Autonomous Vehicle Return Routing After User Device Network Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in determining the location of a user device's network loss and navigating back to a previous connection point, especially when the device is taken out of range or disconnected from the vehicle's network, leading to difficulties in tracking the vehicle's location and notifying authorities in case of an occupant's absence.
Innovation Solution
A computer system in the autonomous vehicle detects network disconnections, stores locations, and calculates routes to retrace the vehicle's path to the previous connection point, allowing it to transmit notifications when the device reconnects or when the occupant is determined to be missing, using communication interfaces and sensors to facilitate communication and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle operates without continuous network connection, then the vehicle can function autonomously, but the system cannot detect or respond to network disconnections and occupant safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting network disconnections immediately when they occur and proactively determining the vehicle's location at the time of disconnection. It stores this location data and autonomously navigates back to retrieve the user device, rather than waiting for a reconnection attempt. This preliminary detection and response mechanism ensures occupant safety is monitored continuously even without persistent network connection.
2Loss of information
If the vehicle continuously monitors network connection status, then the system can detect disconnections, but the system cannot determine the vehicle's location at the time of disconnection without additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing autonomous navigation and positioning components for a dual purpose: both for normal autonomous driving operations and for tracking location during network disconnection events. The same sensors, GPS, and navigation systems that enable autonomous vehicle operation are repurposed to determine and record the vehicle's location when network disconnection occurs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated location tracking hardware.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle automatically navigates back to previous location, then the system can retrieve the user device, but the navigation process may conflict with normal autonomous driving operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on the situation. When network disconnection is detected and the user device needs retrieval, the vehicle temporarily shifts from normal autonomous driving operations to a retrieval mission mode. The navigation back to the disconnection location is executed as a dynamic task insertion, where the vehicle calculates optimal routing that considers current traffic conditions and completes the retrieval efficiently before resuming normal operations. This dynamic task management minimizes disruption to overall vehicle productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer is programmed to store a first vehicle location at which a user device is connected to a first network. The computer is further programmed to store a route of a host vehicle from the first vehicle location to a second vehicle location at which the user device cannot connect to the network. The computer is further programmed to move the host vehicle to the first vehicle location in response to the user device not connecting to a second network at a predetermined time.