Virtual Camera Rotation for Vehicle Turn Trajectory Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle systems struggle to provide an accurate and continuous visual representation of the vehicle's surroundings and projected trajectory during turns, as the virtual camera's orientation remains fixed, failing to adapt to the changing environment.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the virtual camera's orientation by calculating the angle of the turn and applying a camera rotation angle, using a squashing function to smooth rotations, and updating the camera's position relative to the vehicle to maintain a relevant field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the virtual camera remains in a fixed default position during vehicle turns, then the system maintains simple camera positioning logic, but the visual representation fails to show the vehicle's projected trajectory and surrounding environment accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual camera's orientation is made dynamic by continuously adjusting it based on the vehicle's current heading and turn angle. The camera rotates relative to the vehicle body to track the projected trajectory, transforming from a static fixed-position system to a dynamic adaptive system that maintains visual accuracy during maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the vehicle's positioning system and turn detection to continuously update the virtual camera's orientation. By monitoring the vehicle's heading changes and calculating the projected trajectory, the system adjusts the camera angle in real-time to maintain an accurate visual representation of the environment ahead.
2Loss of information
If the virtual camera rotates to follow the vehicle's projected trajectory during turns, then the field of view remains relevant and informative, but the camera rotation calculation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the projected trajectory and determines the appropriate camera rotation angle in advance, before the vehicle completes the turn. By using the vehicle's current heading and predicted path, the camera is pre-positioned to show the relevant environment, ensuring continuous visibility without reactive delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediate calculation layer that processes the vehicle's heading and turn angle to derive the camera rotation angle. This intermediary computation step transforms complex trajectory data into a simplified rotation command, making the overall system more manageable while maintaining environmental visibility.
3Ease of operation
If the camera rotation angle is directly proportional to the turn angle, then the response is linear and simple, but the visual output may appear jerky or unnatural during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the linear relationship between turn angle and camera rotation into a non-linear relationship by applying a squashing function. This parameter transformation smooths the rotation response, making it more natural and less jerky during turns, while the underlying calculation remains computationally efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to adjusting a virtual camera's orientation when a vehicle is making a turn. One or more computing devices may receive the vehicle's original heading prior to making the turn and the vehicle's current heading. Based on the vehicle's original heading and the vehicle's current heading, the one or more computing devices may determine an angle of a turn the vehicle is performing and The one or more computing devices may determine a camera rotation angle and adjust the virtual camera's orientation relative to the vehicle to an updated orientation by rotating the virtual camera by the camera rotation angle and generate a video corresponding to the virtual camera's updated orientation. The video may be displayed on the display by the one or more computing devices.