Vehicle Software Update Scheduling for Low-Downtime Fleet Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating software in autonomous vehicles require manual intervention by technicians and lack efficient automated systems for scheduling and executing software updates, especially in terms of determining optimal times and locations for updates based on vehicle operational assignments and availability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a dashboard system and update systems that communicate wirelessly with vehicles to schedule and initiate software updates, using data on vehicle locations, operational assignments, and resource availability to determine optimal update times and locations, allowing vehicles to automatically connect with update systems for software updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual software updates by technicians are used, then software can be updated, but operational efficiency is reduced due to manual intervention and increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables vehicles to automatically perform software updates without technician intervention. The vehicle's computer autonomously connects to update systems, receives software updates, and manages the update process, eliminating the need for manual technician involvement and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system schedules software updates in advance during periods when vehicles are not in service. By determining optimal update times based on vehicle operational assignments and availability, the system prepares and executes updates beforehand, minimizing impact on vehicle productivity.
2Extent of automation
If automated update scheduling is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a dashboard system as an intermediary that manages communication between vehicles and update systems. The dashboard system receives information from vehicles, determines update schedules, and coordinates with update systems, simplifying the overall architecture while enabling automated scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the software update functionality into separate components: vehicles with computers that can receive updates, dashboard systems that manage scheduling, and update systems that provide software. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and managed.
3Productivity
If software updates are performed during vehicle operation, then vehicle availability is maintained, but update reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system schedules software updates during periods when vehicles are not in service, such as overnight or during scheduled maintenance windows. By performing updates beforehand rather than during operation, the system ensures both vehicle availability for service and reliable update execution without operational interference.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed herein examples of systems and procedures for performing software updates for vehicles. The vehicles may be scheduled for the software updates based on information related to the vehicles. Update systems may determine when the vehicles have entered service ranges of the update systems for the scheduled software updates and may initiate the software updates in response to determining that the vehicles have entered the service ranges. Progress of the software updates may be monitored and displayed on a dashboard system overseeing the software updates of the vehicles.