Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Motor Speed Control for Landmark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments with limited natural landmarks, existing autonomous localization methods for driverless vehicles often fail to detect landmarks reliably, leading to vehicle standstill and navigation interruption due to insufficient measurement data density and movement-related detection gaps.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a map of the environment, defining a predetermined route, and actively controlling the sensor motor's speed and direction to ensure detection of landmarks in critical regions by increasing measurement data density, particularly by accelerating the sensor motor when few landmarks are present, and reducing scanning intensity in areas with no information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle moves along the pre-determined route at normal speed, then productivity is improved, but in regions with few landmarks the sensor may pass landmarks without detecting them leading to vehicle standstill
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on the landmark density in different environment regions. In regions with few landmarks, the sensor motor rotates faster to increase measurement data density and ensure landmark detection. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain both productivity and reliability contextually.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational speed parameter of the sensor motor is changed according to the environmental characteristics. By modifying this parameter in regions with sparse landmarks, the system ensures sufficient measurement data density for reliable detection without affecting overall navigation efficiency in well-marked regions.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor scans the environment continuously at high speed, then measurement data density is improved, but time consumption increases and regions may not be fully detected due to vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor scanning intensity is made non-uniform across different environment regions. In regions with few landmarks, the sensor rotates faster to capture more measurement data. In regions with sufficient landmarks, normal scanning speed is maintained. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying high measurement precision only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor performs excessive scanning (faster rotation) only in specific regions where landmarks are sparse, rather than uniformly across all regions. This partial application of excessive action ensures detection reliability in critical areas while minimizing time loss in well-marked areas.
3Reliability
If the sensor motor speed is increased in regions with few landmarks, then landmark detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor motor operates at high speed only in local regions where landmarks are sparse, rather than maintaining high speed throughout the entire navigation route. This localized high-energy operation ensures detection reliability only where necessary, minimizing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive sensor motor speed (and thus excessive energy consumption) only partially in regions where it is strictly necessary for reliable detection. In regions with sufficient landmarks, normal operating speed and energy consumption are maintained.
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
This approach ensures reliable detection of landmarks in regions with few natural landmarks, preventing vehicle standstill and maintaining navigation by optimizing measurement data density and reducing unnecessary measurements, thus minimizing positional uncertainty and ensuring continuous vehicle localization.
Implementation Method 1
using a range-measuring sensor (22) arranged on the vehicle, the measurement direction or measurement plane of which can be changed by controlling at least one sensor motor (24)
Data Source
AI summary
A range-measuring sensor is arranged on a vehicle. The direction of measurement or plane of measurement of the sensor can be altered by driving a sensor motor. A map of the environment is produced by using natural landmarks. A predetermined route along which the vehicle is intended to move is stipulated. Landmarks which can serve as a localization aid along the predetermined route are determined. The environment is scanned at different times by using the sensor in order to detect the previously determined landmarks while the vehicle is moving along the predetermined route. The vehicle is localized by comparing the detected landmarks with the landmarks recorded on the map. The sensor motor is actively controlled, at least in areas of the environment with only a few previously determined landmarks, such that the sensor is oriented to these landmarks in order to ensure that they are detected.