Vehicle Speed Control Using Path Prediction and Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems are ineffective in congested traffic conditions and off-road environments, as they often require manual intervention and are disabled due to minimum speed requirements or wheel slip events, limiting their ability to maintain progress in varying terrains and low-speed scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes torque control, path prediction, detection, and automatic speed adjustment based on detected objects outside the predicted path, using stereoscopic cameras or lidar systems to temporarily reduce vehicle speed and maintain a safe distance, while operating in various driving modes to adapt to different terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cruise control systems are set with minimum speed requirements to reduce low-speed collision risk, then safety is improved, but the system becomes ineffective in congested traffic and low-speed off-road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum speed threshold based on detected terrain type and driving conditions. In off-road modes, the system lowers the minimum speed requirement to enable operation in congested traffic and low-speed scenarios, while maintaining higher thresholds on highways for safety. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and versatility.
2Reliability
If cruise control systems are disabled during wheel slip events to allow traction control intervention, then traction control effectiveness is improved, but the system cannot maintain progress in off-road conditions where wheel slip is common
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a self-service mechanism where the cruise control automatically re-engages after detecting that traction control has resolved the wheel slip event. The system monitors traction control status and resumes speed maintenance once conditions improve, enabling continuous progress through off-road terrain without manual intervention while preserving traction control effectiveness during slip events.
3Ease of operation
If cruise control systems operate at higher speeds on highways, then fuel efficiency and driver workload reduction are improved, but the system is ineffective in congested traffic and off-road environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by integrating multiple terrain detection capabilities and adapting its control parameters accordingly. It functions effectively across highways, congested traffic, and off-road environments by automatically adjusting its operating characteristics based on detected conditions, making it universally applicable while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If automatic speed reduction is implemented when objects are detected outside the predicted path, then safety is improved, but vehicle speed and productivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by implementing speed reduction only when objects are detected outside the predicted path, rather than continuously reducing speed. The system maintains normal speed when the path is clear and only applies the necessary speed reduction when obstacles are present, thereby improving safety without unnecessarily compromising productivity during normal driving conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a speed control system (10, 12) for a vehicle (100), comprising: torque control means (12) for automatically causing application of positive and negative torque, as required, to one or more wheels (111, 112, 114, 115) of a vehicle (100) to cause a vehicle (100) to travel in accordance with a target speed value; path prediction means (10) for predicting a path PP of the vehicle (100) in a direction of travel; detection means (10) for detecting one or more objects (195) ahead of the vehicle (100); determining means (10) to determine whether one or more objects (195) detected by the detection means (10) lie outside the predicted path (PP); and control means (12) configured to, if said one or more detected objects (195) are determined to lie outside the predicted path (PP), automatically temporarily reduce the vehicle speed in dependence at least in part on a distance of the one or more detected objects (195) from the predicted path (PP).