Vehicle Road Hazard Detection via Fleet Data Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In developing countries, road fatalities are high due to poorly maintained roads with limited signage and data collection, leading to hazards for drivers, particularly in varying conditions like rain, where road aberrations such as potholes and speed bumps become hidden dangers, and existing systems have limited success in addressing these issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that aggregates sensor data from multiple vehicles to determine the probable geo-location and recommended action for road aberrations, communicating this information to vehicles to adjust operations, alert drivers, or make physical changes, such as altering the suspension system, and updating digital maps with vehicle-type dependent recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor data from multiple vehicles is aggregated to determine probable geo-location and recommended actions for road aberrations, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensor data from multiple vehicles to aggregate information about road aberrations. By merging data sources, the system achieves more accurate geo-location determination and recommended actions while distributing the data collection burden across the vehicle fleet rather than requiring complex onboard systems in each individual vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal data aggregation platform that serves multiple vehicles and multiple road aberration detection purposes. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to benefit all participating vehicles, reducing individual device complexity while improving overall measurement precision through collective data pooling.
2Reliability
If real-time communication of road aberration information is provided to vehicles, then driver safety and response time improve, but use of energy and communication infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and aggregation of road aberration data before communicating to vehicles. By pre-processing and storing aberration information in a database, the system enables efficient real-time communication without requiring continuous high-energy data transmission, thus improving driver safety while managing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous real-time data streaming, the system creates copies of aggregated road aberration information and distributes them to vehicles as needed. This approach reduces communication energy requirements while maintaining reliable safety information availability for drivers encountering road hazards.
3Ease of operation
If vehicle operations are automatically adjusted in response to road aberrations, then vehicle controllability and safety improve, but device complexity and control system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables vehicles to automatically adjust their operations in response to detected road aberrations without requiring complex centralized control. Each vehicle independently processes received aberration information and self-adjusts its operation, simplifying the control system architecture while improving ease of operation and vehicle controllability on poor road surfaces.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive sensor data collection from multiple vehicles is implemented, then data accuracy and road condition understanding improve, but loss of privacy and data security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary road condition information from comprehensive sensor data while leaving out personally identifiable information. By selectively extracting road aberration data without collecting unnecessary personal data, the system achieves complete road condition understanding while minimizing privacy risks and data security concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to methods and systems for assisting drivers, automated driver systems, and other vehicle operators with detection, avoidance, and mitigation of the hazards posed by aberrations in roadways. The invention provides complete or partial relief to vehicles traveling on roadways in a variety of conditions.