Autonomous Vehicle Servicing via Marker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle servicing methods are time-consuming and require owners or mechanics to exit the vehicle, often in adverse weather conditions, as they need to identify and perform various services such as refueling and tire maintenance, which can be inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A robotic service station system equipped with a service robot, cameras, and processors that detect markers on vehicles to determine service areas and maintenance conditions, allowing the robot to autonomously perform necessary services based on encoded data without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicle servicing is performed manually by owners or mechanics, then services can be performed on vehicles, but it is time-consuming and requires exiting the vehicle in adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated marker detection and service identification. The camera automatically detects markers on the vehicle, the processor identifies required services based on marker data, and the system guides the owner through servicing without requiring manual inspection or exiting the vehicle in adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical detection system. The camera captures images of markers, the processor analyzes the encoded data to identify service needs, and the system provides automated guidance, substituting the mechanical process of manual vehicle inspection with an automated digital system.
2Loss of information
If manual vehicle inspection is performed to identify services, then necessary services can be determined, but it requires owner or mechanic time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses markers that contain encoded information as a copy or representation of the vehicle's service needs. Instead of manually inspecting the vehicle to gather information, the camera captures an image of the marker which contains pre-encoded service identification data, instantly providing accurate service information without time-consuming manual inspection.
3Ease of operation
If owners exit vehicles to perform services, then services can be performed, but it is inconvenient in adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables owners to perform vehicle servicing from inside the vehicle by automatically detecting markers through the camera and providing guidance through the user interface, eliminating the need to exit the vehicle even in adverse weather conditions while maintaining the ability to identify and perform required services.
Data Source
AI summary
A service robot can detect one or more makers positioned on relative surfaces of a vehicle. Each marker can include data corresponding to its location on the vehicle. The service robot can determine the location of the markers based on the data. The service robot can also determine the location of a service area proximate to the markers. The service robot can receive data generated by the vehicle corresponding to at least one maintenance condition for the vehicle related to the service area. The service robot can select a service to perform on the vehicle based on the at least one maintenance condition. The service robot can be controlled so as to perform the selected service on the vehicle.