Virtual Bumper Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Vehicle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack effective methods to determine and maintain safe proximity to objects in their environment, particularly in complex scenarios where conventional sensors may be costly or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual bumper system using a combination of Lidar and camera sensors to identify objects, determine their properties, and calculate minimum safe distances, which can be adjusted based on object behavior and environmental factors, allowing the vehicle to dynamically adjust its trajectory or speed to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used for obstacle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (Lidar and camera sensors) into an integrated obstacle detection system. The processor fuses data from both sensor sources to achieve accurate obstacle detection and virtual bumper generation, resolving the contradiction by merging sensors rather than using a single complex sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle detection system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting obstacles, determining their properties, calculating safe distances, and generating virtual bumpers. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection precision
2Reliability
If Lidar and camera sensors are combined, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Lidar and camera sensors into a unified detection system where a processor integrates data from both sources. This combination improves reliability by cross-validating detections from different sensor modalities while managing complexity through centralized data fusion architecture
3Reliability
If virtual bumper distance is increased, then collision avoidance is improved, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual bumper radius is dynamically adjusted based on real-time factors including object properties (stationary vs. moving), vehicle speed, and environmental conditions. The system calculates the minimum safe distance required for safe stopping and adjusts the virtual bumper accordingly, allowing tighter navigation when safe and expanding safety margins when necessary, thus resolving the time-safety contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the virtual bumper parameter (radius) based on multiple variables: object detection confidence, relative velocity, vehicle braking capability, and road conditions. By dynamically changing this critical parameter, the system optimizes the balance between collision avoidance and navigation efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the ability of autonomous vehicles to safely navigate by providing a cost-effective and efficient means to determine and maintain safe distances from objects, improving collision avoidance capabilities in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) systems
Implementation Method 2
a combination of Lidar and camera sensors to identify objects, determine their properties
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual bumpers for autonomous vehicles improve effectiveness and safety as such vehicles are operated. One or more sensor systems having a Lidar sensor and a camera sensor determine proximity of objects around the vehicle and facilitate identification of the environment around the vehicle. The sensor systems are placed at various locations around the vehicle. The vehicle identifies an object and one or more properties of the identified object using the sensor systems. Based on the identified object and the properties of the object, a virtual bumper may be created for that object. For example, if the object is identified as another vehicle moving with a certain velocity, the vehicle may determine a minimum space to avoid the other vehicle, either by changing direction or reducing the velocity of the vehicle, with the minimum space constituting a virtual bumper.