Virtual Convoy Following Control for Obstacle-Specific Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles in a virtually connected convoy may face obstacles that require different avoidance strategies due to varying dimensions and abilities, leading to potential collisions or unsafe maneuvers when following vehicles cannot traverse the same path as the lead vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A convoy management system that disengages the following mode of the convoy when an obstacle is detected, allowing individual vehicles to independently navigate obstacles based on their specific properties and dimensions, and re-engages the following mode once the obstacle is cleared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles in a convoy maintain following mode to coordinate movements, then convoy efficiency and fuel savings are improved, but safety deteriorates when obstacles require different avoidance strategies for different vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the following mode engagement status based on real-time obstacle detection and vehicle property analysis. When an obstacle is detected, the system determines whether to maintain or disengage following mode for each vehicle based on its specific properties (ground clearance, dimensions, capabilities), allowing the control mode to adapt flexibly to changing conditions and individual vehicle characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different obstacle avoidance strategies to different vehicles within the same convoy based on their individual properties. Instead of a uniform approach, each vehicle receives customized instructions (maintain following mode or disengage) according to its specific capabilities, ensuring that each vehicle's safety requirements are met while maintaining overall convoy coordination.
2Stability of the object's composition
If following mode is maintained for all vehicles, then coordinated movement is improved, but collision risk increases when vehicles have different dimensions and cannot traverse the same path
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters (following mode engagement status) for different vehicles based on their physical parameters (ground clearance, dimensions, capabilities). This allows the convoy to maintain coordination for vehicles that can follow the lead vehicle's path while disengaging following mode for vehicles with different physical characteristics that require alternative avoidance strategies.
3Reliability
If following mode is disengaged for obstacle avoidance, then safety is improved, but convoy coordination and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the convoy into different groups based on their ability to maintain following mode during obstacle avoidance. Some vehicles maintain following mode while others disengage, allowing the system to preserve coordination where possible while ensuring safety where needed, rather than applying a blanket approach to the entire convoy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving obstacle avoidance for a virtually connected convoy of vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an obstacle in a path of a convoy, determining that a vehicle in the convoy is to execute obstacle avoidance based on a property of the vehicle and a physical property of the obstacle, and disengaging a following mode of the convoy responsive to a determination that the vehicle is to execute obstacle avoidance.