensing apparatus where different sensor types serve multiple purposes. Visual sensors (lidar, RGB cameras) provide high-precision detection for unobscured obstacles, while penetrating sensors (radar, thermal cameras) detect obscured obstacles. The system universally handles both visible and hidden obstacles through this diversified sensor configuration, maintaining adaptability while managing complexity through integrated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If physical removal of vegetation is used to clear the path, then obstacle visibility is improved, but the solution is limited and cannot adequately protect the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain visibilityVSAvoidvehicle protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically removing or pushing vegetation with a sensing-based solution. Instead of mechanically clearing the path to improve visibility, the system uses penetrating sensors (radar, thermal cameras) that can detect obstacles through vegetation without physical contact, thereby providing reliable vehicle protection without the limitations of mechanical vegetation removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the ability of autonomous vehicles to safely traverse vegetation-obscured terrain by providing clear obstacle detection and navigation, reducing the risk of collision and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a second sensing system capable of peering through the first visual obstacle and detecting a first navigational obstacle obscured by the first visual obstacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

vegetation-penetrating sensors, such as radar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave penetration: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

thermal camera imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12416492B1Autonomous vehicle sensing through visually obscuring vegetation

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 RENU ROBOTICS CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are solutions for proactively sensing terrain features and obstacles in the path of an autonomous vehicle that may be otherwise visually obscured by vegetation—said proactive sensing providing a view beyond that available to the autonomous vehicle by physically removing or pushing aside said obscuring vegetation—for the purpose of mitigating the risks the autonomous vehicle might otherwise encounter while traversing said terrain that comprises the obscuring vegetation. Accordingly, various implementations disclosed herein are directed to the novel utilization of vegetation-penetrating sensors by an autonomous vehicle to assist it in peering through such vegetation to identify navigational obstacles that are otherwise obscured by said vegetation.