Virtual Bumper Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Vehicle Proximity
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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 adjust its trajectory or speed to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor systems are used for obstacle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the obstacle detection task into two parts: a primary sensor system for general detection and a secondary sensor system for verification. The primary sensor (e.g., camera) performs initial obstacle identification, while the secondary sensor (e.g., Lidar) is activated only when needed to confirm obstacle properties, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously using high-precision sensors for all detection tasks, the system applies partial action by activating the secondary sensor system only when the primary sensor detects a potential obstacle that requires verification. This reduces the effective usage of complex sensors to only when necessary, lowering device complexity while maintaining measurement precision when needed.
2Reliability
If multiple sensor systems are deployed, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of sensor systems based on operational needs. The secondary sensor system is activated only when the primary sensor detects conditions requiring verification, creating a dynamic rather than static sensor deployment strategy. This maintains reliability through selective redundancy while reducing the effective complexity of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary between the primary and secondary sensor systems, intelligently determining when verification is needed. This mediator component coordinates the interaction between multiple sensors, managing the complexity of having multiple sensor systems while ensuring reliable obstacle detection through selective engagement of the secondary system.
3Reliability
If virtual bumper calculations include environmental factors, then navigation safety is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the virtual bumper based on basic obstacle properties first, then progressively incorporates additional environmental factors (weather, road conditions, traffic patterns) only when relevant. This staged approach to calculation maintains safety by including necessary factors while avoiding unnecessary computational complexity from irrelevant variables.
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
Enables autonomous vehicles to safely navigate around obstacles by determining and maintaining virtual bumpers, enhancing collision avoidance capabilities while reducing the need for expensive sensor systems, thereby improving navigation efficiency and safety.
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
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.