Autonomous Vehicle Turn-Priority Bidding at Occluded Intersections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion planning techniques for autonomous vehicles are computationally intensive and rely on right-of-way rules, which can be inefficient, especially in environments with many autonomous vehicles, and are affected by occlusions in the driving environment.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle system that generates bids for turn priority based on characteristics of passenger trips, such as path distance and ride quality, and communicates with a networked computing system to determine a turn order, reducing computational burden and adhering to a more efficient traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional motion planning techniques process a large amount of sensor signals to determine right of way, then the reliability of intersection traversal decisions is improved, but the computational burden and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating bids for turn priority before actually traversing the intersection. Each autonomous vehicle submits a bid indicating its desired turn priority based on trip characteristics, and the networked computing system determines turn order in advance. This preliminary determination of turn priority eliminates the need for complex real-time sensor signal processing at the intersection, reducing computational burden and time consumption while maintaining reliable decision-making.
2Ease of operation
If conventional motion planning techniques rely on right of way rules of the road, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and efficiency of traffic flow deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static right of way rules to dynamic bid-based turn priority determination. Instead of following fixed right of way rules, autonomous vehicles dynamically submit bids reflecting their current trip characteristics and needs. The networked computing system processes these bids and determines turn order dynamically, allowing traffic flow to adapt to real-time conditions and prioritize vehicles based on overall efficiency rather than rigid rules.
3Measurement precision
If sensor systems are used to perceive driving environment, then the measurement precision of driving conditions is improved, but occlusions prevent complete perception and negatively affect right of way determination
Solution Approach 1:
The networked computing system acts as an intermediary that receives and processes bid information from multiple autonomous vehicles. Instead of relying solely on direct sensor perception which is blocked by occlusions, vehicles communicate their intent and characteristics through bids. This intermediary communication channel provides information about other vehicles' priorities and positions without requiring direct line-of-sight sensor detection, compensating for information loss due to occlusions.
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies described herein pertain to generating a bid for turn priority at an intersection. An autonomous vehicle determines that the autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle are proximate to an intersection. The autonomous vehicle generates a first bid that is indicative of a first importance that the autonomous vehicle traverses the intersection. The first bid is based upon characteristics of a trip of a passenger riding in the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle transmits the first bid to a networked computing system, wherein the networked computing system determines a turn order based upon the first bid and a second bid generated by the second autonomous vehicle. The networked computing system transmits the turn order to the autonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle operates based upon the turn order.