Watercraft Auto-Docking Using Onboard Dock Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current docking systems for watercraft require manual navigation and rely on sensors at the target dock, making the process stressful and costly, and there is a need for an automated solution that can navigate the watercraft autonomously to a target dock with an intuitive human-machine interface.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft auto-docking system comprising a user interface and a digital controller that selects a target dock, generates a docking path, and autonomously navigates the watercraft using an autopilot system, eliminating the need for manual navigation and sensors at the dock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a docking assist system is used to help navigate the watercraft, then the user can stay on the intended course by compensating for external forces, but the system still requires manual navigation near the target dock and sensors mounted on the target dock which increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft autonomously performs docking operations using its own onboard sensors and processing capabilities. The system detects docks, generates docking paths, and executes autonomous navigation without requiring external dock-mounted sensors or continuous manual intervention, making the watercraft self-sufficient for the docking task
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing and processing functions from the external dock environment and relocates them to the watercraft itself. By using onboard cameras, LIDAR, and GPS to detect docks and calculate docking paths, the system eliminates the need for dock-mounted sensors and transfers all intelligent functions to the moving watercraft
2Reliability
If sensors are mounted on the target dock to enable docking assistance, then the system can provide docking support, but this increases the cost and is problematic when the user wants to dock to a dock without sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on the stationary dock to detect the approaching watercraft, the patent inverts the detection approach by mounting sensors on the moving watercraft to detect the dock. This reversal eliminates the need for expensive dock-mounted sensor installations and allows docking at any dock without special equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses onboard cameras and LIDAR to create digital representations of the dock and surrounding environment. By processing these visual and spatial data copies, the system can identify docks, calculate docking paths, and execute autonomous docking without physical contact or specialized sensors at the dock location
3Ease of operation
If manual navigation is required for docking, then the user can control the watercraft, but the process becomes stressful and requires navigating within the marina while avoiding obstructions and considering multiple environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from onboard sensors (cameras, LIDAR, GPS, depth sounders) about the watercraft's position, speed, heading, and surrounding environment. This real-time feedback is processed by the controller to automatically adjust steering and throttle commands, compensating for external forces like wind and current without requiring user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical control system with an automated electronic control system. The controller uses processed sensor data to generate and execute docking paths autonomously, substituting human manual navigation with computer-based decision-making and actuation through the existing propulsion and steering systems
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft auto-docking system basically includes a user interface and a digital controller. The user interface includes a display monitor. The digital controller includes a processor, a computer memory and an I/O interface. The user interface is connected to the I/O interface. The digital controller is configured to select a target dock based on a user selection from at least one candidate dock displayed on the display monitor using the user interface for docking a watercraft in an auto-docking mode. The digital controller is configured to generate a docking path from a current location of the watercraft to a target location of the target dock. The digital controller is configured to autonomously navigate the watercraft using an autopilot system along the docking path until the watercraft reaches the target location of the target dock.