Autonomous Vehicle Shape Shifting via Modular Object Integration
Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-road vehicles are not versatile enough to perform multiple tasks autonomously, such as carrying passengers and delivering packages, as they are designed for specific functions and lack the ability to dynamically alter their functionality in response to changing demands.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows an on-road vehicle to autonomously change its functionality by releasing an integrated object, self-driving to a location with a different object, straddling over it, and integrating it, enabling the vehicle to perform various functions such as package delivery and passenger transport by switching between different objects and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an on-road vehicle is designed for a specific function (e.g., carrying passengers), then it can perform that function reliably, but it cannot perform other functions (e.g., delivering packages)
Solution Approach 1:
The on-road vehicle is designed with universal interfaces and attachment mechanisms that allow it to perform multiple functions by integrating different objects. The vehicle can switch between passenger transport, package delivery, and other tasks by releasing current objects and integrating new ones, making a single vehicle design capable of replacing multiple specialized vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through autonomous object release and integration capabilities. The system can dynamically alter its functionality by releasing currently integrated objects and integrating new objects based on task requirements, enabling adaptability without permanent structural changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an on-road vehicle integrates multiple objects to perform various functions, then versatility increases, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments functionality into separate integratable objects rather than incorporating all functions into a single complex vehicle structure. Each object can be independently integrated or released, allowing the vehicle to maintain simplicity while achieving versatility through modular combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle employs standardized interfaces and attachment mechanisms as intermediaries between the vehicle platform and various functional objects. These intermediaries simplify the integration process, allowing different objects to be connected to the vehicle through uniform mechanisms rather than requiring complex custom integration systems for each object type.
3Productivity
If the vehicle autonomously switches between objects and functions, then operational efficiency improves, but control and coordination become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs autonomous object release and integration without external intervention. The control system automatically manages the sequence of releasing current objects, navigating to new locations, and integrating new objects based on received requests, enabling the vehicle to service itself and adapt to new tasks independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous control system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the vehicle's current state, object integration status, and task completion. This feedback enables the system to make intelligent decisions about when to release objects, when to integrate new ones, and how to coordinate the sequence of operations to maintain operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for autonomously altering shape and functionality of on-road vehicles. An on-road autonomous vehicle, which is currently integrated with a first object and thus having a respective certain functional shape, performs a respective certain function. A request is obtained to alter functionality of the on-road vehicle, which consequently releases autonomously the first object, self drives to a location of a second object, and self-integrates with the second object by straddling-over and grabbing the second object, thus switching to a different functional shape and consequently accomplishing said alteration of functionality.